How to Make Great Party Trays

Most everyone has been invited to a party and asked to bring a dish of some kind with them. Today, it is common courtesy to offer to bring something. Once we have figured out what it is that we are going to bring, the next hurdle is what to serve it on. Do you use a good, expensive serving tray, and worry that something will happen to it? Or do you buy a cheap plastic tray, and worry that your dish will be the only one not presented in a festive manner? You do not have to use a good serving tray, nor do you have to spend a few dollars on a cheap plastic tray that you will throw away. This article explains how to make a fabulous party tray and have other party-goers envious.

Last weekend, I was invited to a Mardi Gras party. I live in northern Mississippi, right outside of Memphis. I volunteered to bring brownies, and I wanted to serve them on a festive Mardi Gras tray. I searched the area high and low, and no where could I find a party tray that was even Mardi Gras colors! I ended up a Party City, and I was about to spend $6 on a clear plastic serving. That's when it happened. I had an epiphany! For a couple of dollars, I picked up a sturdy gold, plastic serving tray. I then went to the Mardi Gras aisle and bought a couple strands of flat Mardi Gras beads. I headed home to begin my venture.

When you make a party tray, you can use any color tray you would like - I would recommend choosing a color that matches the theme of the party you are attending, and going from there. I would also recommend that you find a plastic one that is sturdy (plastic will also help keep the cost down). Next, you will want to find something small that you could use (with a hot glue gun) to go along the outside perimeter of the tray. For Mardi Gras, the purple beads were easy to glue on and looked fabulous. All you have to do is use the hot glue gun to stick your 'border" around the perimeter. You can put as much effort into this endeavor as you wish - the more creative you are, the more festive your tray will look.

These trays are not only good for making at Mardi Gras - you can make them for any holiday/seasonal event/theme party you might be attending. If you really wanted to, you could probably pull the glue off the tray to remove your border and the tray would be re-usable. Personally, I am going to keep the one that I made. In the summer, you could use small flowers or floral lace. At Halloween, you could go with pumpkin or skeleton beads. For Christmas, little trees or angels would be perfect as a border around a festively colored tray. Also, Ribbons would work very well. Ribbons are very inexpensive (try Wal-Mart or Michael's) and are easy to glue on.

Once you have glued your border on your tray and the glue has dried, you are ready to use it. Keep in mind what you will be serving on it when you chose the tray. Brownies, cookies and baked goods as such go great on a 9 X 13 tray. Fruits and veggies are well presented on a round tray. You could even make a chip and dip bowl with a large round plastic bowl. If you are hosting the party yourself, you could make several different trays that all match the same theme. Whatever it is that you need to serve, all you have to do is find the tray that suits your food and dress it up with festive decor. Good luck, and have fun!