Chef, Host, And Party Planner: You Can Do It All With These Party Tips

You've decided to host the party at your house and bravely prepare the food yourself.  Although I prefer to use a caterer, I have occasionally prepared the food myself for one of my informal shin-digs. These are some helpful tips that will keep things running smoothly around the table while still allowing you to enjoy the party.

• Keep things simple. Purchase snacks like chips, dips, salsa, nuts, cold cuts, bread, and prepared salads. This cuts down on prep time in the kitchen. All you’ll have to do is open and serve.  Tip: serve gourmet chips or specialty nuts like wasabi nuts or pita chips to give your snacks an upscale attitude.
• Incorporate healthy dishes based on fruits, vegetables, and grains for those friends of yours that might be on a diet.  This is another easy way to make your food table look fancy.
• Serve buffet-style.  Spread selections of vegetables, dips, finger-foods and pre-sliced meats around the table on small platters.  This will help keep people moving around the food without forming a long line.
• Make it a BYOB and ask your guests to bring wine, beer or soda. This is not considered rude at all if the party is for more than 8 people and an informal drop in get-together.
• Don’t try to manage all of the trash with that tiny container under the sink. Create well placed and clearly marked areas for trash throughout the house. This way you won’t have to change trash bags every five minutes and guests won't have to hunt for a place to discard their trash.
• Be sure to have plenty of ice on hand. There is nothing worse than running out of ice at a party.
• Set and dress your table before your guests arrive.
• Wrap utensils in napkins and place them  for your guests to easily grab and hold.
• Designated an area in your kitchen for storing "refill" food until it is needed.  You will need a shelf in your refrigerator for the cold items, a warm oven for the hot items, and a place on the counter for chips and the like.  This way you can easily refill the buffet table.

The most important tip is to be prepared.  Prepare and store everything that you can the day or at least several hours before the party.  Following these tips will help you throw a successful party that you can enjoy.