| It has been reported that there were an estimated | | | | on elaborate invitations, detailed decorations and |
| 2,221,000 weddings in the United States in 2008*. | | | | complicated menus. |
| New nesters have settled into their new homes and | | | | 4. A beginner who paces herself in sensible planning, |
| started their lives together. This includes hanging out | | | | preparation and presentation gains confidence which |
| with friends and family. More than ever, people who | | | | leads to greater success and enjoyment of casual |
| have been out in the workforce all day decline to get | | | | at-home entertaining. Simple time-saving tips like |
| back out in the hustle and bustle of traffic and | | | | making a shopping list for recipe ingredients saves |
| crowds to socialize with friends in noisy restaurants. | | | | unnecessary last-minute trips to the store. |
| Look at the phenomenal success of the Food | | | | 5. Once a host has chosen an unfussy menu, a call or |
| Network. People are interested in learning how to | | | | e-vite is all that is necessary for a casual dinner party. |
| cook and how to throw great dinner parties that fit | | | | A menu that can be prepared in advance is best for |
| their budgets. There is a return trend to casual | | | | the beginner. If he/she has never prepared the |
| entertaining at home. | | | | recipes before, it is a good idea to divide the recipe |
| The problem? Many new nesters have never | | | | in half and prepare it ahead of time. This gives more |
| entertained in their lives and don't know how to go | | | | confidence on the day of the event. |
| about it. What's more, they have little time to pull off | | | | 6. Using items such as dishware, glasses and serving |
| elaborate entertaining and few have the budget to | | | | trays that the budding host already owns saves time |
| hire expensive caterers or personal chefs. It is easy | | | | and money rather than purchasing themed paper |
| to imagine a comfortable evening at home with | | | | goods and decorations. A simple low vase of flowers |
| delicious food and drink, great music and the laughter | | | | and unscented candles add to the ambiance. Good |
| of good friends and family. The question is how does | | | | music also sets the mood. |
| one pull it off with a small budget and little or no | | | | 7. Two hours before the dinner party, the host |
| experience? | | | | should take time to get dressed and ready. As the |
| 1. First of all, a beginner needs to disabuse herself of | | | | guests arrive, each should be welcomed and |
| the notion that she has to be an accomplished | | | | introduced to other guests. With introductions made |
| gourmet chef to host a fabulous dinner party. | | | | and a drink in hand, guests will immediately feel at |
| 2. She also needs to avoid the opposite extreme in | | | | ease. |
| thinking that she will inevitably be a nervous wreck if | | | | 8. The host sets the tone for the evening. Being |
| she attempts at-home entertaining. | | | | poised and relaxed is a great start for an enjoyable |
| 3. The novice host needs to focus on doing a few | | | | time. Last but not least, a host should have fun and |
| simple things well: She needs to concentrate on the | | | | add his or her own flavor and style to entertaining. |
| food, the table and the relaxed, fun tone that she | | | | Guests will enjoy this most of all! |
| sets as host. The beginner does not need to focus | | | | *WeddingReport. |