by Gail Kerry

Created on: April 20, 2010

Begin planning for your party well in advance and decide on a theme.  The season, occasion and type of guests should be considered before developing your menu and corresponding party décor.  Select food that is creative, home prepared and wholesome rather than boring and unhealthy “party food” and your guests will appreciate your efforts.  Most importantly, don’t feel that you have to spend a small fortune on expensive ingredients in order to impress your guests.

The first step in planning your feast is to approximate how many people will be attending your event.  The best rule of thumb is to estimate 50% of all invitees (whether or not they respond that they will be attending).  If you’re inviting 100 people, then assume 50 will be attending.

Next, consider the season before planning your menu as that will have an impact on food costs and your event theme.  For instance, if your event is in the fall you should avoid seasonal fruits such as berries which are difficult to find and more expensive at that time of year.  Fall is a great time to prepare a hot, home-style soup such as navy bean and ham, vegetable beef, broccoli and cheese or even pumpkin soup.  Large fresh fruit bowls are always appreciated at festive events.  Utilize a light Waldorf style salad (with apples, walnuts and pears) in cold weather months using yogurt and lemon juice instead of a mayonnaise dressing.  Melons and pineapples can be scooped out, carved and used as serving dishes in the summer months.

Cold cuts are fine as long as you prepare them yourself instead of purchasing them at the supermarket deli counter.  Your guests will see and taste the difference and of course home preparation is always less expensive.  Baking a ham with an interesting and festive glaze is very easy.  Roast beef is equally easy but why not add something more interesting like pork tenderloin?  All of these meats can be cooked the day before, stored in the refrigerator and sliced the day of the party.  Arrange the meat on a large platter decorated with lettuce garnish and set them out just prior to your guests arrival time.

If you must have standard party faire such as pasta salad and potato salad, at least make them more interesting by adding some non conventional ingredients.  Potato salad takes on a whole new personality when you add green onions and fresh parsley instead of standard white onions

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