Entertaining Tips for Special Celebrations

• The No. 1 tip is prepare, prepare, prepare. Do as much as you can in advance.
• KISS - Keep It Simple Sweetie - We want to avoid embarrassing food catastrophes. Stick to what you know will work when cooking for company. If you want to try something new, have a "rehearsal dinner" for your family the week before.
• Candles, candles, candles!You can never have too many. Have them at varying heights for a buffet. But always be safe. Candles inside hurricanes or globes are best
• Atmosphere is everything and lighting is a big part of that. Add dimmer switches to other rooms besides than the dining room to create wonderful mood lighting.
• Have your music selected in a stack in advance or in a multi-disc player.
• Napkins are more than just functional. Learn a new napkin fold for an elegant table accent. Be creative and use what you have to create interesting napkin rings - leaves, pinecones, small ornaments as accents. Write your guests names on these and use as place cards.
• Get your children to help out by serving food or checking coats. They feel a part of the fun!
• For a more interesting table, use usual things in unusual ways such as a sombrero to hold chips, a birdhouse feeder to hold napkins, and clay pots to hold bread.
• Enjoy yourself! If you're calm, relaxed and having a good time, your guests are likely to, too.
• For smaller gatherings, it's nice to send your guests home with a memento of the evening. A recipe attached to a main ingredient of the meal or an dip mix in a small bowl tied with ribbon are thoughtful gifts.
• Use presentations such as posting the evening's menu.