Cheap Entertaining Ideas: Hosting a Holiday Pot Luck

Let's face it- some years, you just dread that Thanksgiving meal, and you know it's going to be a hard-candy, Charlie Brown Christmas. Don't let that put a damper on your holiday season. Putting on a dinner party that breaks your bank is hardly the makings of a warm, memorable family occasion, and cancelling it kind of defeats the whole purpose of the holidays- togetherness. This year- go for the frugal yet festive alternative: host a pot luck.

Plan Early

To host a successful family pot-luck, invite people early. Let them know you plan to have a pot-luck dinner and that you would like them to contribute something to the meal. Throw in a little compliment, such as, "your special rhubarb and sweet potato casserole is always such a hit, would you mind bringing it to share?" or "Those sweet rolls you get at the bakery near your house are divine, they would be great for our Thanksgiving dinner! Would you mind?"

Let everyone know how many people are expected to show up. Try to co-ordinate what everyone is bringing so that you don't end up with twelve dessert dishes and just one side for dinner. If possible, get everyone on an e-mail loop so you can all decide together what everyone will contribute.

Get The Kitchen Ready

Before the holidays, make sure your kitchen is ready for the pot luck. Some people might need to do at least partial preparation at your house, or need refrigerate or re-heat things. They'll probably have large trays or pots and your stove, oven and refrigerator might end up in high demand.

You can make it easier on yourself. If you don't have any, try to get your hands on some crock pots. Ask if anyone has a crock pot that they bring it, if they're not bringing their meal in it. Clear your counter space, or set up a table near an outlet, so that as guests arrive any crock pot dishes can be plugged in and set to warm. Crock pots are especially great to keep soups and side dishes warm and ready for meal time without having to fuss with an oven.

Another good idea that is a modest investment is getting a sterno with trays and holders at the local party store. Before people arrive, light the sternos and put some water to heat up in the large tray. As guests arrive, transfer their warm dishes to the smaller foil trays and set them in the sternos.

Keep a couple of coolers handy as well with some ice in them to receive anything coming over that's cold. You can even keep these outside to get them out of your way while everyone is mulling about the kitchen.

Make sure your spice cabinet is stocked for any last minute seasonings or cooking. Also drag out some of those serving trays, platters and bowls stashed away in your closet. Wash them and put them somewhere handy to transfer food if needed. Ask anyone ahead of time if they have something that will need baking, and preheat your oven about 20 minutes before they get there so the dish can go right inside.

Countdown Till Dinner Time

Place all of your table setting items-- dishes, silverwear, glasses, napkins, salt and pepper shakers, etc.-- near the dining room table before your guests arrive. As meal time approaches, there will probably be several cooks running to the kitchen to check on their food. The less you have to walk through the kitchen openingin cabinets and doors around hustling people, the better.

As host, provide a variety of nice beverages, such as mulled wines or holiday punches. Also provide a nice assortment of appetizers for people to much on as you wait for everyone to arrive and dinner to be served. Place these out on trays in the dining room or living at about the time your guests should start arriving.

Invite guests over at least an hour before dinner will be served. That way, if anyone gets caught up in traffic, they won't walk in after dinner, when everyone is stuffed, carrying a large tray of corn.

With a little forethought, your family holiday meal has the potential of a major feast, since making only one dish is so much easier and budget-friendly for everyone, and people are often eager to share their holiday favorites.