Guest Author - Jennifer Minekheim

Are you the life of every party but never host a celebration yourself? Frequently people become overwhelmed with all the tasks associated with throwing a party. You may think that if you can’t afford the cost or don’t have the space to have an elaborate extravaganza, then it’s not worth having people over at all. I’m here to tell you that’s crazy talk! Here are some tips to help you throw a fabulous fiesta without a lot of expense or effort. All it takes is some creativity and planning.

The first thing you need to do is figure out how many people you want to invite to your celebration. Once the guest list is set you can begin planning your menu and figure out what kind of supplies you will need. For a small party of about a dozen people, I would say that doing this a week in advance allows you plenty of time to prepare. If you’re planning on entertaining on a larger scale, you may need more time.

To decide what I want to serve, I like to go through my kitchen and see what I can make out of supplies I already have. If I have several cans of beans, I might make some chili. It can also inspire you to try something new. You can search for recipes online by the main ingredient you want to use and will find many wonderful ideas. Also, if you have a specific theme for your party in mind, such as a mexican fiesta or an italian feast, that decision will help you narrow your focus down as well.

I have three tips for you to consider when planning what food to serve. First, don’t base your entire menu on things you have never made before. Why? It takes longer to make things you’re not used to making and you have no idea how they will come out. This will cause you unneeded stress even if everything turns out well, and can leave your guests starving if your recipe turns out to be a dud! It’s wonderful to be creative, but I recommend trying only one or two new creations, then supplementing your menu with some reliable favorites from potlucks of the past.

Secondly, if reviews of your recipe are available, read them! I cannot stress this enough. Other people have already figured out what might be wrong with your recipe and can save you from making the same mistakes they did. People also frequently post interesting modifications to the recipe that will make you seem like a gourmet chef! If you have planned your menu far enough in advance, you may want to do a dry run of that new recipe to see if you really like it. Many times I have changed my menu after trying my recipe out and was glad I did.

Lastly, you also need to consider what kind of food service you will be providing when planning what to serve. Is it going to be a buffet or a sit down dinner? If everyone is going to be walking and talking while eating, you will need to make foods that are easy and neat for people to eat with either with their hands or a spoon. You don’t want people struggling to use a fork and knife while standing on your beautiful white rug!

Now, let’s move on to the drinks. I always try to have water and both regular and diet soda. If you are going to serve alcoholic beverages, try to keep it simple. You may want to keep the selection to just beer and wine. If you want to offer cocktails, how about having one signature drink that people can make themselves? That way you’re not stuck behind the blender all night long! Just put out the ingredients, the glasses, and a bucket of ice. Teach your guests how to make your favorite cocktail and they're on their way.

My last suggestion is to do as much in advance as possible. Anything you can prepare ahead of time and reheat is fabulous. Crockpot dishes are also a great idea. If you’re going to decorate, recruit some friends to help you and do it a day or two before the party. Then on the big day, all you have to do is put out the food, let the guests in, turn on the music and enjoy! Throwing a party can be easy and fun. With these easy tips, you can throw a fantastic get together and everyone will think you are wonderful and creative. Get started today!