by Jess Howe

Created on: December 10, 2009

I absolutely believe buffet parties are much more fun than sit-down meals; we had a buffet for our wedding a few months ago, and it was a big success despite being a small wedding. It was much more relaxed, much more interesting - where else can you get your choice of stuff to eat and still keep to a budget and have a fabulous day? All the usual hecticness of weddings notwithstanding - ours included me breaking my leg the night before, and my maid of honor getting her car towed that morning - we had a great time at the actual party, and I honestly believe a good part of that had to do with the buffet atmosphere. In this article I'll explain in detail several other reasons why I believe more in parties with a buffet than those with sit-down meals.

COST

The average cost of a party with a sit-down meal is double or triple that of a buffet party. If you're trying to save money, seating guests is not a good option, as the food is generally agreed to be the main factor at the two biggest party times of the year: weddings and the office Christmas party. Having to give some stuff up, like the "look" of the event, is a big issue for some people, but you should take heart if you're worried about that: you'll be noted for being frugal, which looks good especially these days.

INTERACTION

The average person today has a hard time interacting with others person-to-person. An average household in 2009 usually has at least one, usually two, televisions per home, plus two cell phones, a land line phone, a blackberry, an Ipod, a laptop and a desktop PC or Macintosh, and a Wii. With these, he or she can be constantly connected to the Internet. Offices have extremely difficult times keeping their workers from text-messaging, Twittering, checking their email, blogging, and calling friends and family during work hours. At home, a person can remain online and detached from others; those Wii commercials you see with an entire family playing together are the exception, not the norm for someone.

Parties are a way to break from that mold for a while, and buffet parties are the ones that provide for the most interaction. It's suddenly forced upon others to talk to people instead of type, Skype, or play their World of Warcraft character; you need to do more at a buffet party than just say "Uh, could you pass the salad?" You need to stand in line, maybe say how much you like someone's dress, and reconnect with old friends. Shyer people have an easier time at these events because of

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