When the first steps in pulling together a last-minute entertaining event are done, it's time to think about the finer details. By this time your public spaces have been tidied and decluttered. You’ve set up your centralized buffet and filled it will a delightful offering of bagels, muffins, fresh fruit, yogurt, granola and quiche. You’ve added in a coffee service, and you’re now ready for the finishing touches.
Beverage Service
In addition to the coffee service, you will want to offer a selection of chilled juices and perhaps iced water too. A well stocked freezer will yield a couple of cans of frozen concentrated orange juice and another can or two of an alternative juice. Cranberry or apple juices are wonderful alternatives, since they will add a pleasant splash of color and and an alternative flavor choice to your beverage service.
Final Touches
At this point, take one last run through your party space. Check to make sure that the buffet layout starts with a stack of plates and napkins. Set out pretty glasses on the tables; these will house flatware for your guests. Distribute a few trash cans throughout your space.
Now is the time to wash the dishes you dirtied while creating your buffet setup. Just stack them all in the dishwasher and set it to run. By the time the brunch is over, you’ll be able to empty the dishwasher and reload it with the pieces from your guests.
Straighten the linens on your tables, and more importantly, light the aromatherapy candles you’ll be using. A favorite fragrance for this type of event can be found with Arbonne’s Awaken aromatherapy candles. For only a few dollars, you can keep a stock of these clean burning, soy-based, naturally-fragranced candles. Within fifteen minutes of their being lit, your public space will swim in the candles’ soft and bright aroma that will enliven the senses of your guests!
Finally, take a look at your buffet, and fill any bare spots between the dishes with some seasonal items. Some suggestions to fill in the empty spaces would be fresh tulips in the spring, gerbera daisies or wildflowers in the summer, mini pumpkins, petite gourds or fall foliage in the autumn, and evergreen boughs, small glass ornaments or holiday candies in the winter. In addition, you could take advantage of your Party Closet to pull in any seasonal items that would work, such as plastic Easter eggs in the spring, patriotic miniatures around Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day, and of course, an assortment of hearts and cupids for Valentine’s Day.
