This is for those who are having family celebrations including multiple generations.
Having conversation and creating atmosphere makes for a memorable occasion. Keeping everyone at the table instead of serving and clearing will facilitate communication and camaraderie.
Nonetheless, getting the space ready and putting it back together again afterwards is a job. That’s why planning, organizing, and assigning the cleanup after the event are important to think through beforehand. Even though you may be the host, you want to manage your time on your feet. You want to enjoy the occasion, not just plan it.
- Have the table set, whether you are doing a family style meal or a buffet, a few days in advance will keep you calm and positive. Get help or do it in stages so it’s not burdensome. This includes cutlery, dinner plates, smaller plates, napkins, empty pitchers, salt shakers, and glasses. Arrange your tablescape as planned.
- Tell everyone you don’t want everyone to get up from the table. Ask or assign volunteer waiters who will each serve and bus one course. If you are having a crowd, you will need at least two per course. The others can do the final cleanup including clearing the table, sweeping the floor, and putting chairs back. If participants know from the outset that everyone will help and have a clear role, there’s more cooperation and less fussing.
- Have a platter of cheeses with crackers or a whole side of fish as your first course. Neither requires refrigeration nor heating up. Everyone can help themselves or be served from the table while sitting.
- Serve soup. It’s filling, cheap, and keeps everyone seated if you serve from a tureen. Have the ladle, bowls, and tureen near your stove before your guests arrive so that the waiter for that course can easily do his/her job.
- Place serving pieces for the main dish next to the stove/oven along with mitts and a trivet before the guests arrive. Use oven-to-table ware to obviate the need to transfer food to platters.
- Side dishes should be in a crockpot or in the fridge with the serving pieces along side.
- Dessert should be pre-scooped and frozen. Best is pie, cobbler, or a whole cake that can be served at the table. Make sure you have extra forks and spoons available as well as dessert plates (or saucers).
- Your program (games, songs, speeches, or performances for the family) should begin after the meal. Everyone will already be sated, have had conversation with others, and will already be in a convivial mood. Little kids can then scamper off to play in another with new games or special craft items prepared for this purpose. They should be easy to understand and not require parental instructions or involvement.
- A photo session can end the celebration; you do not want be interrupted every few minutes. All too often, gatherings are filmed and photographed, not experienced. Tell participants at the outset that a family photo session will take place towards the end of the celebration. You may want to assign a family photographer who will share the photos. That will keep people from being impatient.
Remember that if you are hosting, you are in charge. You have responsibilities as well as rights. Use them to plan, enlist your help, keep order, and ensure cleanup before departure time.
Caring Professionals Home Care Resources are available to read here:
