Presentation Makes Perfect

Creating a fun and inviting atmosphere for your guests is the key to a successful party. Part of that has to do with presentation. If your guest walk in and say "Wow, everything looks great!", then you feel good, they feel good, and you're on your way to a good time. First of all, keep in mind the type of party you're planning. If there's a theme or a special event you're celebrating, incorporate that into your presentation. We'll talk about special themes in future articles, but if you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me. Next, it's not necessary to spend a fortune. You can throw a party on just about any budget and still have things look nice. Go through your cupboards and see what you have. I have a pretty pressed glass serving plate that was my grandmothers, and it looks great under a cheesecake or laden with cookies. The small, stainless steel chafing dish my mother gave me is the thing for hot meatballs. There's a fondue pot, a two-tiered china candy server, a couple black plastic trays, and lots of baskets. Yes, you can set a plastic tray next to a chafing dish! Things do not all have to match, there are no rules! If you're setting up a buffet table, cover it in a pretty tablecloth. Try setting a small box or two towards the back of the table and drape a smaller, matching or contrasting tablecloth over each one. This creates levels on your table so that things are not all sitting on the same flat surface. It's an interesting and professional looking effect. Set lighter weight pieces on these, like big bowls of chips. Take some of those baskets collecting dust around your house, and wash them in warm, soapy water at least a day or two before your party. Line them with inexpensive, cloth napkins, and fill with chips, pretzels, and nuts. If it's autumn, scatter a few artificial leaves on the table. If it's a winter holiday, buy a little package of silver confetti in shapes like stars and snowflakes. Sprinkle these over the table. In the spring and summer, use green silk leaves and/or flower petals. Once you've arranged everything on the table, add a few small, votive candles here and there. As you can see, a little imagination goes a long way! Your guest will think you're amazing!

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