Did you know that you can spend just a few dollars and make it look as though you spent hundreds on your party? Home made and arranged can look just as good or better than catered. And you don’t have to lose the sophistication just because you are saving money and being frugal. Use these tips to make your party look like a million dollars.
Focus on the Presentation
The presentation of food goes a long way to making your party look expensive. Do you ever notice that people are willing to spend more money on tiny platters of food that are arranged artistically over hearty platters of food that are heaped on the plate? It is all a matter of making things look good.
Instead of serving sauces on the side, drizzle them in a pattern on the plate. Make sure to include appropriate garnishes. Pay attention to the color and shapes on a plate. Are they harmonious? Don’t be tempted to overload a plate. Your guests can always come back for seconds.
Offer Trendy Touches
Trendy touches can seem rich and sophisticated. Of course, you can invent your own “trends” and no one will know. One trend I recently heard about involved plain old vegetables and dip. Place a little bit of dip in a wine glass or votive candle holder and insert a few veggies into the glass for individual servings that guests can carry around with them as they socialize. Read current magazines (online and at the library) to get ideas.
Make a Signature
Having a signature item will not only make the party look expensive, but it will also cut down on your budget. For example, instead of offering several kinds of drinks, develop one signature drink that looks and tastes rich. The same thing goes with deserts. Last night I had the most wonderful desert made by a friend who confessed that it cost pennies. It had a chocolate meringue base, fresh whipped cream and fresh raspberries.
Happy Entertaining!
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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