When planning get-togethers for the holiday season, why stress yourself out with trying to plan and cook all of the food? Potlucks are the perfect way for friends, colleagues and family members to gather – while everyone contributes to the meal, easing the burden on the host.
The following are a few tips and suggestions to help you host the perfect potluck gathering –
1~ Create A sign-Up Sheet. To make sure that the party doesn’t have seven pumpkin pies, you should create a sign-up sheet for party participants to see. If your guests will be traveling to attend, set-up a spread sheet on Google Drive, or start a virtual event on Facebook, where guests can see what others have already signed up to bring.
2~ Remember Dietary Restrictions. If you know that one of your guests has a food allergy, make sure to remind the others, so that some of the food can be prepared specially for them. Gluten free dishes are easily made and recipes can be found online.
3~ Theme Party. If you want to add an extra element of fun to a normal party – pick a theme. Some ideas are to host a “Soup Party”, where half of the guests bring different soups, while the others supply breads and desserts. Another idea is to have a “Book Party”, where everyone brings a book with their passing dish to swap with someone else. You can always also do a food or gift drive too, where guests bring a donated item for a local shelter.
4~ Don’t Forget Essentials. Unless you’ve asked someone to bring the table wear, it is your responsibility to supply everything. Heavy duty disposable table service is the easiest when hosting for a large group. You should also have extra serving spoons on hand in case your guests forget to bring theirs.
5~ Tables. For a large group, having several tables for the food is best. This way you can divide the foods up among tables – like salads on one and main courses on another.
6~ Stock the Drinks. Even if you only have a small area to work with, make sure that you create a designated space for drinks that includes an ice chest, cups and bottle openers. If guests are bringing their own beverages, you should still supply an adequate amount of water and soft drinks for those who forget their own, or need more.
7~ Prepare. If your potluck is not being held in your home or office, visit the site before hand to ensure that there are plenty of electrical outlets available for crock pots. Also check to ensure the site has tables and nice bathrooms. This will help you feel better prepared the day of the party.
Hosting a potluck can be a great invitation to connect with others socially this season, and can be obtained without stress as long as you put in a little bit of planning.
