Art_Of_Entertaining_2016

Planning Your Event
Entertaining – Planning your event
You are hosting a party! That is why you are reading this book! Since many of us want to live a healthier lifestyle serving a gluten free
menu to our guests can be creative and entertaining. I will share some delicious and healthy choices of appetizers and meals with your
guest, so let’s be sure make it amazing for them!
Of course with any event the type and date is always the first to be decided on. As you start this process organization is the key. Create a
guest list and gather all address information for the proper invitations. Preparing your guest list is a key to a successful party. It sets the
basis for food volume, arrangement of space and often time of the event as well. For example, gatherings with small children may do well
planned earlier in the day.
When to invite is always a bit of a debate in this age of internet, still proper invitations are always a great way to show the theme of your
event and assure all the details are clear and precise in writing. For formal events most will agree that 8 weeks prior to the event is proper.
With less formal affairs 2-4 weeks is always helpful to your invited guest. The sooner the better is always best, but don’t find yourself
stressed with a short noticed event, you can still extend a proper invitation, but avoid emails or text messages and do it the old fashioned
way with a personal phone call. Save the Date announcements are simply fabulous when a formal event is being held during the busy
holiday season, the event will require travel by several out of town guest, or weddings. For these occasions it is best to inform guest
6 months in advance, 8 months for destination weddings. Be sure your invitations include time and place, as well as attire. Is the event
casual? business casual? Or formal? Be sure to include a date for the RSVP. This will help again with deciphering exact amounts of food
and drink to be served. It is in fact OK to simply have Regrets only on your invitation.
When choosing you invitations go with your theme! It is a celebration so let’s do it right! Be sure to indicate what the reason for the
gathering is, even if it’s “Girls Night”, make the invite reflect the theme of the affair that is awaiting your guest! Be creative and have fun!
When viewing your venue for the gathering, whether your home or somewhere else, you must always think of the flow. Don’t be afraid to
move or change around existing furniture and tables. You may even want to remove a few pieces from rooms you feel guest will gravitate
towards. Kitchens are always a big gathering spot in home parties. Utilize the space in your kitchen from tables to island and counters.
With other rooms, anything can become a service spot with a simple covering of unique fabrics or detailed table dressing. Just cover a
coffee table or end table and you have an instant buffet area for hors d’ oeuvres . Presenting some items in one room and others elsewhere
will help keep the guest moving and mingling at cocktail parties and gatherings. For formal dinners, you may want to serve the appetizers
in one room and then announce for dinner service in the dining area.
Make sure you plan enough seats for all of your guests. If you are serving a formal dinner you want to set your table 2 days in advance so
you know if there are enough chairs for everyone and if you need to make any adjustments. If you are serving small plates and people will
be moving from room to room then plan a station for your food. This will allow everyone to go to one area for the food then they will know
where to go to enjoy their dishes.
© Cindy’s Table
www.CindysTable.com
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