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Mix homemade dishes with store-bought items. Make sensational appetizers and a fabulous dessert and just buy the rest pre-made - such as a honey-baked ham, rolls and a big salad of pre-washed, packaged baby greens.
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For starters, think cheese. Imported cheeses are available conveniently from the supermarket and are always crowd-pleasers. Try such cheeses as Dubliner, Blarney Castle or Ivernia, made with milk from grass-fed cows with no antibiotics or growth hormones. Arrange on a bread board with a scattering of nuts and dried fruit and a bowl of chutney. Surround with breads or crackers for an instant appetizer.
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Skip the baking and end the meal with a spectacular drinkable dessert. It's easy to create a drinkable twist on traditional desserts - just start with a base of Baileys Original Irish Cream liqueur or one of Baileys Flavors shaken with ice, pour in a martini glass and decorate with a fun garnish like chocolate shavings, syrup or whipped topping. Guests are sure to be impressed.
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Organize your shopping list by store - grocery, housewares, party supplies. Keep lists handy and purchase staples when you are out and about.
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Anticipate serving needs. Lay out serving dishes on the table in advance to make sure the platters fit the space and look harmonious. Identify what food goes in which platter with a sticky note. Borrow additional platters as needed.
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Make a schedule. Backing up from the party start time, note important time needs: when to remove cheeses from the refrigerator to get them to room temperature, when to preheat the oven to heat the hors d'oeuvres, when to put the ham in the oven, when to start mixing dessert drinks.
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Set the stage. Add instant enchantment throughout the house with inexpensive pillar candles. Tuck branches of fresh evergreens at the base for their heady scent.
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Add signature touches. Garnish ham with red and green grapes. Serve rolls with a distinctive imported butter, such as Kerrygold pure Irish butter. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on the salad.
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Save your guests the hassle of finding a ride to the party. For friends who live near each other, offer to arrange a carpool with a designated driver or provide your guests with the phone number for a local taxi service.
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Select from these appetizers and desserts to plan your menu. They can be used for cocktail parties, dinner parties or large buffets; fill in with purchased items for the rest.
