Hosting a Garden Party

Hosting an outdoor afternoon springtime garden party doesn't need to be a stressful endeavor; in fact, being the party planner can be just as relaxing as being a party guest. How? Well, by making your decorations simple and your refreshments quick and uncomplicated, you will be able to enjoy your own garden party as much as your guests.

Think about decorations first-if you get those done ahead of time, you won't have to worry about them on the day of the party. Here are a few easy ideas:

Table Decorations

--Use a pretty pastel-colored tablecloth on your buffet table; tie it at the corners with a contrasting pastel ribbon.

--Purchase several bunches of white or green asparagus. Tie bunches together with the same pastel ribbon you used to tie the tablecloth corners.

--Tuck several seed packets on the table among your buffet serving plates.

Hanging Decorations

--Suspend a few bunches of spring flowers (real or artificial) tied together with pastel ribbon around the party area. If you choose real flowers, though, do not hang them near the food area; not only will the floral scent compete with the scent of the food, but the flowers could attract insects.

--Drape two or three shades of pastel ribbon around the party area, hanging them in a way similar to how you would hang crepe paper streamers.

Now that you have the decorations handled, it is time to consider the garden party refreshments. These, too, can be quite simple. Actually, you can prepare most of them before your party begins. Here are two ideas:

Begin this recipe a few hours before your garden party (the quantity you make will be determined by the number of guests you have):

Garden Party Bruschetta

Ingredients:

French bread baguettes, sliced into ½ inch pieces
Diced fresh garden vegetables, whatever you prefer (such as tomatoes, cucumber, zucchini, red peppers, onions, etc.)
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz brick cream cheese, softened

Directions:

Toast the baguette slices. Prepare the bruschetta spread by mixing the vegetables with the garlic cloves and then with the softened cream cheese. Before serving, spread the cream cheese mixture on the baguette slices.

This next recipe can be made completely in advance; just keep it in refrigerated until party time. As with the previous recipe, the quantity you will need to make will be determined by the number of guests you have coming to your garden party.

Lunchmeat Spirals

Ingredients for 40 spirals:

8 flour tortillas, 10 inch size (you can use flavored tortillas for this recipe)
½ c mayonnaise
1 packet Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Mix
½ pound cold cuts (whatever you like-ham, turkey, chicken, etc.)

Directions:

Mix the mayonnaise with the seasoning mix; spread this mixture on one side of each tortilla. Lay a few slices of lunchmeat on each tortilla. Roll tortillas up tightly; wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Remove plastic wrap and then cut each tortilla into five equal pieces. If you like, you can place a toothpick or appetizer stick in each spiral to make them easier for your guests to grab.

As you can see from both of the recipes above, garden party snacks can be quite easy to prepare. There are a lot of other simple and quick recipes that you can make for your guests, too-just search the internet and you will be able to find as many as you need.

Keep your party decorations and foods uncomplicated, and you will enjoy your own garden party. Have fun with it, and so will everyone else!