Your top 3 party prep/entertaining-made-easy tips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

[Anonymous]

Second starting with an empty dishwasher. Do as much prep as you can about 5 hours in advance then run the dishwasher with all the dishes from that prep.
I also write out a schedule that includes when to get things out of the fridge, when to prep each dish, when to clean the powered room, etc. and I always aim to be ready 30 minutes ahead, so the last 30 minutes is me relaxing and getting myself ready. I feel much more social if ive had a face wash, a few deep breaths, and a chance to sit for a few minutes before people arrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

LMAO you literally said “some of the best game nights. Have been super casual” and “for a game night, don’t try to do too much.” You are confused, my dear! No one wants chili and grab a drink out of the fridge on game night. Or even book club. Do an event or don’t.

[Anonymous]

Agree with the above about make ahead, prep ahead, clean ahead, no new recipes. Also, shop ahead as much as you can - I make a list of all of the ingredients by category (dry goods, dairy, produce, etc.) and buy the shelf-stable or more durable ones a week or so ahead so that I'm not having some crazed grocery trip 2 days before. I even sometimes get those groceries delivered just so that I can thoughtfully fill my shopping cart and save myself a trip. I inevitably have to go to the store a day or two before, but then I'm only picking up odds and ends and the more perishable produce. Also, don't try to make it all yourself - it's great to make a few things, but fine to mix in store bought items as well.

If I'm having a ton of people for an open house, I use nice paper or bamboo plates and other disposable items, but if it's a manageable number, it's nice to use real plates, silverware, etc.

[Anonymous]

Get catering but use real plates and flatware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

LMAO you literally said “some of the best game nights. Have been super casual” and “for a game night, don’t try to do too much.” You are confused, my dear! No one wants chili and grab a drink out of the fridge on game night. Or even book club. Do an event or don’t.

NP. Chili and a drink from the fridge are exactly what I would want on game night, for book club, or any time someone is doing me the favor of hosting me.

[Anonymous]

Another set of votes for setting out the dishes with sticky notes and starting with empty dishwasher.

The other thing I don’t stress over is having a spotless house. Sparkly clean guest bathroom? Absolutely. But the rest will get dirty no matter what. That said, we usually deep clean the week before and after, with only a touch up right before.

And a good dip (plenty of it) and extra ice.

If a guest arrives early or wants to stay late and they offer to help…..let them. In fact, I’ll often have a few, preplanned “what to delegate” jobs for the ones who want to assist.

Have fun and report back on how it went. ☺️

[Anonymous]

Buy ingredients days prior
Prep night before so everything is ready to cook
Set out plate setting & drink station
Straighten house, burn some candles (deep clean after party)

I try to be ready with kitchen cleaned when guests arrive, then just enjoy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Another set of votes for setting out the dishes with sticky notes and starting with empty dishwasher.

The other thing I don’t stress over is having a spotless house. Sparkly clean guest bathroom? Absolutely. But the rest will get dirty no matter what. That said, we usually deep clean the week before and after, with only a touch up right before.

And a good dip (plenty of it) and extra ice.

If a guest arrives early or wants to stay late and they offer to help…..let them. In fact, I’ll often have a few, preplanned “what to delegate” jobs for the ones who want to assist.

Have fun and report back on how it went. ☺️

The above works for people who enjoy planning but is not the least bit helpful to those of us who dread hosting. I’d need two extra days just to do tgr sticky notes and plan for an unloaded dishwasher!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

LMAO you literally said “some of the best game nights. Have been super casual” and “for a game night, don’t try to do too much.” You are confused, my dear! No one wants chili and grab a drink out of the fridge on game night. Or even book club. Do an event or don’t.

NP. Chili and a drink from the fridge are exactly what I would want on game night, for book club, or any time someone is doing me the favor of hosting me.

Me too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

LMAO you literally said “some of the best game nights. Have been super casual” and “for a game night, don’t try to do too much.” You are confused, my dear! No one wants chili and grab a drink out of the fridge on game night. Or even book club. Do an event or don’t.

NP. Chili and a drink from the fridge are exactly what I would want on game night, for book club, or any time someone is doing me the favor of hosting me.

Me too.

Me as well

[Anonymous]

Wine and cheese!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For a game night, don't try to do too much.

Some of the best game nights have been super casual. Basic meal like vegetarian chili in the crockpot and cornbread, help yourself to drinks in the fridge, have out hummus and veggie platter, cheese, salami, crackers, grapes, and nuts, and box mix brownies for dessert.

The host is relaxed and not fussing with platters! (I say this as someone prone to fuss too much but trying to get better.)

That’s not a party. That’s like having one friend over for dinner.

DP. Thats the way all of my book club meetings are - which I think is similar to game night. I think you’re the one confused about what this is.

LMAO you literally said “some of the best game nights. Have been super casual” and “for a game night, don’t try to do too much.” You are confused, my dear! No one wants chili and grab a drink out of the fridge on game night. Or even book club. Do an event or don’t.

NP. Chili and a drink from the fridge are exactly what I would want on game night, for book club, or any time someone is doing me the favor of hosting me.

Me too.

Me as well

I like chill nights like this when it’s like 2-3 friends and conversation, but for a game night or a book club with multiple guests, I think you should either put forth some effort, or don’t bother.