Holiday Entertaining

Wow Your Guests...Those Little Extras Mean So Much

Going the extra mile, when entertaining for the holidays, need not throw you into a panic attack. Here are a few basic tips to make your guests feel truly special.

#1 Place your fancy dessert plates on a small paper doily. It makes the dessert stand out, and it is simply lovely.

#2 Use a butter mold; or scrape cold butter into curls. You may also soften the butter just enough, so that it is workable, and form it into balls, using a tiny ice cream scoop or melon baller.

#3 Dress your table with candles, along with the mantel. And if you are allergic to candle smoke, have no fear! There are battery operated LED candles, which look, and give light like the real thing. They're wonderful if you have children, as they can be around candles without the danger of harming themselves, and LED's are not a fire hazard.

#4 Fold your napkins into festive shapes; or for an even easier solution, roll them into a tube, and tie with colorful ribbons.

#5 Add a "punch" to your holiday drinks, by floating flavored ice cubes, or a ring mold, in your punch bowl. To your water add grated lemon, orange or lime skins; or place a mint leaf in each cube.

#6 If an arrangement of flowers is out of the question, try a bowl of polished apples and oranges, at the center of your table.

#7 Chill your dessert plates and bowls, for ice cream and frozen desserts; and warm your dinner plates to help keep the hot food hot. Also, chill drink glasses, for a frosty taste, while at the same time remembering that many wines are to be consumed at room temperature.

#8 Serve rolls, breads, and muffins, heated, for a just baked flavor.

#9 Print out a place card, for each guest; which not only contains their name, but also includes the menu for the meal.

#10 Pour wine into decorative decanters, and serve in lovely glasses.

#11 For those who don't drink, add sliced lemon to ice water or mineral water, and serve it in your best goblets.

It is not difficult to make your party an elegant affair, with just a little imagination and creativity. Your guests will thank you, and you will feel as though you have truly given them a happy holiday.

by
Jaye Lewis

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