5 Tips For Simple Casual Entertaining

I love entertaining but often find that it can be a bit overwhelming. So over the past few years, I’ve found some simple entertaining tips to make hosting less stressful. These tips help me save time so that I can spend it with my guests while making sure that everyone has plenty to eat and drink.

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1. Choose A Make-Ahead Menu

Have you ever realized at the end of a party that you didn’t have a chance to talk to everyone? I have, and it has usually been because of a menu that required me to stand in front of my stove or grill for most of the night. So, I’ve been relying on make-ahead recipes from my Best Make-Ahead Recipe cookbook.

Take a look at America’s Test Kitchen Make-Ahead Cookbook for even more make-ahead recipes!

2. Use Food As Decor

If you don’t have time for a fancy tablescape, use your menu items as decor. A large charcuterie board always makes a statement. This Acacia Cheeseboard is 36″! Use it for meat and cheese, or get creative and make a vegetable, hors d’oeuvres, or dessert board. Need some inspiration? Take a look at this Beautiful Boards: 50 Amazing Snack Boards For Any Occasion book for ideas.

Fruit salads, trifles, and cupcake towers are delicious desserts that double up as decor. Put sundae toppings in pretty little bowls and arrange them on a table or tray, so the guests know to save room for dessert.

3. Mix And Match Your Dinnerware And Paper Products

Dinnerware

Even when we entertain a crowd, we use our everyday white dinner plates and serving pieces, and then supplement with paper products and craft supplies left over from birthday parties. I try to strike a balance between the ease of disposable products and the eco-friendliness of using what we have.

My rule of thumb is to use as much of my dinnerware as I can fit into my dishwasher so that I don’t have piles of plates on my countertop before dessert is served. I use paper plates for appetizers and desserts so that my guests can throw them out when they’re done, leaving me time to focus on serving food.

I have Pottery Barn’s Caterer’s Box Dinnerware which comes in sets of 12 plates, 12 bowls, etc. It looks like they might be discontinuing the collection, but Crate And Barrel’s Aspen Rimmed Collection is similar (though only 8 pieces per box).

Multitasking Serving Bowls And Casserole Dishes

I try to use serving bowls that double up as storage. That way I can prepare salads ahead of time and return leftovers to the fridge right after dinner. I’m thinking about adding this Duets Salad Bowl by Nambé to my collection. (This Glass Bowl With Wood Lid is an affordable version without the serving pieces). I also have a few Le Creuset pieces like my Covered Square Casserole dish which can go from oven to table to fridge.

4. Create Removeable Centerpieces

While centerpieces can make your table look elegant and polished, they can also take up space that you need to serve your meal. I like to put my table decor on a tray or some kind of container that I can easily remove from the table. (A must if you have a tall flower arrangement that will block your guest’s view).

I have Crate And Barrel’s Tondo Wooden Platter to create centerpieces for round or square tables. It has just enough space for a mason jar filled with flowers, a small candle, and a few little ceramic decorations. I also have the Tondo Oval Platter which is perfect for a row of small candles.

My friend brought this gorgeous centerpiece to a party that I hosted. This Galvanzied Flatware Caddy is similar and can hold small vases of flowers.

5. Let Your Guests Pitch In

I know, I know, some of us like to take care of everything, but one of my favorite simple entertaining tips is to let guests pitch in. Some guests are more comfortable when they can contribute to the party. You’ll also have more time to socialize. So ask them to do something that they enjoy whether they bring flowers, help to cook, or clean up. If you want to do it all, at least make dessert a DIY affair so that you can finally sit down and chat! Ice-cream sundaes are an easy self-serve dessert and allow your guests to have as much or as little as they want.

Here are those multi-tasking tabletop items again:

Do you entertain at home? Which of these 5 simple entertaining tips was your favorite? Let me know in the comments below…

P.S. If you’re reading this in the fall, you may also enjoy this post: 7 Rustic Fall And Winter Decor Ideas.