When it comes to serving beverages, use a nice pitcher to serve the apple juice, instead of putting the plastic container on the table. If there's time, decant the wine. Whatever you choose for your glasses, avoid the Fred Flintstone jelly jar collection, unless kids are among your guests. Better Homes and Gardens offers an excellent guide to glassware and all the possible choices. Unless you're hosting a formal dinner, feel free to pick a glass that suits the overall mood of your table, even if it means serving your wine in a short highball glass.
Don't lay the breadsticks on a flat plate. Use a tall wineglass or pretty flower vase to serve them. Use your good china for the dinner, and your meal will feel much more gourmet. If your plates are plain, consolidate the food in the center, and sprinkle something decorative, such as paprika or minced herbs around the edge.
You can serve the salad on individual plates, or in a decorative serving bowl. If you don't have time to prepare your own salad dressing, don't put your bottles of dressing on the table. Either toss the entire salad with dressing before serving, or pour a selection of dressings into creamers or small bowls to serve with attractive, small ladles or spoons. It would be helpful to keep good quality olives, dressings, marinated artichokes, or hearts of palm on hand to dress up a last minute salad.
Don't forget to pay attention to your lighting. Dimming the overhead lights and lighting a few candles will go a long way to creating a special mood. Put on one of your favorite CD's in the background to add to the festivities. Check into Starbucks music samplers for a great selection of tunes for entertaining.
Finally, you can serve your cake on a pretty serving platter, or as individual servings on attractive cake plates. Plates can be garnished with mint leaves, strawberries, powdered sugar, cocoa, raspberries; the choices are endless depending on what you have in your cupboard.
When the evening is over, your guests will remember your gracious hospitality, and carry away the impression they were fed a gourmet meal in luxurious surroundings.
Final Thoughts
- The menu is only part of the picture when entertaining - use the setting to add some spice.
- Use attractive pieces as serving items. Don't let them become dust collectors.
- Think about your food presentation and what can be done to make each plate more attractive.
- Focus on how the colors work together in your linens, serving pieces and the food.
- Keep your pantry stocked with specialty foods to serve in a pinch.
- Consider your friends' special food needs when planning the menu (e.g. a pregnant friend might not want to drink wine).
- It's the little touches that add up to a special meal.
