News » a whole article on your menu so here are a few

Let's face it. If you are stressed Adidas Pure Boost Sverige , agitated and flitting about, your guests will be uncomfortable and won't be able to relax. Here is an easy test of how well you are doing. How many times do your guests ask if there is anything they can do to help? It is reasonable that guests may ask when they first arrive but if you hear the question over and over again, you are doing something wrong.


The Dinner Party:


Do you become a shrinking violet at the mere thought of hosting a dinner party? Here are some quick and easy tips on how to host a successful party and not be too wiped out to enjoy the effort.


Plan it out on paper. Use the basic Who? What? Where? When? How?


Don't over compensate. Your guests will not be impressed by 10 appetizers Adidas NMD Tennis Hu Sverige , 3 entrees and a dessert cart for a sit down dinner party. If you are doing a buffet that is a different situation.


Balance Colors. Bad move: all of the food in a neutral color. This not only indicates that your food choices are boring but are also lacking in nutrition. Good move: Lots of color!


Use the foods of the season. For example: Do not plan a menu using strawberries in the middle of winter as it may be difficult to find any that are top quality. Do use apples, pumpkin, and squash in your fall dinner menus.


Dress to impress'the food that is. Plan a menu that looks elegant Adidas NMD CS2 Sverige , but doesn't consume three days to prepare. It is all in the presentation. The simplest dish can look exquisite.


Have everything staged and ready to go in advance. Your guests will be uncomfortable if you are flitting in and out of the kitchen.


Practice, practice, practice. Use your family for regular practice runs. Always set the table with matching cutlery and dishes and put food in serving dishes. This way you know what you have and are not floundering to figure out how to present your meals to guests.


Here is a quick plan for a holidaywinter dinner party:


Make a list of 6 of your closest friends and invite them over for an evening dinner. If you are in a panic just thinking about dinner for 8 Adidas NMD HU Trail Sverige , you need to register for our Entertaining Workshop but for an immediate fix, read our tips below:


Prepare a simple menu that does not require a lot of ingredients and a lot of stove watching (bird watching is easy in comparison).


For red meat: Salad with vinaigrette dressing, cranberries and nut of choice (pecans Adidas NMD Racer Sverige , walnuts, almonds)


A lamb or beef roast with red potatoes, baby carrots Adidas NMD CS1 Sverige , onions and seasonings


A red wine with dinner. We are partial to Breaux Vineyards Lafayette if you want a local Virginia wine.


Cheese and grapes for dessert


Port or Dessert Wine with dessert




For chicken: Salad with vinaigrette dressing, cranberries and nut of choice (pecans, walnuts Adidas NMD C2 Sverige , almonds)


Champagne Chicken (contact us if you want the recipe)


Saffron Rice


Steamed Asparagus or Broccoli


A white wine with dinner. We are partial to Breaux Vineyards Vidal Blanc if you want a local Virginia wine.


Cheese and grapes for dessert


Sherry or Dessert Wine with dessert


Notice we did not offer a heavy dessert or a lot of food choices. During the holidays we all tend to overeat and a simple but elegant meal is a welcome change.


Larger Parties:


If you feel that you have the small dinner party under control and are ready to branch out to large group entertaining, here are the basic steps to making a gathering a success:


Decide what type of party you are going to have. Cocktail hour, dinner buffet or hors d?oeuvres. This will drive your menu as well as your cost and party supplies.


Determine the area in your house where you want to have the party.




How many people can stand or sit comfortably in this area? This isn't a crowded barnight club. Having to say ?excuse me? and bumping into people loses its charm very quickly.


Check your room arrangement. Is it an open floor plan if you intend for people to stand? Move the furniture out of the way. Bruised shins from coffee tables are no fun. Is it conducive to conversation if you are using your seating areas? Rearrange furniture into conversation areas.


Are there places for people to set drinks? Nervous nelly coaster girlguy is not attractive. If you want your guests to use coasters Adidas NMD Human Race Sverige , have them strategically placed throughout the area ahead of time.


Ventilation: Keep the temperature a little lower than normal in an area that is going to be full of people. It will heat up fast when everyone gets in the room. If you are using candles for ambiance, remember that they add heat to a room.




The ?Bar?: If you are having a cocktail hour, then a fully stocked bar is more essential than if you are having a dinner buffet. Keep these facts in mind.


Bars are very expensive to stock because there are essentials you must have to satisfy the drink needs of your guests.


A bartender is essential if you have a full bar. It doesn't have to be a professionally hired bartender but it needs to be someone who knows hisher way around a bar and the drink menu.


If you are having a dinner buffet where the focus is food rather than drink Adidas NMD R1 Sverige , then make choose signature drinks. Have one or two specialty drinks for your guests that you can make in advance, serve in pitchers or decanters and have on a min self-serve bar. Again there are essentials you must have like an ice bucket but you do not need a fully stocked bar and a bartender in these situations.


The placement of the bar is key. It needs to be in an open, accessible area.




The Menu. We could write a whole article on your menu so here are a few key reminders.