It was Thanksgiving 1996. I lived at a college on a mountain in British Columbia and I knew there were students attending the college who were going to be alone for the long weekend.
At 21 years old, I decided to tackle my first turkey dinner and invite them over.
I lived in a 600-square-foot apartment. Every inch of the countertops in my little L-shaped kitchen was used for one part of the meal or another.
The antique oak table was extended to fit four people comfortably. It was set with Royal Doulton dishes and cutlery from my grandmother.
There was a knock at the door. I opened it to hungry college guys.
Smiling, they sat down to the table. We passed the food around and they ate and ate.
“Thank you for the delicious meal,” they said.
I invited them again for Christmas dinner. And for the next three years until graduation we gathered around the oak table to share a meal on special occasions.
I am grateful for my servant heart and my desire to make people feel special, welcome and comfortable when they enter my home.
But, inviting people into your home can be stressful.
When you decide to host an event, there are a few things to consider. It seems like a lot, but don’t over complicate it. Keep it simple and within your skill level.
Guidelines to Simplified Entertaining
Event considerations:
- Occasion, theme
- How many people
- Your budget
- RSVP deadline
- Amount of time to prepare
- Type of meal – sit-down or buffet
- Menu
- Beverages
- Decorations
- Dishes and napkins
- Shopping
- Furniture, seating
- Tidy up. Focus on the rooms guests will see such as the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
The Menu
- Be realistic. Consider your skills and demands on your time.
- Use recipes you know will succeed. Experiment with new recipes ahead of time to work out any glitches. I have not always followed this rule and have been embarrassed at times!
- Create your meal. Keep a balance between hot and cold, sweet and savory. Make it colourful. Include a main dish/meat, a starch, vegetables, salad, rolls, beverages, dessert, coffee and tea. How much variety you offer depends on your expertise, budget and time.
- Write down recipes with the page number. Prioritize the menu. What can be made ahead to minimize the workload on the day of the event?
- Use seasonal fruit and vegetables. This helps keep the cost down.
- Are there any food allergies or dietary restrictions?
- Create a timeline for what to make when on the day of the event. Can veggies or desserts be prepared the day before? How long does it take for things to cook?
- Make a shopping list. From your menu, make a list of things to buy early and store and a list of things to buy fresh the day before. Include napkins and candles.
“Day Of” Preparations
- Never turn down help. If you know what needs to be done, it’s easy to delegate to others.
- Rearrange furniture to accommodate everyone. Extend the table. Bring in extra chairs. I set up a separate table for younger guests if there isn’t room at the main table.
- Set the table(s) early on in the day. Here are some simple tips on table setting. Set out the salt and pepper, the butter so it has time to soften and pickles or preserves that are food safe at room temperature.
- Select background music.
- Make room in refrigerator for leftovers.
- Prepare food as planned.
- Clean as you go. Wash, dry and put away any dishes you used for preparations.
- Run the dishwasher with prep dishes so it’s empty for easy clean-up after the dinner.
- Make room in the front closet for guests coats. If using a bedroom for extra coats, tidy the room.
- Do a walk through. An hour before the guests arrive, do a five minute walk through as if you are one of the guests. Hang up a coat and get a drink. Use the washroom. Does it need toilet paper, soap or towels? Make sure things flow smoothly.
- Give yourself fifteen minutes of quiet time before the guests arrive. You’ve had a busy day and a few moments to relax will help you enjoy the event more.
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Reference: Paré, Jean et al. Company’s Coming Easy Entertaining. The Recipe Factory Inc., Edmonton, AB. 1998.
