Fandango Catering and Events Offers 6 Last-Minute Holiday Event Tips

In our continuing blog series, "Holiday Entertaining," Fandango Catering and Events offers 6 last-minute tips for hosting a holiday gathering this week or next week. Ready?



Make a list of what still needs to be done and check off tasks, such as planning/buying/making beverages or food, as you do them. This is not the time to rely on memory!


Always offer a non-alcoholic option--Punch is retro-trendy this year, served from a contemporary or vintage punchbowl. Float a few slices of orange or cherries on top for a decorative effect. For festive punch recipes, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, see http://www.punch-recipe.com/



If you're stumped for something different to serve, try tamales with a great sauce, such as a chipotle cream--tamales are BIG at holiday time at parties in LA, New Mexico, and many parts of Texas. Another idea is an artisan cheese tray with several good breads and fruit--here the key is emphasizing the cheese and its quality and on a nice presentation (you can buy doilies and it will make a world of difference). There should be 2/3 of the tray composed of the cheeses and the other 1/3 composed of the bread and/or fruit. Serve the cheese tray with wines and/or artisan beers.


If you don't have much time, concentrate on buying or making savory food--You still want to offer a dessert, of course, but typically people will eat more savory than sweet food and often as many as 1/3 of guests won't have dessert at all. The exception to this is if it's a dessert-only party.

If you purchase prepared food or have it delivered, remember to put it on a nice tray, platter, or plate--Nothing looks worse at a holiday party than purchased food still in a utilitarian box! Some food gift boxes are very attractive but we feel that they look jarring if trays or plates are used to serve the rest of the food.

Put out lots of cocktail napkins in your beverage area as guests typically use more of these with their beverages than they do of napkins for food.



Warmly,



Kristina



Kristina Ríos de Lumbreras, Ph.D.
Director of Sales & Operations
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
(281) 796-9841