{Tips and Tricks}
1. COSTCO Membership - When hosting events, you never want to run out of anything (food, drinks, toilet paper!). My Costco membership ensures we always have a stock of household needs including paper products, cleaners, garbage bags and more. It's also a great way to get more for the money. Hosting a party can be quite expensive and shopping at Costco for some of your food items will help stay on budget and ensure you have enough for the event.
2. Set out all of your dishes, ramekins and platters beforehand so it will be easy to set the table once the food is complete. I also use sticky notes to label what food goes on what platter. It helps to organize everything before so you're not fumbling around, looking for matching platters at the last minute.
3. Buy wine in bulk. Almost all, if not all, wine stores and outlets provide a discount on bulk purchases. Hosting a dinner party, cocktail party or just having some friends over, always take advantage of this deal. Most of the time you can get 10-15% off 6 bottles or more. Remember to get a variety of wines so you can please every palate.
4. Reuse household items to decorate for your party. You won't believe how you can jazz up a party by using household items you already have! Christmas lights are a great addition under a food table, or hang from the ceiling to illuminate your next dinner party. Use shoe boxes, turn them upside down and use them as stands for food items on your next buffet table to add height. Use picture frames and print out menus or cocktail recipes, etc and place them around your next party to guide guests throughout your party.
5. Choose a theme for your next party. It's so much easier to compile a menu, decorations, place cards and more when you have a theme to follow. The ideas will start flowing as soon as you nail down a color, region, etc. This also makes for a more focused vision and your party will appear more organized and it will WOW your guests.
6. Time your recipes. If you’re cooking multiple courses or a bunch of food like Thanksgiving, you’ll need to time when to start all the different recipes. I always allow 30-45 minutes before dinner time as a time to relax and welcome guests as they arrive. You don’t want to be running around last minute as people are arriving. Enjoy a glass of wine with them instead!
7. Bake sweets early. Serving baked goods with your meal? Most of the time, these recipes can be done early, if not the day before. Go ahead and get this out of the way before dinner party day.
8. Diversify how you cook recipes. Could some recipes be made in the crockpot? Or toaster oven? When cooking multiple dishes at once, you may need the oven space. This is where timing comes in too.
9. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! If you don’t mind friends or family assisting in the kitchen, let them help out. Or if they offer to bring a favorite dish, delegate. Hosting doesn’t have to fall all on your shoulders!
10. Remember the small things. An empty dishwasher and trash can in the both the kitchen and bathroom are must haves. Make sure there is space in the coat closet for guests coats if your party is in the winter months. Place cards are always a nice touch to any dinner party. You can design and print these days in advance for a personalized touch. Set the mood with seasonal candles in the entryway and bathroom. It’s always cozy to walk into a nice smelling home. And you can’t forget the music! I typically turn on a Pandora station, my favorites are Hipster Barbecue Radio and Hipster Cocktail Party Radio. Obviously, holiday music playlist is ideal for that time of year. If possible, link bluetooth speakers around the home so it’s the same music when you go from room to room. I have Alexa’s linked throughout my main floor.
