guests Archives - Impressions

7 Secrets to Confident Dinner Party Success

Know your limits: When hosting a gathering start by knowing how much you can or want to take on. Your daily schedule, budget, amount of space available and cooking ability will all factor into this. Taking on too much is the downfall of so many. Being comfortable and confident is the first step to success.
Pick the right menu: The menu is more than just the tasty meal. It is the key to success. Plan a menu that highlights your skills – use recipes that you are confident with and choose things that can be done in advance.
Create a plan: Plan out the steps in as much detail as you need and space things out so that you don’t have to do everything at once. When you write down the plan of activities, you can easily see if you are overcommitting in an area. Now you can arrange to make it easier rather than stressing at the last minute, because you did not think about how much time it would actually take to make a particular item. You can also factor beverages, decorations and any little extras like music or favors into this plan as well if desired.
Prep in advance: This works in hand with picking the right menu, most items can be made in advance like soups, breads, some side dishes, sauces and desserts. Some items even get better if made in advance and others can even be frozen. Use this to your advantage. Cooking all day can be tiring and take the fun out of it, but little projects over a few days is manageable and fun.
Manage the dishes: When you prepare items in advance, it also helps, as you will have less dishes to clean up before your guests arrive. For me I always like to have my dishwasher empty so that once a dinner is finished plates easily get loaded in and washed as we enjoy the dessert. If you don’t have a dishwasher or you have too many dishes for one load designate a corner space in the kitchen or tub to stack dirty dishes in. That keeps everything together and out of the way to be handled later. I love those large cardboard tote boxes that are sold at grocery stores – they are inexpensive and if they get too dirty I can just recycle them after use.
Engage with guests: Once your guests arrive your advance preparation and wise menu choices should leave you plenty of time to welcome and engage with your guests. If this is not happening make a mental note for adjustment next time. Remember you invited people over so that you could be with them not spend the entire time cooking or cleaning.
Recap and repeat: Like with most things in life practice makes perfect. When the party is over take a moment to think about what really worked and went well and also make note of things that may not have worked as well as planned or things you would like to add or do differently next time. The more you entertain the easier and more confident and flawless your experience will be.

For more information on how to host the perfect stress-free parties contact Rachel today!

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.

Outdoor Comfort, Essentials for Entertaining

Outdoor entertaining has so many simple wonderful aspects but the joy of being out in the fresh air and sunshine can quickly turn sour if you forget to mange these few key comfort areas. If your guests are not comfortable they are not going to stay.

Bugs: Living in Minnesota the bugs are the number one issue and the quickest demise of outdoor gatherings. Mosquitos are most active at dawn and dusk so plan accordingly if out at these times to protect your guests. Plan in advance for large gatherings and get an eco-friendly service to spray your yard, stock up on citronella candles, start a bonfire, light decorative torches or lanterns.

Remove sources or standing water which can be breeding grounds for mosquitoes, check things such as birdbaths, wading pools, garden pools, clogged gutters and buckets that may have collected rain water.
Place a cut orange or a half full can of soda pop away from the party area to attract bugs to this location rather than your party.
Serve drinks in clear plastic cups as cans and bottles are good hiding places for insects when you are not looking.
Keep food stations covered if possible.
Manage the trash by keeping garbage cans accessible to guests but away form main gathering areas and keep them covered if possible to minimize attraction to bugs.
Feeling crafty try out this recipe for homemade citronella candles.

Sun: The sun can often cause more damage than good. Be sure there are ample places for guests to rest in the shade of a tree, tent, even large umbrellas or have an option to escape to an indoor area.

Dirt: Let’s face it: you’re outside, the kids are running around – it’s bound to get dirty at some point. Allow guests the ability to wash up easily without having to run to a restroom. Provide hand wipes and a hand sanitizer, or if you want to go the extra mile – warm folded cloths or disposable thick towels. Remember to keep food safety in mind: check out week #1 if you missed what you need to know before you dish up. Food poisoning is never a good thing to give guests as a memory.

Seating: Your guests need a place to relax, make sure you have ample seating but make it conducive to mingling. Set up little sitting areas for 3-6 people. Avoid lining seating in a circle unless you plan to give a demonstration. If you don’t have enough chairs use blankets, large towels and outdoor pillows to make comfortable seating on the ground. If you are eating, it is wise to have a few extra blankets on hand just in case someone spills, so you can have one to eat on and one to relax on.

Extra Thoughts: It is a great idea to have an outdoor party basket equipped with a few essentials you may need like bug spray, sunscreen, wet wipes and Band-Aids that guests can help themselves to, for a complete list click here

Pick up your copy of The Pretty Plate for more simple techniques and recipes, and learn about the five elements to make your everyday meals magnificent.