I recently posted a shortened version of my recent post Hosting a Dinner Party Without the Stress on the HomeGoods Openhouse blog. Click here for the Openhouse version.
Then I just got my Dream Dinner’s email newsletter, and wished I had added their holiday menu to the Openhouse post. I served their menu last year, and it sure helped me to relax and enjoy the holidays better! Here’s what the email said:
Take the stress out of this holiday seasonOur Holiday Side Station is a classic example of how Dream Dinners simplifies your life. Your family will think you’ve spent days in the kitchen! You’ll go home with a savory stuffing with sausage and pecans, a green bean casserole, home –style mashed potatoes with rich gravy and flakey buttermilk biscuits. Schedule your November session today!
Company Coming? Our Easy Entertaining Guide takes the guesswork out of serving a large crowd. Learn everything from how many napkins, plates and beverages you will need, plus our helpful timeline for planning and preparation. Combine these tips with dinners from our November menu and your party will be a huge success!
So there you have it…absolutely NO excuses for punting on holiday entertaining! Enjoy!
For “grown ups” fall is a time of action! It’s time to switch out closets, test the furnace, gear up for lots of holiday entertaining, and finish those nagging little projects to get your home ready for more “inside time” with your family.
But for kids, it’s a whole different story. It’s about getting that perfect leaf pile to jump (or slide) into.
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If you’re like me, sometimes the thought of throwing a formal dinner party for friends is overwhelming when you consider how hard it is just to get dinner on the table every night for your own family. But with the economy being what it is, dining in is becoming a much more attractive option to making a reservation!
It’s time to check those insecurities at the door, and get busy! Even if you are not a seasoned chef (pardon the pun), you can create a fun, warm evening for you and your friends. All you need is food, friends, and ambiance. In other words, if I can do it, so can you! It doesn’t have to be perfect, just sincere. So let’s take the stress out of it, and HAVE FUN!
Tips to defuse dinner party stress
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Even my 2nd grader gets it.
We had new carpeting put in the Master Bedroom yesterday. Once the room was emptied of a king sized bed, armoire, double dresser, 2 night tables and rocking chair, she peaked into the room. Then she said “Mom…why does the room look so small now?”
A vacant room does not appear “spacious” or “open to possibilities” to a prospective buyer. Rather, it looks, well…empty and small.
Out of the mouth of babes, huh?
Not just any party, but a Décor Exchange Party, where each guest brings an unused accessory to auction for charity.
Here’s how it works. Ask each guest bring an accessory that they just don’t use anymore (such as a vase, picture, sculpture, wine rack, serving platter…you get the idea). Set them up in good retail fashion on table(s) so everyone can view them. Then hold an auction for each item. Keep the mood light and fun, and then donate all proceeds to a favorite charity.
Want to make it interesting? Have each person give a sales pitch for their item, then award a prize for the person whose donated accessory brings in the most money for charity (perhaps a HomeGoods gift card?). That will help limit the number of plastic garden gnomes you get.
Why?:
- Helps purge stuff in the basement or attic
- Brings fresh decorating ideas
- Going to a party costs less than dinner and a show
- Laughter is the best medicine in uncertain times
- Helping others less fortunate than you puts things in proper perspective
Want to take is up a notch? Invite a professional Interior Redesigner or Home Stager to the party, and encourage each person to bring a picture of a room they would like to update (from several angles), and everyone can brainstorm ideas for that room.
Ok, now that you’re sold on the idea, let’s make it fabulous:
- Food/Drink: keep it simple and finger friendly. Serve a signature drink, but also have wine, beer and soda available. You can also ask guests to bring an appetizer to share to keep the costs down.
- Ambiance: Think like a retailer. Play Pottery Barn CD’s to get that shopping vibe. Brew a pot of java for that warm coffee-house smell. Light candles and put a fire in the fireplace.
- Invitation idea – see image at top of article.
What other ideas do you have to make a Décor Exchange Party a success?
