1. Create a Recipe Repertoire - Develop a tried and true set of recipes that you can turn to anytime you entertain or need to bring a dish to another party. You should have a few dishes to cover all possible meal times and courses. After using this repertoire for a while, you will develop a reputation, and friends will eagerly anticipate the dishes that come from your kitchen. This may require a bit of experimentation to find recipes that really work each time you make them. You may have to cook recipes for your family that serve many more people than you need on a daily basis - but that just saves you from cooking dinner another night. If you need inspiration, consider trying out the recipes found on this site's homepage in the "What's for Dinner Tonight" section. There's a new recipe to try every day.
2. Choose a Signature Cocktail - Just like you want to be known for your fabulous dishes, you should also choose a few signature cocktails to serve to your guests. Pick your favorites and always have them ready to offer to your guests as an alternative to the ubiquitous beer and wine. A choice of a non-alcoholic cocktail would be a smart addition for your guests that don't drink alcohol. Visit our Cocktails Guide for fresh, new ideas to add to your bar.
3. Pick Up Inexpensive Vases, Bowls and Other Containers - There's nothing that elevates a centerpiece from just "nice" to special like an unusual container. Focus on collecting containers that will look good and suit different fillers such as flowers, ornaments, fruits, vegetables, seashells, candles, and anything else you might use to create a centerpiece for your party. You can search flea markets, yard sales, and eBay for fun possibilities.
4. Make New Friends - Have you recently met people you'd like to get to know better? Invite them to your home for a low key evening of desserts or casual cocktail party.
5. Do Less When You Entertain - Sometimes the thought of entertaining becomes too overwhelming - but that's only when we set our standards too high. If that's the reason you have fewer parties than you'd like, plan to do less the next time you entertain. Do you spend too much time cooking in preparation for a party? Then add more prepared foods to your menu. Does pre-party cleaning stress you out? Then contain your party to a few rooms and shut the other doors so you don't feel the need to clean up so much. Is over-decorating putting too much pressure on your time and budget? Then skip the centerpiece and use a few votive candles to add ambiance to your table. Just do less of whatever gives you the most stress when you entertain.
6. Try a Game Night - Are you tired of the usual cocktail party conversation? Then eliminate the boredom at your parties by playing a few adult board games. Each time I browse the games section of the store looking for children's games, I have a hard time locating them among all of the adult choices. Not sure where to start? Try Eat It to test the snack food smarts of your guests - always a fun topic.
7. Put Your Friends to Work - Cut back on your cooking time by getting your guests involved in the food preparation. There are so many ways to do this from hosting a Potluck, to organizing a Progressive Dinner, to setting out the ingredients for a fondue or raclette party.
8. Make a New Holiday - Don't limit your celebration to the traditional holidays. There are so many days to celebrate throughout the year. Have a Ground Hog Day Breakfast; host a weenie roast for National Hot Dog month in July; defy the red and green by celebrating National Cotton Candy Day on December 7th; have a garden party for National Garden month in April. Your choices are as wide as your interests.
