Create a unique way to give to those who support you. Lifetime friends, dear neighbors, a tight-knit family or great co-workers whose support and friendship help you to be happy and successful throughout the year all are worthy of a party. The group can be from any area of your life that you want to celebrate. And this time of year, the holidays provide a perfect backdrop.
EAT, DRINK & BE A GREAT HOST
Regardless of whether you are providing appetizers or choose to serve a more substantial meal, the key is to keep the spread simple yet visually appealing. You want to visit with your friends, not run frantically from the kitchen to the serving area to the door greeting guests. No one enjoys seeing a host spend most of their time preparing and serving food and drinks than visiting with their guests.
Mood Foods
Spud Bar
Chives, bacon, sour cream and cheese assortments can flesh out this theme. Make potatoes ahead of time, wrap them in aluminum foil and keep them warm in an oven until party time.
Soup Bar
Offer a broth-based, cheese-based and a chili along with a variety of crackers and toppings. Use small ramekins so everyone can try multiple soups. Again, make these ahead of time. Borrow Crock-Pots to keep everything steaming hot
Taco Bar
This is all the rage with many restaurants specializing in Mexican fare. You really can’t go wrong here. Before guests arrive, arrange all the basic ingredients (and a few they don’t expect — shredded cabbage, spicy shrimp maybe?).
Waffle Bar
Morning people may prefer brunch. This is always a hit with a variety of syrups, fruit toppings and whipped cream. Get several waffle makers going at once and let guests make their own. Ample kitchen counter space is a must for this one.
Appetizer Board
Keep it simple with olives, nuts, bread chunks and crackers. Layer in dried apricot and apples alongside salami and assorted sausages. This is an easy, pick-as-you-go party food idea. Dust off that punch bowl and serve a make-ahead signature cocktail.
While these ideas are all easy-to-prepare foods and shoestring-budget-friendly, how you set it up will make it fun and festive. Go ahead and layer plaid fabric or set out placemats with candles and bowls. Or tuck in ornaments and fresh greenery from the yard. Use mini-chalkboard signage to identify toppings, cheeses and other tidbits.
PARTY FAVORS WITH A PURPOSE
Easy and inexpensive party favors can help build a party theme and provide simple yet thoughtful gifts for your guests to take home. Local craft and dollar discount stores are excellent resources for unique items
Here are a few suggestions:
- Mini liquor bottles wrapped in crunchy cellophane and tied to a canning jar suggest a cocktail for later enjoyment
- Who doesn’t like a gift in a jar? Think of a food or sauce that you often make and prepare a bigger batch. Jar some, or put the ingredients to make it in a jar with a personalized tag attached.
- Make mini loaves of nut or pumpkin bread and wrap them in cellophane (it’s always festive). A tag saying “Grateful friends like you” will keep the warm thoughts going long after the celebration ends.
- Consider the gift time this season, all wrapped up like a party.
CHOOSE YOUR SPOT
A celebration can take place at home, a party center, a private room in a local restaurant or a bowling alley — basically anywhere you feel comfortable and that fits your budget. Consider a happy hour open house with festive food and thoughtful décor.
To get started, choose a theme and use the holiday decorations you already own. Remember, color, texture and shine heighten the anticipation for your guests. Sparkle, especially during the holidays, sets the mood.
Make the event the start of an
afternoon. Invite friends over for cocktails and appetizers before heading out to one of Northeast Ohio’s trendy restaurants.
Another option is to go with heartier foods like a soup bar before going to a local football or basketball game or a movie. No matter the style, the act of inviting others to your home or elsewhere is a shared intimacy that guests appreciate. People like to be invited to do things because organizing or hosting an event can seem daunting. It need not be.
Money Stuff
Save money while throwing a fabulous party. Go online for craft store coupons and use them to buy a huge box of ornaments to put in glass bowls or vases for more sparkle. Add bundles of faux greenery for filling in a table setting — you can use it year after year from Halloween to New Year’s. Try to avoid the typical orange, red and green. Stretch the season and amp up for a more glamorous celebration by using gold, silver, black and white.
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