We entertain quite a bit and really enjoy having people over. I thought I might share a few tips that I use when entertaining a large crowd. It can be intimidating having a group of people over whether it's family or friends. With a little organization and advanced planning, you can have a relaxed enjoyable time and still throw a great party.
- Do as much prep work as you can in advance. Make things ahead of time such as appetizers or side dishes and freeze them.
- Have a combination of store-bought and home-made food so that you're not prepping and cooking for days on end. Having people over is supposed to be enjoyable for everyone. It's not much fun if you're exhausted when they arrive.
- Set your platters, dishes, and serving spoons out ahead of time. Label them so you know which serving dish is used for what. That way the giant pot of potatoes don't end up in the little bowl that supposed to be used for corn and now you have no other serving bowls left. This is a good tip if you people helping you in the kitchen. Post-it notes work well.
- If you're having a potluck, put out an assortment of platters, bowls, and serving spoons on the counter so that people can easily grab something for their dish if needed. Some people will bring their serving spoons and have everything ready to go, but others will rely on you to supply things. This way you're prepared.
- If you're having children over and are out of the "kids stage", have some easy activities for them such as colouring, crafts, etc. Put together a box of items such as books and toys for them to play with.
- If you're having a buffet, wrap your cutlery (e.g. knife, fork, etc.) in a napkin and place in a colourful container. When your guests make up their plate, they can pick up their cutlery at the same time.
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