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INVITATIONS
It is always nice to receive a personalized invitation to a special holiday event. The best way I have found is to utilize that piece of equipment sitting in the corner called the "Personal Computer". If you have software that caters to making the invitations this is great. If you don't no need to worry you can use MS Word or MS Works. With the combination of your creativity and the available software you can create some wonderful invitations.
To save postage, send the invitations via email to those of your friends and family that have access to the Internet. If not just send them by the usual method of mailing.
MENU
When planning your menu you want delicious foods that are easy to make.
SALAD
Instead of a tossed salad that takes up a tremendous amount of time chopping the different variety of greens and such, I suggest a nice Caesar salad. The only preparation is breaking up the Romain lettuce, toss and serve. My children love to tear at the lettuce and give them a sense of "helping mommy". (Make sure they wash their hands)
You can also make your favorite macaroni and potato salads. They are fairly easy to make and can be made a day or two before the party.
SANDWICHES
Cold cut platters are always a great idea, but it can be costly, so in place of the cold cuts, go with tuna, chicken and egg salad. You can spice them up or leave plain depending on what you think your guests would enjoy. They can be served on the buffet table in a fancy bowl that you can get from a dollar store in your area, dress them up with some parsley. Make sure to position the rolls (dinner size is always nice, in case your guests cannot decide what they want and they can take one of each) close to the salads. You can even set some lettuce in the area. If you have the energy, you can put the sandwiches together yourself and place them on a decorative platter.
HOT DISHES
I found the easiest and most favored hot dish is baked Ziti. You can use sauce that you purchase from the grocery store or use your own (I use my own, I always have a supply in my freezer). You can prepare this a day or two in advance.
Of course what goes better with Ziti are the meatballs. Now a days in the "Warehouse Clubs", they sell pre-made meatballs at comparable prices. You can heat these up and add your favorite sauce, BINGO you have a wonderful compliment to your Ziti.
Another easy dish is Keilbasa and sauerkraut. This is just opening up these 2 ingredients and boil, boil and boil. You can even put them in a crock-pot and be away from home when the cook. This gives you the freedom for those last minute errands. This dish also breaks up the buffet table with a totally different taste.
And finally one of my favorites is baked beans. You take some canned baked beans and doctor them as you normally would with the ketchup, mustard, brown sugar etc., some bacon and lay it across the top of the beans, and about 3 hours in a 275° oven and your beans are ready for storage and reheating.
DECORATIONS
You want the elegance the season has to offer. I find that greenery and little white lights make a wonderful combination. The center of the room is the buffet table. Little tea lights and some greenery will make the table very inviting. If you have accommodations for a sit-down, then be sure to place a tea light or two on the guests tables. In the restroom a candle in a safe container adds that "special touch" and keeps the room filled with whatever scent you decide you want. No need for embarrassing situations. You can put a few "special decoration" to suit whatever you're celebrating but not too much. I think in this situation you shouldn't go overboard. You have enough to worry about like YOUR ENJOYMENT
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