Stocking up of party decorations starts to add up, so I like to print a picture of whatever my theme is – a sock monkey or nursery rhyme – and frame it in a pre matted frame for the party. Set it on the buffet or wherever you have drinks set up. It’s a great way to add to your party decore without breaking the bank. The best part is, you can reuse the frame for other parties or for your favorite picture.
Save yourself the trouble of having to cut and serve a cake at your next party by serving cupcakes. Cupcakes are a huge hit for many reasons, but they really are a very practical dessert to serve. It can take a while to cut and serve cake to a large group of people (trust me, I know!). Consider serving cupcakes when hosting a large birthday party, shower or other event where cake is the norm. Streamlining dessert means more time for you to enjoy the party.
If you are serving frozen or pre-packaged appetizers, here is a great tip for adding a wow factor to those store-bought goods. Buy a small bottle of Truffle Oil – olive oil infused with the flavor of Truffles (truly prized mushrooms) – and brush the top of the appetizers, such as stuffed mushrooms or spanakopita, with a tiny bit of the oil as they come out of the oven. Truffle Oil adds an amazing earthy, sensual flavor that won’t go unnoticed (it is described by some as an aphrodisiac). Trust me – it makes even the most mundane appetizer extra special.
A few tips for buying and storing Truffle Oil: From appearance alone it is hard to tell the quality of the oil so use the price as a guide (it is VERY expensive but you can buy small bottles and a little goes a long way). Many oils marketed as “truffle oil” are actually oils containing a synthetic truffle flavor. Synthetic truffle oil will still add some flavor and is a fine inexpensive substitute, but real truffle-infused oil is so special that it is worth the high price. As with many oils, Truffle Oil can go rancid quickly so store it in the refrigerator. Though you may not have to worry about it spoiling; it is so amazing that you will probably use it all before it has the chance.
Candles are a party staple in most homes for good reason – they create instant ambiance for any night-time soiree. But if you already have lots of different aromas coming from your kitchen, opt for unscented candles in all places other than your bathroom. Competing scents can be overwhelming and you want the great smell of your food to take center stage. If you do opt to use scented candles, use the same scent in every room. Sticking to one scent will make a bigger impact and no one will get a headache from a perfume-counter array of smells.
*Shown above are unscented white votive candles in a wooden and glass holder on a bamboo runner with pink orchids.
Having flowers at your next party? Even if you’re only having a vase or two, stop at your local florist in advance to place your order. Pick out your flowers and set up a delivery date and time. You can pay for them in advance or when they are delivered. If you don’t want to purchase a new vase from the florist but are worried about the flowers fitting into your own vases, ask the florist if you can drop your vases off and have them arrange the flowers in them before they are delivered. This way, on the day of your party, all you have to do is answer the door, tip the delivery person and find the perfect place for those beautiful blossoms.
When you’re planning on using specific ingredients for dinner or a party, designate a shelf or spot in your refrigerator for those ingredients. This way, there will be no confusion about what’s there for the taking and no more time spent searching for something your significant other/ roommate already scarfed down. You’ll also save time when you go to gather your ingredients because they’ll all be in one place.
