I'm not one to entertain a lot. I never have been, but decided to invite a group of friends over for a small luncheon. Here are a few time-saving tips I used that can make your luncheon easy, and can be done prior to the party.
1. Decide on your menu. I decided on cold foods, pasta salad with grilled chicken on the side, potato salad, fresh veggie tray, fruit tray, fixings for a garden salad, and turkey or ham sandwich on wraps or wheat bread with pretzel crisps as a cracker.
2. Decide if you will use china, casual, or even paper or acrylic type plates, cloth napkins, etc. For a small group of friends, I prefer casual, using a variety of items.
3. Gather your dishware and serving pieces together.
4. I pulled out old china that belonged to my MIL, but chose to use a pretty paper napkin found at the Dollar Tree for convenience. You can mix and match, no need to be formal unless that is your choice.
5. I used Dollar Tree glassware, as well, and a tureen from Good Will for holding the pasta.
6. The day before, I placed the serving dishes, tureen, etc. on a side table to see how they would work, since I wanted to serve from there and eat at the main dining table. Setting the pieces out the day before allows you to downsize pieces if space is a problem.
7. Two table cloths and a runner were layered on the dining table.
8. My menu allowed easy prep of the food, which was all prepared the night before, and placed in the fridge. All I had to do was place the foods in the serving pieces when we were ready to eat.
9. I set up a coffee bar on the island using my french drying rack, and a variety of cups/mugs. The brass stand held a variety of yogurts, apple sauces, puddings, just in case someone wanted a bite of something prior to lunch.
Do you have time-saving tips that you use when preparing for a get together? If so leave them in the comments.
1. Decide on your menu. I decided on cold foods, pasta salad with grilled chicken on the side, potato salad, fresh veggie tray, fruit tray, fixings for a garden salad, and turkey or ham sandwich on wraps or wheat bread with pretzel crisps as a cracker.
2. Decide if you will use china, casual, or even paper or acrylic type plates, cloth napkins, etc. For a small group of friends, I prefer casual, using a variety of items.
3. Gather your dishware and serving pieces together.
4. I pulled out old china that belonged to my MIL, but chose to use a pretty paper napkin found at the Dollar Tree for convenience. You can mix and match, no need to be formal unless that is your choice.
5. I used Dollar Tree glassware, as well, and a tureen from Good Will for holding the pasta.
6. The day before, I placed the serving dishes, tureen, etc. on a side table to see how they would work, since I wanted to serve from there and eat at the main dining table. Setting the pieces out the day before allows you to downsize pieces if space is a problem.
7. Two table cloths and a runner were layered on the dining table.
8. My menu allowed easy prep of the food, which was all prepared the night before, and placed in the fridge. All I had to do was place the foods in the serving pieces when we were ready to eat.
9. I set up a coffee bar on the island using my french drying rack, and a variety of cups/mugs. The brass stand held a variety of yogurts, apple sauces, puddings, just in case someone wanted a bite of something prior to lunch.
Sharing here:
Tuesdays at our home @ Our home away from home
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
The Scoop @ Confessions of a Plate Addict
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