15 Tips For Entertaining For Fall Parties

Every season is fun to celebrate.  Being from New England, Fall is my favorite.  The air turns crisp, the leaves are turning beautiful colors, apple picking ~ It's all very "postcard" like.  I plan more in the fall than any other season.  Here is my Fall Entertaining Checklist to make your party fun, organized and delicious.

1. Rearrange Furniture.

Arrange furniture and seating that is conducive to conversations.  Also, creature comforts are good to have around in multiples like blankets and throw pillows. Preferably in comfy fall fabrics like chenille, cashmere, and shearling.

2. Seated or Buffet?

Guideline is small amount of people, have a sit down at table meal. (8 or less) More than 8 people, I go with buffet. You want to talk with everyone at your party. Eight people is comfortable to have 1 conversation at table, seated. More than that ~ have a buffet where you can mingle around to everyone.

3. Don’t Rush It.

Nothing should feel rushed. When your guests arrive, pour drinks and have conversations.  Don’t behave like you’re on a schedule.

4. Make Meals Easy.

Do not make a meal you have not cooked before. Made appetizers and meals that you have made before. (and got compliments on) If you have not cooked alot, make an easy meal.  Like pasta. Most people love pasta dishes.  Select something you can pre-prep.  If you can measure it, wash it, assemble it ~ do it.  That goes for drinks as well.  You could consider a "signature" cocktail for the party. (have non-alcohol option.) or something like a Fall Sangria. The more you pre-prep, the less stressed you will be.  It I can pre-prep, I do.  I save things like chopping fresh herbs to just before I serve meals.

5. Think Generosity.

Think in abundance when you are hosting. There should always be too much. (You never want to run out of anything or make guests feel they have a limit to what they can eat.)  When entertaining ~ I bring the abundance!  Lots of food, drinks, (cocktails and non-alcohol) Always plates coming from the kitchen. You can make food that’s made for sharing  ~ like a big bowl of pasta in the middle of the table.

6. Be Ready to Pivot.

When preparing and shopping, be ready to pivot. You’re planning on making carrot ribbon salad, but you got to Farmers Market or Grocery Store and the carrots didn’t look good, they didn’t look fresh, they were too small, etc. Pivot. Have a backup plan.
 

7. Always on the Menu.

Have something that most people love ~ like great bread and olive oil for dipping. Most people love something on a charcuterie board. People love cheese. Make the familiar. People like to graze and nibble.  Don’t feel like you need to have alot of hot from the oven appetizers (but one would be nice) especially in fall. In fall we especially love “comfort food”.  I make macaroni and cheese ball appetizers. They are a hit in fall/winter.

8. Pick Seasonal Flavor Theme.

People like to know what to expect. People like a theme.  For all seasons, I make food that is in season.  If it’s in season, it’s at its peak taste.  For Fall, an apple theme would be great (Although, I recently processed my love for the cranberry.) So cranberries would be a great menu theme as well. 

Sample Menu:

Drinks:   Apple cider sangria
Appetizer:  Apple, gorgonzola flatbread.
Main Course:  Anything styled with apple garnish.
Dessert:  Pie or crisp.

Everything does not have to be made with apples. 4 things max to make it a theme.

9. Don’t Apologize For Your Food.

I get it, I’ve done it.  You want everything to be delish.  Refrain from saying things like . . . Sorry, I think there is too much salt, Sorry, I think I overcooked the meal, Sorry, I should have ordered out, I’m really not a very good cook.  Stop. Give yourself grace. and/OR give yourself help.  Nothing wrong with enlisting some help cook to alleviate stress or help you make a great meal. (My sister has had me come over to her house to make entire meal when she was having guests.  Literally, I would make the meal and she would say . . . you can leave now.  I want them to think I made the meal. She did this more than once!)  No shame in getting help!  Entertaining, cooking, getting the "flow/schedule" right ~ it's a process.

10. Tablescapes.

Candles are beautiful for entertaining. Everything & everyone ;) looks better by candlelight. Or have ambient lighting, not bright lights. People are more comfortable in dim lighting. Don’t style the table so much there is not enough room for food.  Also, I do LOVE a dramatic tablescape and decor,  but people need to see over centerpieces to have a conversation.

11. Games.

Not everyone likes games ~ some people do. Know your “audience”/guests.  Same goes for conversation cards.  I like them.  Others do not. Know your “audience”  Some people are shy or they are uncomfortable sharing their views on questions that can be on conversation cards. No pressuring with the . . . "Oh, come on ~ it will be fun!"

12. Be Present and Enjoy.

Be present and enjoy your own party.  Dirty dishes? forget them. Cleaning up around people as the party is going on?  Don’t do that.  Nothing is that important to do.  Most important thing to do for the party is make your guests feel welcomed and loved.

13. No Signaling.

By signaling, I mean putting on coffee, stopping the music, putting on bright lights, as cue that’s it’s time for them to go home soon. When I have a party, I think . . . It will be a long night and I’m ok with that.  If it is a late night . . . you KNOW you throw a great party because people do not want to leave. ;)  (Thought on coffee. I don't want it to be interpreted as a cue, so I have coffee on during entire party, for those quests who want it.)

14. What To Wear.

Simple and comfortable is what I go for.  I am always moving between kitchen and living area so I want to be comfortable. (but stylish).  Also, inevitably, I will get food from cooking on something ~ so something I can clean easily.  Also, if you are too dressed up, it could make your guests feel uncomfortable ~ like they should have dressed up more.  Best to let them know  what kind of party your having in terms of what to wear.

15. Send Guests Home With Treats.

Send them home with food memory from the night. If you are really close to your guests or if it's family, you can pack up beautifully styled to go boxes of the meal/dessert.  For a party I’m having this Fall, I am making mini apple pies wrapped with a flannel bow. (because flannel  of course = fall) for guests to take home.   BUT, you don’t have to make your take home treats. You can get treats and style it up for them to take home.