Someone recently gave us a stack of Organic Style magazines, and one of the issues has some of the coolest ideas for things you can do to ensure that your event or party is a success that we've come across, so we want to share these with you.
When setting up food (either buffet style or a sit-down dinner), think like a caterer--Try for plenty of red, yellow, and green foods. Our note: Or add color with easy garnishes like whole or chopped chives or small grape clusters or flowers.
For sit-down dinners, choose foods that don't need too much use of a knife--Struggling with cutlery impedes conversation. Our note: BTW, European-style holding of cutlery with the knife in the left hand and the fork in the right if you're right handed (or vice versa if you're left handed) means you don't have to switch as in American-style use of cutlery; you push the food with the fork onto the knife without missing a beat! I mastered this years ago and it's so much easier. Try it sometime if you don't already do this!
Act as your own butler--As you take people's coats or purses, inquire about their commute or if they found parking and ask about their children or significant other if they have one. Even if you're busy praise their choice of wine or flowers if they bring them. Then give them their first drink and show them where to get more. Our note: Beware starting heart-to-heart talks when greeting guests as they arrive or you won't be able to greet everyone. So often no one greets anyone at the door anymore at a party or event. If you feel you really will be too busy, ask someone to greet everyone. It's much more welcoming than everyone just wandering in and asking where do we put this? where are the hosts? are we supposed to go out back? where is the bar?, where is the restroom? etc., etc.
Get the conversation going--Ask a couple how they met or seek advice such as whether to buy a specific car, how to sell old jewelry, where to go on vacation, ideas for your parents' anniversary, and so forth. Some kind of advice always gets the conversation going.
Turn on a jazz station in the background, such as upstairs or in a bedroom, or leave a piano open or a guitar out and a guest may play--Unless you're very young, blasting music kills conversation (and if you're very young it does too). Our note: If you hate jazz, how about Brazilian music or world music? This way you have music but it isn't intrusive; no one has to shout but there isn't dead silence. And if a guest starts playing--fun!
Warmly,
Kristina
Fandango Catering and Events
(713) 522-0077
www.fandango-catering.com
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