Tips for Easy Entertaining

When preparing for an event, there are several things that should be considered.

1. What type of event would you like to have?
2. What is your budget?
3. Where would you like to hold the event?
4. How many people are you planning to invite?
5. What food and beverage are going to be served?
6. Who is going to prepare the food and beverages?
7. How are the food and beverages going to be served?
8. Who is going to set-up for the event and who is going to clean-up after the event?

These are the basic questions that should be considered when planning your event, no matter the size, budget, location, or menu.

So, let’s break down each item.

Event Type

The type of event could be anything from an afternoon cocktail party to a multi-course dining   experience, a casual bar-b-que to a black-tie gala. Determining the type of event will be the starting point for all your planning. Committing to the type of event is imperative in all the other aspects of creating a memorable experience for all of your guests, as well as you, the host.

Budget

What is your budget? This is going to be a huge factor in determining the “elaborateness” of your event. While you can have a memorable event on almost any budget, The amount you wish to spend will have an impact on your event. This is going to really come into play when you determine the number of guests and what will be served. Once you have decided on your budget you can then move on to the next step.

Location & Invitees

Where you will hold the event and how many people you invite are tied together. And have a large impact on the type of event. If you wish to have 50 people at your home, it is probably not reasonable to have a sit-down dinner. Depending on the size of your home you may also want to look for a venue. The number of attendees will also impact your ability to host on your own. Hiring a caterer is one option, budget permitting though you do not have to hire a caterer. Another option would be considering a small staff and have much of your food offerings prepared ahead or made for you.

Menu

There are numerous factors to consider when determining your menu. The first thing to consider, what are your skills? If you have trouble boiling water, preparing a five course dinner may not be the best idea. That being said, today you can find many options of prepared foods that will make you the host offering the most. As recently as ten years ago, finding prepared foods that could compete with chef made foods was virtually impossible, that has changed. The best recommendation would be to visit your local gourmet market, like Hazel Dean’s. The staff is happy to help with suggestions and ideas to get you started. Or work out your entire menu with you! Whatever your budget they can source appetizers and specialty foods to fit right in. The whole idea is to have an enjoyable event for you as well as your guests, not make yourself miserable by eliminating much of the stress.

Food Prep & Servers

Whether or not you have someone prepare food and serve your guests will, for all practical reasoning, be determined for you. A small, intimate gathering can be handled by you with little help. A large gala is going to require a complete staff. However, many events can be handled by a small staff to keep food replenished and dishes clean.

Set Up & Clean Up

Which brings us to setting up for the event and cleaning up afterwards. This is really just a matter of preference and budget. It is nice to have your space cleaned and ready for your guests as well as cleaned up after the event by a professional staff. Family and friends are also a great source of help for this aspect of the event.

All things considered, one of the best resources for planning and implementing a great event is your local gourmet store. They pride themselves in knowing what is available, what goes together well and how much you’ll need for the number of guests you are expecting. They are most likely your neighbors or friends!

Happy Planning!

– Hazel Dean’s