Party Like Martha: Tips for Easy Entertaining

Top 5

(out of 16) Add A New Item Share

4 Votes

Line the trash cans with 3 liners. If you are lucky enough for one of the guys to offer to take out he trash, they won't be back to replace the liner.

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Momwithcamera added this item on November 16, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 16, 2009

Sandy D commented on November 16, 2009 - Great idea!

Madonna H voted on November 16, 2009

Randi K commented on November 19, 2009 - That's so right-on! Even if I convince my husband to take out the trash, it would be 3 weeks before he discovered that the trash can remained without a bag!

Loving Life With God voted on October 29, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

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4 Votes

I always put out my serving dishes ahead of time, in each dish I put a small note saying what goes in the dish (e.g. carrots, stuffing, etc.) This way, when people ask what can I do, I say please put out the stuffing and they know exactly what to do.

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Sharon S added this item on November 16, 2009

lovemycrazylife commented on November 16, 2009 - I wish I was that with it! :)

Madonna H voted on November 16, 2009

aw voted on November 20, 2009

Florestine A commented on March 10, 2010 - That's a very good idea because whenever people are invited to an event ,they always ask ,What can they do to help and to have the pans label it's much easier to allow them to help.

Sarah D voted on November 3, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

Lynn T commented on November 9, 2010 - I do that too...I use sticky notes so that the tags are more likely to stay where they need to be! Makes it easy for the kids to help out too.

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3 Votes

Let someone else do it :)

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Sandy D added this item on November 13, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 13, 2009

Madonna H voted on November 16, 2009

Cecil G voted on March 1, 2010

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3 Votes

I always put a extra place setting on the table and pray for the perfect person to fill the spot. I am now in my 35th year of serving others and love it. Try it your life will become so rich. I have had people from all over the world set with us.

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Doris K added this item on November 16, 2009

Laura B voted on November 17, 2009

Laura B commented on November 17, 2009 - This is the greatest! We often set an extra place for those we have lost. I really love your idea.

Anita D voted on December 9, 2009

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

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3 Votes

With over 20 guests for dinner I have learned: keep the meal simple. We have a ham, turkey, dressing, 2 kinds of potatoes and vegetables. When asked, I have most guests bring desserts.

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Donna I added this item on November 16, 2009

Mom B voted on November 16, 2009

Fauzi K voted on November 16, 2009

aw voted on November 20, 2009

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2 Votes

Make as much as you can ahead of time. I usually find the recipes I want to make, then google "Make Ahead" and the dish. For most items, there is a way to do some or all of the prep ahead of time.

View All 3

Sandy D added this item on November 13, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 13, 2009

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

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1 Votes

Always be the guest . . . never the hostess. :-D

Vicki G added this item on November 16, 2009

Madonna H voted on November 16, 2009

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1 Votes

Ham.turkey can be prepared a day in advance. Bake as usual, then slice/remove from bones and place in pans, cover with baking juices and/or additional broth/refrigerate. To serve, just warm in med. oven, covered, 2+ hours. Meat is hot, moist, easy!

View All 3

Ann O added this item on November 16, 2009

Ann O commented on November 16, 2009 - Can save out meat juices/drippings for gravy and that is easy to have ready also with little fuss with this method.

Cherisse H voted on November 17, 2009

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1 Votes

I love home cooked meals! However, it's a lot of work. I am now older and wiser from observing my gradmother, mother, aunts going all the way for Thanksgiving! I have learned to keep it simple. I cook my favorite dish and order the rest from Luby's.

Maria H added this item on November 16, 2009

Anita D voted on December 9, 2009

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1 Votes

For kids' parties -- keep the guest list short and the plans simple. Age-appropriate parties where all children have a great time are more important than impressing other parents!

Flour Sack Mama added this item on October 29, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

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1 Votes

I make everything well ahead of time and put it in the deep freezer. On Thanksgiving I cook turkey and gravy reheat everything else. I also start buying sodas and wine well ahead of time. That way I don't have a monster grocery bill at the last minute.

Alicia R added this item on November 16, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 16, 2009

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1 Votes

Aways try new recipes ahead of time. The day you are entertaining is never the right time to try something new. Rely on recipes that you have effortlessly made before.

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Fauzi K added this item on November 16, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 16, 2009

Doris K commented on November 16, 2009 - I always put a extra place setting on the table and pray for the perfect person to fill the spot. I am now in my 35th year of serving others and love it. Try it your life will become so rich. I have had people from all over the world set with us.

Write a comment

0 Votes

Allow your guests to help a bit plating food, pouring drinks, cutting cake and removing dishes inbetween courses. This means people can get up from the table a bit, mingle with other guests and lends to a more convivial atmosphere!

Linda B added this item on November 16, 2009

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0 Votes

My mom hates cooking so she will buy prepared food...then change dishes! I love homemade food, so I usually ask for some to bring a dish or come early to help me. It makes cooking more fun! Always have an app ready so they don't get too hungry!

Kristi F added this item on November 16, 2009

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0 Votes

Use a crock pot (aka slow cooker) to prepare some food ahead of time. I love this method of cooking - fix it and forget about it until you need it :-)

Dynee M added this item on November 16, 2009

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0 Votes

Trader Joe's has some great holiday foods--I like their frozen appetizers, and they have great and unusual snacks. I usually go there and buy some unique appetizers, snacks, dessert items and coffee--this helps to fill in the gaps!

Amanda P added this item on November 16, 2009

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Latest Items Added

1 Votes

For kids' parties -- keep the guest list short and the plans simple. Age-appropriate parties where all children have a great time are more important than impressing other parents!

Flour Sack Mama added this item on October 29, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

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3 Votes

I always put a extra place setting on the table and pray for the perfect person to fill the spot. I am now in my 35th year of serving others and love it. Try it your life will become so rich. I have had people from all over the world set with us.

View All 5

Doris K added this item on November 16, 2009

Laura B voted on November 17, 2009

Laura B commented on November 17, 2009 - This is the greatest! We often set an extra place for those we have lost. I really love your idea.

Anita D voted on December 9, 2009

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

Write a comment

4 Votes

Line the trash cans with 3 liners. If you are lucky enough for one of the guys to offer to take out he trash, they won't be back to replace the liner.

View All 7

Momwithcamera added this item on November 16, 2009

Sandy D voted on November 16, 2009

Sandy D commented on November 16, 2009 - Great idea!

Madonna H voted on November 16, 2009

Randi K commented on November 19, 2009 - That's so right-on! Even if I convince my husband to take out the trash, it would be 3 weeks before he discovered that the trash can remained without a bag!

Loving Life With God voted on October 29, 2010

Mum4ever♫ voted on November 4, 2010

Write a comment

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Party Like Martha: Tips for Easy Entertaining

Top 5

Line the trash cans with 3 liners. If you are lucky enough for one of the guys to offer to take out he trash, they won't be back to replace the liner.

I always put out my serving dishes ahead of time, in each dish I put a small note saying what goes in the dish (e.g. carrots, stuffing, etc.) This way, when people ask what can I do, I say please put out the stuffing and they know exactly what to do.

Let someone else do it :)

I always put a extra place setting on the table and pray for the perfect person to fill the spot. I am now in my 35th year of serving others and love it. Try it your life will become so rich. I have had people from all over the world set with us.

With over 20 guests for dinner I have learned: keep the meal simple. We have a ham, turkey, dressing, 2 kinds of potatoes and vegetables. When asked, I have most guests bring desserts.

View All 16 Items

Make as much as you can ahead of time. I usually find the recipes I want to make, then google "Make Ahead" and the dish. For most items, there is a way to do some or all of the prep ahead of time.

Always be the guest . . . never the hostess. :-D

Ham.turkey can be prepared a day in advance. Bake as usual, then slice/remove from bones and place in pans, cover with baking juices and/or additional broth/refrigerate. To serve, just warm in med. oven, covered, 2+ hours. Meat is hot, moist, easy!

I love home cooked meals! However, it's a lot of work. I am now older and wiser from observing my gradmother, mother, aunts going all the way for Thanksgiving! I have learned to keep it simple. I cook my favorite dish and order the rest from Luby's.

For kids' parties -- keep the guest list short and the plans simple. Age-appropriate parties where all children have a great time are more important than impressing other parents!

I make everything well ahead of time and put it in the deep freezer. On Thanksgiving I cook turkey and gravy reheat everything else. I also start buying sodas and wine well ahead of time. That way I don't have a monster grocery bill at the last minute.

Aways try new recipes ahead of time. The day you are entertaining is never the right time to try something new. Rely on recipes that you have effortlessly made before.

Allow your guests to help a bit plating food, pouring drinks, cutting cake and removing dishes inbetween courses. This means people can get up from the table a bit, mingle with other guests and lends to a more convivial atmosphere!

My mom hates cooking so she will buy prepared food...then change dishes! I love homemade food, so I usually ask for some to bring a dish or come early to help me. It makes cooking more fun! Always have an app ready so they don't get too hungry!

Use a crock pot (aka slow cooker) to prepare some food ahead of time. I love this method of cooking - fix it and forget about it until you need it :-)

Trader Joe's has some great holiday foods--I like their frozen appetizers, and they have great and unusual snacks. I usually go there and buy some unique appetizers, snacks, dessert items and coffee--this helps to fill in the gaps!

Latest Items Added

For kids' parties -- keep the guest list short and the plans simple. Age-appropriate parties where all children have a great time are more important than impressing other parents!

I always put a extra place setting on the table and pray for the perfect person to fill the spot. I am now in my 35th year of serving others and love it. Try it your life will become so rich. I have had people from all over the world set with us.

Line the trash cans with 3 liners. If you are lucky enough for one of the guys to offer to take out he trash, they won't be back to replace the liner.

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