ENTERTAIN THE EASY WAY
WITH APPETIZERS THAT ARE THE LIFE OF THE PARTY
Internet Options Provide Stress-Free Entertaining
(EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., September 28, 2006) – Holidays are a time to deck the halls and dust off those host and hostess aprons! However, holiday entertaining can sometimes be a little stressful – and being a harried host isn’t much fun at holiday parties. So instead of stress, entertain the easy way and serve food that is the life of the party! Appetizerstogo.com, an online purveyor of gourmet appetizers, has some handy holiday entertaining hints that will turn any gathering into a relaxed, fun and festive occasion.
- Tip #1: Always have some entertaining food such as hors d'oeuvres in the freezer and ready to pop in the oven at a moment’s notice for that impromptu gathering -- whether it’s for the Christmas Carolers or a group of your best friends. www.Appetizerstogo.com is a great resource for planning every get-together and even has holiday themed combinations of appetizers, such as the Holiday Collection, which is 70 pieces of sophisticated appetizers including Beef Wellington, Citrus Infused Jumbo Lump Crabcakes, Duck a’la Orange and Poached Pear and Brie Bundles. For the more casual get-togethers, try the Coney Island Combo that includes 100 pieces of Mini Potato Knishes, Mini Reuben Sandwiches, everyone’s favorite - Franks in a Blanket, Coney Island Franks in a Blanket with Sauerkraut and Mustard and Potato Pancakes.
- Tip #2: Have colorful and holiday scented candles available and ready to light around the house/room/office and bring the aroma of the season into your home or party area.
- Tip #3: Purchase holiday-themed paper plates and napkins ahead of time or at the end of the season and keep handy for those times when people drop by or for the planned party – the fewer items you have to specifically shop for, the better.
- Tip #4: Go Potluck – want the minimal amount of holiday party preparation? Then invite friends over for a Potluck dinner or Potluck appetizer party. Enjoy a great variety of dishes with minimal preparation and virtually no clean up! Don’t know how much food you should bring? Appetizerstogo.com has an online party planner that will take away the guesswork on how much food you will need. On average, an adult will eat approximately seven (7) hors d’oeuvres at a cocktail party.
- Tip #5: Hostess Gifts/Holiday Gifts – have some hostess gifts on hand so you don’t have to worry about a gift to bring – a bottle of wine is the old standby, but why go basic? Appetizers are always a great gift and much appreciated during the busy holiday season – plus, they can be enjoyed immediately at the party, or saved by the hostess for later enjoyment. Appetizerstogo.com also offers hostess gifts shipped in a decorative box and during the holidays, all appetizers are shipped FREE (with a box purchase) directly from Appetizers To Go. Try the Hostess Gift Collection - 40 pieces of yummy Artichoke and Crab Crust-free Mini Tortes, Asparagus Roll-ups, Duck a’la Orange Bundles and Citrus Infused Crabcakes.
- Tip #6: Utilize the Internet! The internet can make life so much easier – from grocery shopping online and the availability of gourmet food products such as appetizers from Appetizerstogo.com, to gift shopping and party supplies, the internet has changed the way planning, shopping and consuming is done. Party invitations can now be sent via e-mail and there are even websites that will keep track of your guest’s responses and e-mail daily updates.
- Tip #7: Limit the number of beverages served – create a special and festive atmosphere by pre-mixing drinks in advance and storing in beautiful pitchers on ice. Guests can self-serve and the need for a full bar isn’t an issue. Remember the non-alcoholic versions too and have plenty of bottled water on hand as well.
- Tip #8: Have a tree-trimming party. A great way to get your tree decorated in a flash. Provide popcorn and string for those guests who want to really pitch in.
- Tip #9: Have an Open House – want to entertain but worried about space? Invite guests over for an Open House where guests simply drop by at various times and stay for shorter periods of time.
- Tip #10: Relax. Holidays are about being together with family and good friends. If all else fails, put on a copy of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and enjoy the togetherness.
These entertaining tips are favorites of the co-founders of Appetizerstogo.com, Matt Brown and his wife Karen Wolf Brown. Matt grew up in a home that always celebrated the holidays with lots of food and a festive atmosphere. His mother was a marketing research executive with General Foods and continually brought home new products to try – and the more people to try them, the merrier!
“Mom would always have some item stashed away in the freezer and whenever anyone came by, she served it up for everyone to try,” said Brown. Brown’s wife, Karen Wolf, also grew up in a household that was always ready for entertaining. Wolf noted “I learned a lot from my parents who were also in the food industry. No matter what the occasion, food was always part of the celebration.”
Appetizerstogo.com is an internet-based purveyor of fine gourmet appetizers. Each hors d’oeuvre is handmade from the freshest ingredients from award-winning, time-tested recipes, perfected by Master Chefs. www.Appetizerstogo.com offers more than 100 hors d’oeuvres shipped directly to the consumer, ready for any occasion whether it is an elegant anniversary, engagement or wedding reception, or a casual backyard barbecue, sophisticated New Year’s Eve extravaganza, hip Halloween Party or creative children’s party. www.Appetizerstogo.com can be found on the web at www.Appetizerstogo.com or by calling 1-800-757-0058. www.Appetizerstogo.com is a family-owned business with more than 25 years experience satisfying the discriminating palates of chefs, caterers, hoteliers and country clubs, and is managed by husband and wife team Matt Brown and Karen Wolf Brown, who have taken their years of experience in the foodservice industry and brought restaurant and cater-quality hors d’oeuvres directly to the general public via the internet.
