Menu – Many kinds of menu choices are available to you, depending on the type of party and the time of the event you are hosting. If you decide to give a cocktail party, hors d'Oeuvres are the obvious food accompaniment. “Dessert only” get-togethers are fun on a weekend afternoon or after a play/concert. Whether you serve only appetizers or go for a full meal, it is important to include enough variety so that all of your guests can find something to suitable to their tastes.

Making sure that you have prepared something from the four food groups ensures that the meal will be varied and healthy. Look over any favorite entrees, salads and vegetable recipes that you have prepared in the past. Make a list of them and determine how they might fit into your theme.

Once you have made a tentative menu, look it over and picture it served to your guests. Is the combination pleasing to the eye and the palate? Variations in color, texture, and food type excite the eye – presentation is everything! I made a wonderful menu once, only to find when I cooked it all, that every single item on the plate was green!

Above all have confidence in yourself, plan ahead, get help from other members of the family and have fun!