Anyone interested in entertaining should familiarize themselves with Matthew Mead and his massive portfolio of party tips and inspiration. His newest book, entertaining simple, is a great way to do just that! It starts by laying out everything you could need in your entertaining pantry as well as unique ways to organize it all. Next, Matthew Mead showcases a ton of ideas (all with lovely photos) for individual party elements - place cards, napkin rings and general tabletop inspiration. Lastly, entertaining simple provides a bunch of party menus with delicious recipes for several occasions. This a great book, packed with entertaining inspiration fit for the novice host or the expert hostess.
To purchase entertaining simple head over to Amazon. For more information or inspiration from Matthew Mead check out his main site or his page on Facebook (where you can become his Facebook fan).
**READER GIVEAWAY**
Now, I mentioned that I get to giveaway 3 copies of this great new book! Entering to win is very simple and each reader has 2 opportunities to win:
1) Head over to the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and post a comment about something that no good party is without.
2) Post a comment on today's post (11/24) about a tip or trick that makes entertaining more simple.
To double your chance of winning leave a comment on both pages. Each reader can enter once on the Tastefully Entertaining page on Facebook and once on the Tastefully Entertaining blog, for a total of 2 entries. Please be sure to include your email address so I can contact you if you're a winner. Entries will be accepted up until 7:00 pm Eastern on Friday, November 28th. Winners will be selected by a random drawing and will be announced on Monday, December 1st.
18 comments:
As a former florist who still loves to help with party planning I keep on hand in my "party inventory" clear glass votive holders to use as vases, candy holders, votive holders, simple clear glass vases with clean lines for many of the same uses describled above,big bags of tea lights, sparkly garlands in silver gold and colors, high quality silk florals to tuck into corners on a buffet, floral foam both wet and dry, spaghnum moss, strings of white lights, paper lanterns. I keep them all in clear totes, clearly labeled for quick access and when I need something it's as easy as glancing in my closet and pulling what I need out. If I need extras I scout my house and yard for things I have in my personal collections I can pull to use. Right now I'm using photo copied images from an ancient 1950's childrens book for a baby shower I'm throwing for my daughter this coming weekend to use on the tables for color and whimsy, along with many other "found" items to keep my budget under control!
My entertaining tip - Always overinvite, there is always someone who can't make it, even at the last minute. And the flip side, always overprepare, because even with a set number of RSVPs, someone shows up at the last minute.
Be certain to have 1/2 of what you are serving already prepped and ready by the time your guests arrive so you will not be stuck in the kitchen the entire time.
I find that when I keep things simple, the food and colors etc, my life as a hostess is much simpler. I have a nice set of white china that I can use for ever occasion by changing my other decor and napkin colors etc. This also cuts down on price.
I think my favorite entertaining tip is simply to plan ahead and not to stress out if things don't go as planned.
Awesome blog! I will definatly be coming here for more ideas!
Cheers!
Juli
www.amodernproposal.com
If somebody offers to bring something, ANYTHING, say yes! :)
My entertaining tip is to not overdo it. I often get carried away and plan twice as many recipes as necessary resulting in way to much food and me running around like crazy!
Prepare as much as possible before the day of the party. You cannot be a good hostess or enjoy the party if you're running around trying to prepare things last minute.
My must have for entertaining is quality background music. It sets the mood for everything to come. Chris Botti is a favorite, although at holiday time I love Manheim Steamroller and my favorite of all, the Peanuts gang soundtrack. Music makes a party.
A simple trick to keeping entertaining, well, simple, is to map out your event. For any hosted event, I list the basic components (decor, food, etc) and expand on the elements needed for each (shopping lists or checklists, essentially). I also sketch out table arrangements and leave roughly 1 hour prior to the event for arranging and styling.
My entertaining tip is to make a budget before the party and stick to it. This cuts down on last minute impulse buys you really don't need and helps keep entertaining affordable. As I buy something for the party, I mark it down and then know in my head how much I have left of my budget.
P.S. I love your blog. I am a faithful reader.
It's always best to start preparing early. Make what you can ahead of time and cook easy things that can be prepared the night before and tossed into the oven while guests are arriving!
I can't count the number of times pictures (or notes) of mocks have saved me during party prep and set up.
The last thing I want to worry about at crunch time is what looks best where. And they come in handy for any 'helpers' looking to join your fun.
Keep your fantastic inspiration coming! Cheers!
Brooke
My tip is to have fun! No party is good without a relaxed hostess who can enjoy her own party! You can plan all you want up until the big day, but then make sure you let yourself cut loose and have fun!
Share something you love with your guests, be it a tour through your garden, a favorite recipe, music or a great bottle of inexpensive wine.
My tip is to set a game plan in advance and learn to delegate. The more you can get done early and the more help you can recruit, the more stress-free the event will be.
My tip is to do as much decorating ahead of time then you can focus on food, drink and fun during the party.
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