Hosting a formal dinner party takes a lot of planning and preparation, and in 
today’s busy lives frequently there is not much extra time to plan and execute this type of affair. When you want to get together with your friends, simply planning a party is simple when you serve dinner buffet style. Easy to plan and easy to execute a buffet lets the host enjoy visiting with guests while hosting. To make planning even easier choose a theme for your party and go wild.
Entertaining buffet style can be as much or as little work as you choose. If you prepare all of the food yourself it is really no different than preparing a sit down dinner except that you can prepare much of the meal ahead of time, and you do not have to worry about service. But you can also have friends bring their favorite dishes to share, or let your local deli help you prepare.
To begin planning your party, choose a theme and decide how you are going to incorporate it into your event. For example, a tweenie bopper slumber party may have a whole lot of glitz and glamor by arranging snacks in crystal bowl for a night of music and makeovers. For a summer barbecue, a beach theme is a natural fit and fun to decorate: Sea shells, driftwood and glass jars filled with sand and candles add a beach feel to plates overflowing with fresh seafood, crisp salads and tropical fruit. Or you may want to throw an Oscar party where a bowl of champagne punch may be showcased front and center amid a sea of finger foods elegantly arranged on crystal platters. Or you may want to have a impromptu Sunday get-together with your friends to enjoy the game and cheer for your favorite team. A more casual spread of chips, dip, sandwiches and a bucket of ice filled with soda and beer are the order of the day; the table can be decorated in the home team’s colors, and you can use your sports memorabilia to decorate.
Once you have chosen a theme and a menu
get busy making a list of supplies that you will need. Think about the table itself, and make sure that you have enough room to comfortably display your food choices. You can use a kitchen island, counters, card tables, and even your dining room table. To cover your table you can use a white tablecloth, a theme printed sheet or even a remnant of fabric. You can layer your table to identify different food stations. Adding more than one level to your table will add visual interest to your display, so use tins, boxes, overturned mixing bowls and even plastic storage containers as excellent bases for your table display. Simply slide your base under your tablecloth and there you are, instant height. Keep everything in odd numbers to make your display more visually appealing.
With the table set it is time to add the details of your theme. Add a tall decorative element to the table to balance the height of the raised food, like a tall vase of flowers or a tall candle. Place your most attractive food items in the middle of the table, and fill in around them. Candles and mirrors on the table create movement and interest, and are affordable on a budget. Leave each end of the table empty for napkins
, plates and utensils. Creating a buffet for your dinner party is fun and easy, and your guests are sure to appreciate the invitation.
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