Short notice seems to be my specialty:) Maybe that’s because when it comes to having fun, the word, “no” isn’t in my vocabulary. I recently put together a girls’ night in a flash. Here’s how you can do it too:
Make a List. Having a list of the items you need before going to the store may sound simple, but it’s very important. You won’t forget anything and have to take up time with a return trip. I like to do mine with old-fashioned pen and paper. Maybe that’s because I get a thrill out of crossing each item off my list… But it never stops me from wandering into the flower section even if I didn’t include that.
It also doesn’t stop me from getting lost in the flowers, which leaves me with even less time to get everything together—but it’s worth it.
Lay it Out. When I get home, I lay out all the food items and think about how to arrange them.
Get a Trusty Tray. Using a tray to hold your appetizers is a definite help. It keeps you organized and saves time.
I placed my serving tray on the center island in my kitchen. My home is arranged so that the kitchen opens up to a gathering area, making it ideal for people to grab a snack and mingle.
Spice it up. I asked the cheese expert at the market for help with my appetizers. “Never pair likes with likes,” she told me. “If you have a more bland cracker, always put it with a cheese that has a bite. And vice versa.” Of course, I followed her advice. I chose handmade specialty cheeses and put signs on them to let my guests know what each one was.
Keep it all Close. On a nearby counter, I laid out goblets, plates and napkins…
Then I arranged them, adding drinks.
Have Great Guests. Now all I needed to make this girls’ night amazing was the girls!
