Most of us have friends or family who are of different faiths than us. As the holiday's approach and we start planning our parties questions will arise on planning an interfaith party.
Food is the biggest concern when planning an interfaith party. Including your friends with dietary restrictions takes a bit of extra planning and preparation. A cocktail party is a fantastic way to accommodate different dietary needs. By serving finger foods, you can prepare different serving platters based on dietary restrictions or customs. This is especially helpful if your Jewish guests observe kosher laws.
Anytime you host a Christmas/Hanukkah party, you should include kosher foods into your celebration menu. You can purchase kosher foods or you can make them yourself or hire a kosher caterer. I suggest purchasing kosher or using a kosher caterer, that way you know your food has been prepared according to the Jewish tradition.
You will want to make sure the party date does not fall during Hanukkah, which is December 12-19, 2009. Scheduling your party is very important, for both your Christian guests and your Jewish guests. As it gets closer to the holidays, both groups will have their own traditions to keep and religious ceremonies to attend.
Once the date is set and the invitations sent, food and decorations are at the top of the party planning list.
Food & Drink Suggestions
For a cocktail party, finger foods work the best. Try incorporating a few of these kosher food ideas in your menu.
- Potato Latkas(potato pancakes) traditional food for Hanukkah
- Baba ghanouj (eggplant dip)
- Kosher franks wrapped in dough
- Jelly Doughnuts ( jelly filled doughnuts are traditional Jewish food served during Hanukkah)
- Blintzes
- Rugulach
- Wine, water, mixed drinks, soda's are all okay to serve but they must be kosher.
Look for a local kosher deli or bakery, they can also make suggestion for food. If you wish to serve some kosher items found in grocery stores, you can look for kosher symbols on the products. Look for these symbols on soft drinks, wines, mixes for mixed drinks, crackers, chips, dips and other food items.
It is best to serve your food and drinks using plastic plates, glasses, and utensils. Plastic products ensure that your Jewish guest can keep kosher.
Inter-Faith Decorating
For decorations, I suggest using your traditional Christian or holiday items, but include some Hanukkah decorations as well. Items such as Star Of David, dreidel, and a menorah can be easily incorporated with your toher decorations. Think optional holiday colors. Blue and white are good colors to use for Hanukkah celebrations and still appropriate for the season. So forgo the traditional red and green holiday arrangements. Instead use flower arrangements with blue and white flowers or decorations with silver embellishments.
With a bit of effort you can throw a great interfaith party, that shows you care about your guest religious traditions as well as enjoy their company.
This party planning tip was brought to you by WeddingandPartyNetwork.com
A very organised and systematic post, well written! Thanks for the tips.