One of my favorite things about having a house is entertaining! Whether it's for one person or twenty, I love opening my home to friends and family! I want them to feel welcome and relaxed, and in trying to do that I focus on one main thing: presentation. I typically don't add much extra home decor for my get-togethers other than what is already set up because I want everything to feel as home-y as possible! I do, however, put a lot of focus on food and drink presentation.
Food and drinks should be easily accessible, and there should be a variety of treats so all guests can enjoy themselves! After my first couple of parties, I developed a go-to shopping list that was fairly inexpensive and made preparing the food a breeze! I also have several trays and drink dispensers that make displaying and serving easy as well. That's definitely one of my biggest recommendations: invest in good serveware! It by no means has to be the most expensive dish from William Sonoma, but buying $1 disposable plastic trays from Dollar Tree every time you throw a party is not ideal either (although I have been there/done that too! #poorcollegestudent)! Here's a look at the serveware I use the most:
Food and drinks should be easily accessible, and there should be a variety of treats so all guests can enjoy themselves! After my first couple of parties, I developed a go-to shopping list that was fairly inexpensive and made preparing the food a breeze! I also have several trays and drink dispensers that make displaying and serving easy as well. That's definitely one of my biggest recommendations: invest in good serveware! It by no means has to be the most expensive dish from William Sonoma, but buying $1 disposable plastic trays from Dollar Tree every time you throw a party is not ideal either (although I have been there/done that too! #poorcollegestudent)! Here's a look at the serveware I use the most:
I love my woven basket with stone ware bowls buffet server (pictured in the middle of the table)! It was actually a Christmas present my mom received YEARS ago but never opened. Once I moved into my house and started entertaining, I knew it was just what I needed! I've used it as a fruit tray, a veggie tray, a dessert tray...the possibilities are endless! Plus, putting together your own veggie or fruit tray becomes a lot more cost effective than buying the $20 pre-made trays from Walmart every time your entertain! You can buy your own multi-use buffet server on Amazon here for $25.
When putting together a table of treats (or any display really), I like to incorporate different levels. It makes the display look more interesting, and also helps with accessibility! So when I received a gift card to Pier One for graduation, I knew I had to get my hands on a classic glass cake stand! What's funny is that I don't think I've every actually used it for a cake. I've used it for cupcakes and cookies, but that's about it! Maybe one day I'll find the energy to make a cake, but that's probably not going to happen any time soon!
Bowls are a necessity for most food displays, but there's no need to get fancy! Need a way to serve chips? Grab your largest mixing bowl! A salsa bowl? Grab a smaller one! Want to have small snacks to munch on placed around the living room? Cereal bowls work perfectly! Again, you don't need to get too fancy here!
When putting together a table of treats (or any display really), I like to incorporate different levels. It makes the display look more interesting, and also helps with accessibility! So when I received a gift card to Pier One for graduation, I knew I had to get my hands on a classic glass cake stand! What's funny is that I don't think I've every actually used it for a cake. I've used it for cupcakes and cookies, but that's about it! Maybe one day I'll find the energy to make a cake, but that's probably not going to happen any time soon!
Bowls are a necessity for most food displays, but there's no need to get fancy! Need a way to serve chips? Grab your largest mixing bowl! A salsa bowl? Grab a smaller one! Want to have small snacks to munch on placed around the living room? Cereal bowls work perfectly! Again, you don't need to get too fancy here!
I have a variety of beverage dispensers that I've collected over the last few years (pitchers, carafes, etc.), but my favorite one is my Norfolk Glass Beverage Dispenser from Target! As it says on their website, "This dispenser is perfect for parties, both indoors and out. The simple design and sophistication is as pretty as it is practical." Whether you are serving water, tea, lemonade, or a delicious holiday sangria, this $19 dispenser makes any kitchen look classier!
So now you've got everything displayed to Pinterest perfection....but how are your guests going to enjoy any of it? Here's where it's totally okay to go disposable! Grab some paper plates (with a cute design if you're feeling fun!) and a pack of napkins, and you're set! If you don't have a large collection of drinkware, grab some paper cups too!
So now you've got everything displayed to Pinterest perfection....but how are your guests going to enjoy any of it? Here's where it's totally okay to go disposable! Grab some paper plates (with a cute design if you're feeling fun!) and a pack of napkins, and you're set! If you don't have a large collection of drinkware, grab some paper cups too!
If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I have a minor (okay, MAJOR) obsessions with mason jars. What started out as a couple of jars I got for a craft project has turned into an entire bookcase full of jars of multiple sizes! I love having mason jars handy, especially for craft projects and serving! I now have enough smaller mason jars on hand to use as drinkware when I entertain! It's easy to just pull them off the shelf, let guests use them, then throw them all in the dishwasher when the day is done! If you want to get super cute, you can also pick up some Pioneer Woman Mason Jar Lids and Straws at your local Walmart!
Throwing the perfect party can be a lot of work, but it's all worth it for me when I see the joy in my friends' faces as they enter my little house! They notice all of the little details that went into the set up, and in turn feel so special and loved! That's why I do what I do. I want each and every person in my life to know just how important they are to me and to know that they are worth the extra steps it takes to put everything together!
Throwing the perfect party can be a lot of work, but it's all worth it for me when I see the joy in my friends' faces as they enter my little house! They notice all of the little details that went into the set up, and in turn feel so special and loved! That's why I do what I do. I want each and every person in my life to know just how important they are to me and to know that they are worth the extra steps it takes to put everything together!