New Year's Eve

December 27, 2011

Celebrate the season with good friends, good fun and sensational food. Wow the crowd and take the pressure off with time-saving products and clever presentation. Check out FRESH magazine for elegant and easy New Year's Eve menus that range from do-it-all-yourself to pick-it all-up-from-the-deli to one that's right in between.:

Tips to create a memorable evening:

Tip: Set the Scene

Going monochromatic keeps things simple - just accent the room with silver holiday decorations for some festive sparkle.

Tip: Some Like It Hot

A variety of hot appetizers is a must at a cocktail party. Start the first wave when guests arrive and wait an hour before serving the next round.

Tip: Serve-Yourself Drink Table

To prevent crowding, have serve-yourself drinks like wine, punch, and coffee on another table, and aim to keep a few surfaces around the room relatively clear so guests have a place to set glasses and plates.

Tip: Quality over Quantity

Allow for four to six hors d-oeuvres per hour per guest; however, you should estimate upwards and have extra snacks like pretzels, olives, and nuts around the room for hearty eaters.

Tip: Chill Space

Be aware of your fridge space; you can prepare a lot in advance, but you will need space to keep everything chilled without stacking trays and squashing all of your hard work.