Style - If the party is large, consider having a buffet. It is easy – the food all goes on the table at once and guests are free to visit the culinary display at their leisure. They can then choose to sit in various areas of your home that you have designated for that purpose. This lends a comfortable air even to a smaller group. Often I will offer a buffet without much quandary about the number of guests. I may set my dining room table, if it accommodates all of my visitors, and invite them to enjoy a more formal dining experience.

It is quite exciting to serve guests at the table, but this involves a lot of running around for the hosts, including arranging food on plates, serving, and removing plates. If you have teenage helpers or other support to assist you, a meal served from soup to dessert can be very elegant and rewarding for your guests.