Potluck Parties

With the holidays coming, and with so much to do, it might be time to employ an old-fashioned "Potluck supper" get-together with friends.
The term "potluck" was used when inviting someone to an informal family dinner where the guest would be taking his/her chances with what was in the "pot." Another definition was of a community meal comprised of contributions. Many "Potluck suppers" were held on Sundays, after church services. Today's twist on the Potluck supper can be a casual party with friends and little work for the busy host/hostess.
The rules for a "Potluck" are easy: food should be portable and not require last minute fussing, a quick heating up is all that should be necessary.
Call a few friends, eliminate the possibility of everyone bringing a dessert by asking for a specific course: appetizer, salad, meat or casserole, side dishes, bread, beverages, dessert(s). Often the host/hostess will provide the main dish and beverages with friends bringing the rest of the meal. Make sure there are lots of serving dishes and utensils available.
Why not try this with a few friends after a hectic day of holiday shopping??

Thanksgiving Dinner

Most of you probably have your Thanksgiving plans set by now. Some of you will "do it all" the planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning. Youll make the turkey and all the trimmings while others will opt for a group effort. I'm hearing of lots of friends and family dinners where guests bring a favorite dish, making it more personal with their particular "comfort food" being served and having it less stressful for the host since some appetizers, accompaniments and desserts will be provided. Do any of you have a tradition of saying "thanks" before the meal that you'd like to share? Some use cards with just one word to trigger a thought for their guests to speak about. Others have the oldest and the youngest at the table say their "thanks." Do any of you have memorable Thanksgiving dinner moments that you particularly enjoyed and would like to share?

Scrapbooking Party

Scrapbooking has become very popular and many are finding it more fun to work on their scrapbooks with a group to share ideas and supplies. I just heard of a group of 8 women who went to a resort for a weekend to work on their individual projects. Lots of laughs, food, wine and scrapbooking! Great way to bond and get your project launched, have help with an existing one or finish the one that's been sitting idle for awhile. I'm hearing of many who are doing scrapbooking for their kids high school graduations, they have approximately 18 years of pictures to be used. I attended a wedding shower where the bride-to-be was given one from her future mother-in-law with lots of pictures and memorabilia about the groom-to-be. A treasured gift! One mother I know made one for her son's Eagle Scout ceremony which featured pictures and awards from all of his years in Boy Scouts. How many of you are working on a scrapbooking project and have attended a scrapbooking party?

Progressive Dinner Party

A progressive dinner party is a great way to get together with your neighbors for a fun evening. If you live in an area with neighbors within walking distance, it's a little easier to maneuver. For a smaller group have one house designated to be the "appetizer house." All the neighbors gather there for appetizers and then head out to the various homes for dinner. All have the same menu for dinner. Each host will make the same entree and the accompaniments are provided by the attendees (delivered earlier in the day.) After dinner all reconvene at one home for dessert. If you have a large group, I would suggest a committee to draw names from a hat to divide the guests as to certain homes for appetizers and main courses. There could be more than one home for appetizers, several for dinner (usually 8 for dinner works well, obviously the owner would be at this home) and then, if possible, gather at one to two homes for dessert. Decide on the menu and the cost, and divide it equally among all. Everyone should have the same amount of work: providing the appetizers, main courses, accompaniments and desserts. How many of you have participated in one before? Great idea for a holiday party! Have fun and tell us all about your experience.

OctoBEAR party for moms and tots

How about a party for moms and pre-schoolers? This party is inspired by the song "The Teddy Bears Picnic." A playdate party where the children bring their favorite teddy bears. Make bear prints leading to your front door for the children to follow. Have books on hand with bear themes, such as "Corduroy," "Winnie the Pooh," We're Going On A Bear Hunt, "Bear Snores On," "Every Autumn Comes the Bear" and "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?"
Each child could wear "bear ears" which can be made out of chenille pipe cleaners. Spread a blanket or tablecloth on the floor and serve out of picnic baskets lined in red and white checked fabric. Depending on the age, you could serve peanut butter and jelly sandwiches cut out using bear cookie cutters. Don't forget "teddy grahams," "gummy bears" and teddy bear stickers as favors. For the moms you could serve sandwiches (other than pb&j) or salads. Have the theme of "The Teddy Bears Picnic" playing to greet your guests. This can also be adopted to include a birthday celebration. Add teddy bear balloons, a teddy bear cake and give teddy bear books as favors.

Oktoberfest

How many of you have been celebrating at an Oktoberfest this month? Now is the time! Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September and early October. To have your own version of "Oktoberfest" invite friends over for some pale ale or a hearty stout (or your favorite beer or a micro-brew.) Decorate with fall foliage (anyone have edelweiss?) incorporating the German colors: black/red/gold. Serve German fare for your menu such as bratwurst, pork, sauerbraten, Black Forest ham, cabbage, German potato salad or spaetzle and finish your meal with apple strudel or Black Forest cake for dessert. Tell us how you celebrated Oktoberfest!

Holiday Open House

The leaves are falling, November is around the corner and time to think about hosting a Holiday Open House. Open House parties are usually held in the late afternoon. Guests are not obligated to arrive at a particular time if it's an Open House, but state a beginning and ending time such as 4 pm to 6 pm, or 5 pm to 7 pm on your invitation to ensure that someone won't be dropping by when the party is over. One can make it simple and serve hors d'ouevres with wine and beer or add spirits for a full bar. You can hire a bar tender or make it a self-service affair. If you decide to serve wine, you will need one bottle of wine for every 5 guests.
A buffet with many choices of hors d'oeuvres, hot and cold arranged on a table where they are easily accessible for guests to help themselves. Plan on 8 hor d'ouevres per person. Some of your guests will plan on your appetizers being their dinner, while others may have dinner plans for afterwards. Better to plan on having more than less!
Try different heights for your appetizers, place large books under the tablecloth to elevate some dishes for a more interesting table. Gourds, pumpkins and leaves are an easy way to decorate your table at this time of year. A dessert table with coffee and tea offerings for the ending time. Finger food desserts such as cookies, brownies, fruit on skewers, chocolates are the simplest and always well received.