Do you fear the entertaining burdens of the Easter season? Sure, it's food and fun for all of your guests but for you it's hours, maybe days of laborious work in the kitchen beforehand and hours of thankless tidying after everyone has left. What if you could throw a get together and party down at the same time? Here's a helpful party-hosting guide for the nervous host.
1) You are not obliged to present your visitors with a three course meal! Whether your guests are friends or family, they will be content with company, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert. If a full meal is a family or holiday tradition, why not go pot-luck and have your relatives bring along their favorite dish while you provide the beverages and a tasty cheesecake for desert? Have your family pitch in. Just because you're holding the party, doesn't mean they can't help out too.
2) As for that delicious cheesecake [http://www.elitecheesecakes.com/index.html]--forget about last minute drives to the bakery!--buy a cheesecake over the internet and have it delivered to your place the day of your party. No need to take time away from the other important household tasks; order several cheesecakes in advance and check "dessert" off of your to do list.
3) What about after-the-party cleaning? One way to cut back on how many dishes used by your guests (in an appetizer or buffet situation) is to use identifying markers for their dishes to keep them from reaching for new ones each time they misplace their own. Many great hosts get wineglass rings that, once placed around the bottom of the glass, serve to identify the glass as theirs. Likewise, distinctive plate ware will aide your guests in identifying and keeping tabs on their plates.
4) If you are fortunate enough to live in the warmer climates, try hosting the party outdoors. Moving the party outside will drastically cut back most of your post-party cleaning. If you happen to live in the north like myself, ask your guests to remove their shoes before entering your house. This strategy will not only make cleaning easier once your guests leave, it will also go a long way towards keeping safe your wood floors and carpets from permanent party damage.
Try some of these time and energy saving ideas and take the stress out of hosting a party. And, before the night is through, don't forget to sneak a bite of that cheesecake! Your guests will enjoy themselves even more if their host is also relaxed and having fun.
1) You are not obliged to present your visitors with a three course meal! Whether your guests are friends or family, they will be content with company, drinks, hors d'oeuvres, and dessert. If a full meal is a family or holiday tradition, why not go pot-luck and have your relatives bring along their favorite dish while you provide the beverages and a tasty cheesecake for desert? Have your family pitch in. Just because you're holding the party, doesn't mean they can't help out too.
2) As for that delicious cheesecake [http://www.elitecheesecakes.com/index.html]--forget about last minute drives to the bakery!--buy a cheesecake over the internet and have it delivered to your place the day of your party. No need to take time away from the other important household tasks; order several cheesecakes in advance and check "dessert" off of your to do list.
3) What about after-the-party cleaning? One way to cut back on how many dishes used by your guests (in an appetizer or buffet situation) is to use identifying markers for their dishes to keep them from reaching for new ones each time they misplace their own. Many great hosts get wineglass rings that, once placed around the bottom of the glass, serve to identify the glass as theirs. Likewise, distinctive plate ware will aide your guests in identifying and keeping tabs on their plates.
4) If you are fortunate enough to live in the warmer climates, try hosting the party outdoors. Moving the party outside will drastically cut back most of your post-party cleaning. If you happen to live in the north like myself, ask your guests to remove their shoes before entering your house. This strategy will not only make cleaning easier once your guests leave, it will also go a long way towards keeping safe your wood floors and carpets from permanent party damage.
Try some of these time and energy saving ideas and take the stress out of hosting a party. And, before the night is through, don't forget to sneak a bite of that cheesecake! Your guests will enjoy themselves even more if their host is also relaxed and having fun.
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