amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
I'm always running around at the last minute like crazy. No matter how much lead time I give myself, it always seems to evaporate.
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What's your best piece of advice for hosting a party?
- Thread starter amanda_pennsylvania
- Start date
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
I'll start. A friend who's done a lot of entertaining had a great piece of advice:
She said that 15 minutes before your guests are due, go brush your hair and put on your lipstick (or the male equivalent thereof), even if the stuff in the kitchen is not done. You can always ask someone to help you with the final prep, but they can't help you get dressed.
This advice just cracks me up, for some reason.
She said that 15 minutes before your guests are due, go brush your hair and put on your lipstick (or the male equivalent thereof), even if the stuff in the kitchen is not done. You can always ask someone to help you with the final prep, but they can't help you get dressed.
This advice just cracks me up, for some reason.
mariadnoca
Moderator
Here is a short day before/day of timeline
Believe it or not I have a much more anal list than this that starts 1 month ahead for when I did sitdown Thanksgivings for 35+ people back in the day.
The Day Before
* Prepare dishes that can be stored in the refrigerator.
* Thaw frozen foods.
* Clean fresh vegetables and fruits.
* Pick up fresh flowers and make floral arrangements. Store in a cool place.
* Set the table.
* Set up food and beverage stations.
* Put serving dishes (and utensils) on tables where they will be placed.
* Clean glassware, plates and silver.
* Buy perishable groceries.
* Plan cooking timetable.
* Complete make ahead foods.
* Set up coffee maker and set timer.
* Make sure everything that needs to be chilled is in.
* Run dishwasher and empty it out.
The Day of The Party
• Go over the house again for a final cleaning check. If necessary, move furniture.
* Prepare the main entree. Allow enough time for poultry and meats to roast and to rest before carving.
• Prepare the foods according to your timetable so everything will finish when needed. (Wash dishes as you go along to save clean-up time later. If you haven't already don't forget to run the dishwasher, so it'll be empty and ready for party dishes.)
• Make sure all foods and beverages to be served cold will be well chilled by party time.
1 Hour Ahead
• Put all the finishing touches on the meal and tables.
• Clear a spot for placing used dishes as guests finish with them, and provide an easily accessible place for garbage.
• Set out cheese and non-perishable appetizers or snacks, if using.
• Finish getting dressed.
5 to 15 Minutes Ahead
• Open wine, if using. Set out remaining appetizers and snacks, if using.
• Light candles and turn on music, if using.
Believe it or not I have a much more anal list than this that starts 1 month ahead for when I did sitdown Thanksgivings for 35+ people back in the day.
The Day Before
* Prepare dishes that can be stored in the refrigerator.
* Thaw frozen foods.
* Clean fresh vegetables and fruits.
* Pick up fresh flowers and make floral arrangements. Store in a cool place.
* Set the table.
* Set up food and beverage stations.
* Put serving dishes (and utensils) on tables where they will be placed.
* Clean glassware, plates and silver.
* Buy perishable groceries.
* Plan cooking timetable.
* Complete make ahead foods.
* Set up coffee maker and set timer.
* Make sure everything that needs to be chilled is in.
* Run dishwasher and empty it out.
The Day of The Party
• Go over the house again for a final cleaning check. If necessary, move furniture.
* Prepare the main entree. Allow enough time for poultry and meats to roast and to rest before carving.
• Prepare the foods according to your timetable so everything will finish when needed. (Wash dishes as you go along to save clean-up time later. If you haven't already don't forget to run the dishwasher, so it'll be empty and ready for party dishes.)
• Make sure all foods and beverages to be served cold will be well chilled by party time.
1 Hour Ahead
• Put all the finishing touches on the meal and tables.
• Clear a spot for placing used dishes as guests finish with them, and provide an easily accessible place for garbage.
• Set out cheese and non-perishable appetizers or snacks, if using.
• Finish getting dressed.
5 to 15 Minutes Ahead
• Open wine, if using. Set out remaining appetizers and snacks, if using.
• Light candles and turn on music, if using.
Try and choose as many make ahead dishes as possible. This is usually first course, desserts and ...
sides. Make them ahead - 1-2 days at minimum and
more if possible.
Plan the table in your mind (especially which serving pieces for EVERYTHING served) and if possible, set the table the day before. This never works for me since someone will invariably pop up the day before and the table will be messed up. But I swear by planning the serving pieces ahead, instead of running around just before looking for that special Morocan piece I wanted to use!!
And very good advice is to be ready. I stop -wherever I am - one hour before and shower and dress and then back to the kitchen to finish. Even if some people come early (and they always do) I can seat them with some drinks and my husband and finish up.
sides. Make them ahead - 1-2 days at minimum and
more if possible.
Plan the table in your mind (especially which serving pieces for EVERYTHING served) and if possible, set the table the day before. This never works for me since someone will invariably pop up the day before and the table will be messed up. But I swear by planning the serving pieces ahead, instead of running around just before looking for that special Morocan piece I wanted to use!!
And very good advice is to be ready. I stop -wherever I am - one hour before and shower and dress and then back to the kitchen to finish. Even if some people come early (and they always do) I can seat them with some drinks and my husband and finish up.
The best advice is to follow the KISS theory: Keep It Simple Sweetheart.
This is easier said than done. Choose make ahead dishes which don't require complicated plating or serving. Try and allow yourself time before guests arrive when you can shower, dress and put your feet up for even 15 minutes.
This is easier said than done. Choose make ahead dishes which don't require complicated plating or serving. Try and allow yourself time before guests arrive when you can shower, dress and put your feet up for even 15 minutes.
You guys work too hard. I plan the meals, and have everything done ahead, even the music selected
and ready for me to hit "play" the day before. I plan my final touches to be completed by 11:00 am the day of the party. I rest the entire afternoon, watch a movie, go over everything once in my head, and forget about it. I get showered and dressed two hours prior to party time, check once more that everything is in place then play on email or whatever until the doorbell rings.
I've found the biggest help is to plan meals that can come out of the refer and served cold or brought to room temp. and grilled. I do not do any last minute preps except for tossing a green salad with the home made dressing, handing hubby the stuff to grill which might be beef, fish, poultry, an assortment of veggies. In winter, I roast in the oven. Even braised meats can be made one day ahead, defatted and simply reheated. I really dislike being stressed prior to entertaining.
and ready for me to hit "play" the day before. I plan my final touches to be completed by 11:00 am the day of the party. I rest the entire afternoon, watch a movie, go over everything once in my head, and forget about it. I get showered and dressed two hours prior to party time, check once more that everything is in place then play on email or whatever until the doorbell rings.
I've found the biggest help is to plan meals that can come out of the refer and served cold or brought to room temp. and grilled. I do not do any last minute preps except for tossing a green salad with the home made dressing, handing hubby the stuff to grill which might be beef, fish, poultry, an assortment of veggies. In winter, I roast in the oven. Even braised meats can be made one day ahead, defatted and simply reheated. I really dislike being stressed prior to entertaining.
Plan the day of, or even the day before and the day of, and block out time periods for certain tasks
I.e, decide ahead of time that you will concentrate on the house/garden the day before; the day of: prep food until noon, then have lunch and set tables and decor until 3:00, then rest, shower, etc. Last minute prep from 5:00 to 6:00.
As each little deadline comes up, just give up what you haven't accomplished. NO ONE WILL NOTICE!
At the very worst, guests love to help, as long as you're not over-stressed.
I.e, decide ahead of time that you will concentrate on the house/garden the day before; the day of: prep food until noon, then have lunch and set tables and decor until 3:00, then rest, shower, etc. Last minute prep from 5:00 to 6:00.
As each little deadline comes up, just give up what you haven't accomplished. NO ONE WILL NOTICE!
At the very worst, guests love to help, as long as you're not over-stressed.
Giving up something is often necessary and is great advice. Even for our Fri. night family dinners,
I always have too large a task and often drop something from the plan by mid afternoon.
Of course that is much better than having made
something and forgotten to serve it - something
I used to do often. LOL Now I make a checklist in
my mind.
I always have too large a task and often drop something from the plan by mid afternoon.
Of course that is much better than having made
something and forgotten to serve it - something
I used to do often. LOL Now I make a checklist in
my mind.
heather_in_sf
Well-known member
I write out the menu and stick it on the fridge. Then set out all the serving ware and serving
utensils so I'm not scrambling when it's time to plate.
After planning the menu, and I don't try out new recipes usually, although I'm breaking this rule Tuesday night, I write out the grocery list too, checking in the pantry for every item. This way you suddenly don't discover you are out of baking powder or something at the last minute.
Then I plan the timeline. I always plan to be done with the setup and as much prep as I can 30 minutes before the start time in case people come early. I would never show up early but people do!
My timeline is written with actual times, I start at what time I want to serve and work backwards, adding a 15-30 minute buffer. Such as roast in: 5:00 pm, check roast temp: 6:30 pm, roast out 6:30-7:00 pm, roast rest until 7:15 pm. It sounds really anal but after I have a glass of wine, the distraction of trying to cook and play hostess, and stay relaxed and smiling, I tend to forget what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. This is posted on the fridge too and some good friends will help me by saying, oh, it's xxx time, can I do that for you? Plus I cross stuff off as I go. It works for me!!
Plus I truly believe in the lipstick thing before people arrive. If all else fails you will look nice in the pictures. And for guys, just put on a fresh shirt in lieu of the lipstick. Not that I judge...
utensils so I'm not scrambling when it's time to plate.
After planning the menu, and I don't try out new recipes usually, although I'm breaking this rule Tuesday night, I write out the grocery list too, checking in the pantry for every item. This way you suddenly don't discover you are out of baking powder or something at the last minute.
Then I plan the timeline. I always plan to be done with the setup and as much prep as I can 30 minutes before the start time in case people come early. I would never show up early but people do!
My timeline is written with actual times, I start at what time I want to serve and work backwards, adding a 15-30 minute buffer. Such as roast in: 5:00 pm, check roast temp: 6:30 pm, roast out 6:30-7:00 pm, roast rest until 7:15 pm. It sounds really anal but after I have a glass of wine, the distraction of trying to cook and play hostess, and stay relaxed and smiling, I tend to forget what the heck I'm supposed to be doing. This is posted on the fridge too and some good friends will help me by saying, oh, it's xxx time, can I do that for you? Plus I cross stuff off as I go. It works for me!!
Plus I truly believe in the lipstick thing before people arrive. If all else fails you will look nice in the pictures. And for guys, just put on a fresh shirt in lieu of the lipstick. Not that I judge...
luisa_calif
Well-known member
Have it at someone else's house...
richard-in-cincy
Well-known member
Plan a menu you can do in advance so that...
you're not in the kitchen cooking when people arrive. That was my old way. I finally gave that up. If I can't make it and hold it for an hour, it's off the menu these days.
you're not in the kitchen cooking when people arrive. That was my old way. I finally gave that up. If I can't make it and hold it for an hour, it's off the menu these days.
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
Yes, I do a schedule with times, too. I could not keep track, otherwise.
amanda_pennsylvania
Well-known member
Hee!