When Entertaining...

[MISSINDI]

... when you have pre-dinner munchies before you sit down, what do you put them on? I don't have a coffee table, and I want to be able to have some nibbles available in the LR as guests are coming and I'm finishing up in the kitchen, before we sit down for formal appetizers and the rest of the meal. Failing anything else, I've been putting out a TV tray or two, but would really like to use/buy something nicer that I can put out when the need warrants it. Any suggestions?

[Sadiedog's mom]

Can you put two or three together and throw a cloth over them? Really anything would work with a cloth over it since no one would notice the difference. You could even use a cardboard box or plastic bin. Use a tablecloth or even sheet.

Or strap a tray to the dog and have him walk around like a waiter ; )

[MISSINDI]

Originally posted by Sadiedog's mom
Can you put two or three together and throw a cloth over them? Really anything would work with a cloth over it since no one would notice the difference. You could even use a cardboard box or plastic bin. Use a tablecloth or even sheet.

Or strap a tray to the dog and have him walk around like a waiter ; )

Thanks for my laugh of the day -- you've met Eli. Can you imagine him with a tray of food strapped to his back? Let alone standing still for half a milisecond?

I was just thinking about this ... maybe one of those bar carts from Pottery Barn or Crate & Barrel? The only problem is then I have a big item to store when not in use, you know?

[tbb113]

Could you use your end tables? (assuming you have some in the room). What flat surfaces do you have in there? Could you use a shelf in a bookcase?

[Kathy B]

How about a card table with a nice cloth thrown over it as mentioned above? They are easy to fold up and put away, but come in handy for a lot of things. If you are only setting out a couple of things, you can add some kind of centerpiece as well, like a few candles, a vase of flowers, whatever.

[MISSINDI]

There's one end table, but it has a light on it, so would be a bit of a pain to move. I think card table would be too big and look like a regular table, you know? I guess I was looking for something a bit fancier... that I could easily put away when not in use. Perhaps something doesn't exist?

[Julie O]

How about one of these? http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-16/qid=/ref=sr_1_16/601-4965936-8580104?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B0000A8XNU

I've been eyeballing this one for a while for the same application, and now it's on sale.

[patissac]

We have something very similar on what julie suggested, after use we store it in our garage. I had to get one because at the time we didn't have a coffee table, so now there's even more space to serve food!
Missindi just wanted to let you know that I made the chocolate trifle you posted a while ago on the BB and it was a hit at my work's potluck yesterday, thanks!

[Aubergine]

since you're due to be moving soon, to what i can only imagine will be larger (not smaller) quarters, it seems to me it would make sense to hold off until you're installed in the new place. unless you'll be hosting formal sit-down dinners weekly until then--??

the Target piece is handsome but still pricey, imo. if a collapsible table is too large (i would have suggested a $40 60x30 buffet table with a cloth, rather than a card table), there are still solutions more elegant than folding snack tables.

for example, Bed Bath etc. sells those round particleboard tables with the 3 screw-in legs -- not the $4 k-mart kind, these are larger, although a pair of the smaller ones might work, too. 1-2 of those, with a table round and a glass topper (all easily stored and not expensive) would be a classy solution with infinite possibilities.

another would be to get some MDF and/or glass cut (whatever shape you'd like, round, square, rectangular) to fit on top of your end table to enlarge its size for those occasions.

or, you could create a small, inexpensive, "collapsible" long & narrow coffee table with a couple of glass bricks and a glass topper.

you could go to Michaels and get a couple of plaster pedestals for $20/apiece with a narrow glass topper, if you wanted something higher.

heck, you can improvise a glass table with anything as a base; i've seen some cute ones that used things like a large flower pot, or a large strudy basket... you get the idea.

[newtricks]

Originally posted by Aubergine
since you're due to be moving soon, to what i can only imagine will be larger (not smaller) quarters, it seems to me it would make sense to hold off until you're installed in the new place. unless you'll be hosting formal sit-down dinners weekly until then--??

the Target piece is handsome but still pricey, imo. if a collapsible table is too large (i would have suggested a $40 60x30 buffet table with a cloth, rather than a card table), there are still solutions more elegant than folding snack tables.

for example, Bed Bath etc. sells those round particleboard tables with the 3 screw-in legs -- not the $4 k-mart kind, these are larger, although a pair of the smaller ones might work, too. 1-2 of those, with a table round and a glass topper (all easily stored and not expensive) would be a classy solution with infinite possibilities.

another would be to get some MDF and/or glass cut (whatever shape you'd like, round, square, rectangular) to fit on top of your end table to enlarge its size for those occasions.

or, you could create a small, inexpensive, "collapsible" long & narrow coffee table with a couple of glass bricks and a glass topper.

you could go to Michaels and get a couple of plaster pedestals for $20/apiece with a narrow glass topper, if you wanted something higher.

heck, you can improvise a glass table with anything as a base; i've seen some cute ones that used things like a large flower pot, or a large strudy basket... you get the idea.

Wowza, Aubergine, you are creative! Will you come to my house and whip it into shape?

Missindi - Is tonight the night for you party? Have fun!

[MISSINDI]

Aubergine, you're just too practical! :) Hold off until I move? Geesh, where's the fun in that? We have 3 more dinner parties scheduled between now and the first week in February. I was trying to cover everyone, then I can pack up some of my entertaining pieces, you know? The one Julie posted is what looks to be a perfect fit, but I was concerned by the reviews. Yup, Barbara, dinner party tonight. Never did make it down to Rose City, and was going back and forth on it. Decided to do Cinnamon Bars, Creme Brulee and Strawberries Pazzo -- little bites of a few different so people can have each one without guilt, you know? Of course, everything subject to change. :D In fact, off the LNT to search for tinier ramekins for the creme brulees. While I'm there, I'm going to look to see if they have any fixes for my cocktail table situation as well. Our living room is small (cozy), so something too big will look funny and be overwhelming. And yes, Aubergine, moving to a bigger house. :D

[newtricks]

Missindi-

I like that idea of small desserts!

[Lrimerman]

You might want to check out a Costco, Sam's or Home Depot.

I know at Costco they have the lifetime tables in various sizes, the smallest one is a bit bigger than a TV tray table, but much sturdier. My grandma has one and it might work good for what you are looking for and would be useful for other things. Just drape a cloth over it and it would look nice.

Lisa

[Terri_A]

Do you have an ottoman of any kind? I don't have a coffee table, but a large ottoman where one would go and I have several large wooden serving trays I picked up at Pier One that I place on the ottoman anytime I have company.

[MISSINDI]

Thanks, Barbara! I do still plan to go get the grown-up hostess cupcakes. ;)

Lisa - that's a good idea. I think I'll go to BJ's and see what they have tomorrow. I always like the wholesale clubs furniture. Great, sturdy pieces at excellent prices. We bought bunk beds in December. $299 and nice wood, sturdy as anything.

Terri - no ottoman. I'd like to get one but with the house going on the market in March, I'm trying to hold off on buying more substantial furniture until I see what the next house will look like, you know? That's a great idea though. :D

Since I'm out of time for tonight, think it will be a covered tray table in the meantime. :)

[funniegrrl]

This is what tilt tables are made for. They aren't very common any more, but they're handy. They are usually small round tables, and the top is on a hinge. When you aren't using it, it tilts up, perpendicular to the floor, then you can push it against a wall. A lot of the ones I've seen have a decoratively painted top, so it's like a "picture" when the top is facing out.