Entertaining With Ease

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One of my favorite things to do is entertain.  I love creating a guest list, planning a meal, and dreaming up charming and unique ways to decorate our home.  When we first bought our house and hosted our initial family gatherings or informal cocktail parties with friends, I always felt overwhelmed and completely stressed out.  I found that I was rarely prepared and would spend the majority of my time running around, serving food, and cleaning up.  I realized that by doing this, I was not enjoying myself at all and most likely made my guests feel uncomfortable.  After reading Ina Garten’s tips for easy entertaining, I began to rethink my approach.  I discovered that if everything was organized ahead of time and if I was willing to let the small things go, I would be able to relax and interact with our guests in the manner that I had envisioned.  Now, I’m comfortable with serving meals at room temperature (examples: roast chicken or an orzo salad actually taste better this way!), I’m not afraid to accept help when I need it, and I never turn down someone’s offer to bring a dish or dessert.   Here is a guideline that I go by whether we are hosting a large party or an intimate get together:

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Bar Cart: You don’t have to own a bar cart per say. Any table will do.  The idea is to have a fully stocked bar where guests are free to help themselves.  Trust me.  This is much better than taking everyone’s drink order.  I always make sure to provide an ice bucket, red and white wine, several choices of liquor, tonic and club soda.  A plethora of glasses is a must as well as cocktail napkins and I usually include a small bowl of lemon and lime wedges as well.

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Mini Appetizers:  Have you ever had that awkward moment where you’re trying to balance a drink in one hand and eat something with a fork?  Well, I have and it’s not fun.  So, I prefer to serve no fuss one bite appetizers.  As much as I like to create different and interesting concoctions, at the end of the day, guests usually gravitate toward the tried and true…pigs in a blanket, grilled cheese squares, or mini hor d’oevres such as crab cakes or quiche.  Unless it’s quick and easy to make, I buy the frozen version and pop them in the oven twenty minutes before guests arrive.  The house smells inviting and it’s something everyone seems to appreciate.

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Lighting and Music:  Ambiance is key.  No one wants to walk into a party where you’re greeted by harsh lighting and a quiet setting.  I love entering a home that’s full of life…music playing, the smell of food from the kitchen and lovely, soft lighting.  I tend to go by the rule that scented candles belong in the bathroom whereas unscented votives can be scattered throughout the house.  I think music should start out low key, build and then settle down at the end of an evening.  My favorite playlists are anything by John Coltrane, Frank Sinatra, or Harry Connick Jr.  For something livlier, I like Buena Vista Social Club or something country like Kenney Chesney.

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Flowers: I live by Barefoot Contessa’s advice which is to display small vases filled with a few stems of one type of flower.  In the spring and summer, I simply step outside my door and pluck whatever is growing in my garden and place them in little mason jars or small glasses. During the colder months, I usually opt for tulips or roses and cut their stems down for mini arrangements.

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Dessert: As much as I love a generous slice of cake, I find that guests prefer bite sized options.  So, typically, I’ll buy mini brownies, cupcakes, or petit fours.  Everyone seems to enjoy these with a cup of coffee (or an after dinner drink) at the end of the night.  And I savor mine after everyone has gone home and we have tidied everything up.  It’s the little treasures we look forward to the most, isn’t it?