Guest Author - Kelly Patey

Hosting a successful party takes planning, planning and more planning - especially when it comes to the food! There are a number of important considerations when selecting your party menu, but the general rule is to keep it quick and easy. After all, you want to enjoy your party as much as your guests, right?

Here are a few great tips and guidelines to help you choose easy party foods, stay organized and throw a party to remember.

Planning The Menu

These days, no party menu should be without a few healthy food choices. That doesn't mean you have to serve a ton of vegetables, although a colorful platter of veggies should be a staple at any party. Just try to serve some nutritious alternatives to traditional bread and crackers, like baked pitas or tortilla wedges. Partner that with some low-fat or low-carb dressing and you have a light and easy party dish.

Be sure to serve foods with a variety of tastes, temperatures, and textures. Include both hot and cold dishes, serve creamy dips with a crisp assortment of unique vegetables and try not to go overboard with one particular flavor or spice.

Party foods that can be easily held with one hand are an important consideration as well. Your guests may be standing for most of the party and if so, trying to balance a plate of food and a beverage could lead to a messy disaster!

So how much food should you serve? Well, the general guideline is 6 appetizers per person per hour for a cocktail party. If appetizers are replacing dinner, than plan on at least 10 appetizers for each guest throughout the night and try to have at least 5 choices.

Pre-Party Prep

It is extremely important to the success of any party, to plan your party menu according to the preparation time you have available. If you're short on time, concentrate your efforts on the presentation of the food rather than cooking it all. Buy pre-packaged party foods and arrange them on beautiful dishes with some creative garnishes.

If you are planning a home cooked menu, prepare as much of the food as you can ahead of time. Keep a list of what needs to be done, so last minute touches are not forgotten.

Food stations set up around the room are a great way to encourage socialization. On the tables, cover boxes or crates with a tablecloth to create a variety of heights. Set your party food dishes on the covered risers to add an element of interest to the table.

Party food doesn’t have to be elaborate and complex. It just has to be presented well, taste great and allow you some free time to enjoy your party! Here are some of my favorite party food collections: