Tag: Hosting

Finding Your Sparkle: How to Shine When Hosting at Home

Leave a comment

imageYears ago, when my hostessing merely twinkled and had not yet developed into a full on sparkle, I read an article on entertaining in one of my favorite lifestyle magazines. I’m sure it was full to the brim with helpful tips and tricks, but the one that has stuck with me was a reminder to leave time in the planning and preparation for an event to pull yourself together. The article cautioned budding hosts and hostesses that guests didn’t want to arrive to a stressed and disheveled host unable to greet them and issued a firm reminder that people are there, first and foremost, for their host.

Armed with this sage wisdom and a deep love of entertaining, I set out to dazzle friends and family at dinners, barbeques, brunches and holidays.  imageAny gathering was a chance for an occasion.  imageA girl’s night in was a chance to try out sangria and martini recipes.  A jewelry party was an opportunity for themed door prizes and fondue bars.  A barbeque was not a imagejust barbeque…it was a red gingham themed picnic, a luau or a Rutgers football rally.  Slowly but surely, I found my own hostessing style and developed my philosophy of generous hospitality and creative theming.  I also learned the value of setting a few hours aside before the guests were set to arrive to clean up, change and make myself feel like a participant in the party.  That doesn’t mean that I sweep aside the hard work of hosting the minute my guests began to arrive.  What it does mean is that I strive for my guests to find me dressed and ready to greet them as I pull  together any finishing touches and set about making them feel at home.

When it comes to developing your own entertaining skills, remember that as the host you set the tone for every event you hold.  A big part of that tone is, of course, the planning and preparation that occurs before the party.  The organization, décor, entertainment and menu are critical components in creating an enjoyable event for your guests.  However, as I mentioned at the end of The Dazzle is in The Details, a happy host is the most important décor a party can have.

The ultimate goal of hosting is to ensure your guests feel engaged in the event and well attended to.  gardenlemonadestand-25That means planning a gathering that you can be a proper host to.    If you’re inexperienced with entertaining or uncomfortable in the kitchen, the most elegant approach to take is to simplify.  imagePrepare a straightforward plan for your affair and create a layout and timeline for putting it into action.  Find a basic color palate that can be easily coordinated. Choose appetizers that can be laid out in advance that combine style, substance and simplicity.  Think of elegant antipasto, charcuterie & crudité platters.   Cater your main courses or rely on tried and true recipes you feel comfortable with. A selection of wine and seasonal beer are appropriate for any occasion and won’t require your attention at the bar.  If you want to add some visual and palate pleasing pizazz you can plan a simple build your own food bar or beverage bar to engage your guests. Once you’ve set a simple and stunning stage, focus on being present and attentive to your guests.

As you develop a comfort level, you may start to plan more elaborate events.  However, throwing large and intricate parties isn’t for everyone.  You may choose to stick with a simple hosting style on your own and to call in a professional when the planning and coordination get beyond you.  No matter which path you choose, a dazzling at home affair is never unattainable as long as you remember that you are the sparkle that lets your event shine.

The Art of the Antipasto

Leave a comment

As a woman of Italian descent there are a few things I believe in without question: family dinners, the vehemence of the “sauce”/ “gravy” debate (no dear readers, I won’t weigh in …we sparkle here, we don’t argue) and antipasto.  I believe antipasto is as basic and essential as the presence of water on a table. To be clear, I use creative license with my antipasto.  If it has cheese, a cured meat and a marinated vegetable I call it antipasto.  However, why should I limit myself there?  My most elaborate antipasto, arranged on a large framed mirror and accented with martini glasses, featured the classics but also included crostini, berries, nuts, stone ground mustard and all manner of delicious things.  It was delightful to the palate and, of course, the eye.

So what is it about an antipasto that I believe is so essential and timeless?   First and foremost let’s return to my philosophy of generous hospitality.   An initial food and drink offering is the warm greeting of any party.  It’s the handshake or (hopefully) warm embrace a guest is given welcoming them into an event.  I believe that every event should start with an emotional and visual impact that says “come in, pull up a chair, make yourself at home,” and a beautiful antipasto offering does just that.  It also takes the stress off a host by providing your guests with something to sate their hunger if the main course is still in the works.  You never want to leave guests sitting at a venue or a home hungry and anxious; it distracts from the event and sets the wrong tone.

An antipasto is also a widely appealing plate.  It can be designed to have something for everyone.  I like to pair homey and inviting cheeses like cheddar, Swiss and mozzarella with more “exotic” offerings like sharp gouda, bleu cheese and goat cheese.  This gives every guest the ability to find something familiar and accessible but also satisfies your “foodie” guests by providing something sophisticated. Pairing a selection of cheeses with berries, nuts, marinated vegetables and cured meats provides a wide range and diverse selection for your guests to pick from while they mix, mingle and settle in.   Adding some crostini, pita, small toasts, or breadsticks rounds out the platter, making it a more complete appetizer offering.

In addition to being delicious, antipasto can create a truly stunning display.  As with all things at an event, I believe the food should be visually appealing.  The arrangement of an antipasto should maximize its impact.  It should be both colorful and dynamic. Fruit and nuts provide pop and contrast to the more muted cheeses.   A larger, more elaborate display can play with levels and height by using martini glasses or other stemmed serving pieces.

The wonderful thing about an antipasto is that it does not require a great deal of culinary skill.  However, it is a chance to explore your culinary creativity by designing a unique presentation.  If you can cut cheese, roll meats and rinse fruit then the sky is the limit.  If you’re having a catered affair don’t be afraid to ask for different items to be included and arranged in an unique way.  Think of your antipasto as having the same visual impact for the appetizer course that a cake has for the dessert course.  This is your event’s opening statement, make it a dazzling one!

 

 

Generous Hospitality

Leave a comment

I wasn’t born a sparkling hostess. No one is. Hosting events was bred into me over a childhood filled with loved ones gathering at my parents’ home. Halloween and Christmas Eve were punctuated with friends stopping by to celebrate over a large pot of my mom’s famous homemade soup. Summers were filled with sunny afternoons of my brother’s and my friends splashing in the pool as my dad barbequed on the grill and my mom boiled corn on the cob. On Fridays we made homemade pizza and watched movies. Whether it was just the four of us sitting around the table or fifty people scattered about the house there was a sense of fullness brought about by food, drink, laughter, and love.

Throughout my life my mother has instilled in me a sense of generous hospitality. She cooks and serves as lavishly as she loves. If I walked into her house right this minute unannounced there would be a plate of snacks in front of me and a glass of wine in my hand before I could settle into a chair. If you’re invited over for a “small casual” family birthday dinner there will be party favors and decorations, trays of appetizers and multiple courses at the meal.

As I grew into a hostess in my own right I carried these traditions with me. I embraced my mother’s welcoming attitude towards company and her festive attitude towards life. I think a girls night in or an intimate dinner at home can be just as much of an affair to remember as hosting thirty people for Thanksgiving or seventy people for a garden party. I believe in celebrating occasions and making even the smallest event a special one. I relish weaving a theme through the food, drinks, décor, and entertainment of a party.

Here at the Sparkling Hostess blog I’ll share information about parties and holidays I’ve hosted, events & creations by A Sparkling Affair and share tips & tricks for planning everything from the smallest to the grandest gathering. Grab your champagne flute, follow along and remember no matter what you’re doing…always bring your sparkle.