possible. Have a few specific jobs in mind: Taking coats, passing hors d’oeuvres, filling glasses and lighting candles, delivering plated entrées to the table or helping with clearing or cleaning up. These are all things you can ask a good friend to do—as long as you don’t ask her to do too much! You still want her to feel like a guest and have plenty of time to socialize and enjoy the receiving end of your hospitality. A small gift accompanied by a note of thanks is a wonderful way to show your appreciation for her graciousness and generosity.
H IRE A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR’S TEEN OR A COLLEGE STUDENT TO HELP. This option is easy on the pocketbook, but do factor in the time you might need to show your help what you’d like them to do and how to do it. Of course, if it works out, you know you have reliable help for future parties. (See Working with Nonprofessional Help, opposite.)
H IRE PROFESSIONALS. Professionals can save you time, stress, and even money. For time-stressed hosts, it may be a better value than you think—it means no shopping, no running around, no cooking, no serving, no cleaning up. Caterers come with all the equipment they need so you don’t need to rent it, clean it, or return it. Plus, you can be a guest at your own party!
“Can I Help?”
I n these casual times, most guests (especially close friends) will make a genuine offer to pitch in. If you aren’t using professional help and are feeling slightly overwhelmed, by all means take your friends up on their generous offers. Here’s a list of possible light chores a guest can do without being made to feel that he’s suddenly “on staff”:
Passing hors d’oeuvres
Lighting candles
Filling water glasses
Opening and pouring wine
Delivering plated courses to the table
Bringing bread or salad to the table
Helping to clear between courses (one person per six guests)
Helping to serve dessert and/or coffee
Working with Nonprofessional Help
I n high school, we were often the designated help at our mom’s and aunt’s dinner parties, passing hors d’oeuvres, serving and clearing the table, and doing the cleanup. It was a great way to earn extra money, and a fun way to learn about entertaining. At first we were tapped because we were family members, but word got out, and soon other people around town were asking us to help serve at their parties.
Using high school or college-age kids for basic serving and cleanup help at your party is a great resource. It’s a good idea to hire two kids (it’s more fun for them to work in tandem, and you’ll have plenty of help), and if you’re planning a large holiday party, consider hiring one or two teens and providing them with large flashlights to direct guests to parking. Here are some things to discuss with your help in advance:
S ET AN HOURLY RATE .
B E CLEAR ABOUT ARRIVAL TIME . Have the kids come over a day or two before the party to familiarize themselves with your house and to get instructions. On the day of the party, ask them to arrive an hour or two in advance to help out with the final preparations.
D ETERMINE WHICH JOBS THEY’LL PERFORM. Among their possible duties: taking coats, passing hors d’oeuvres, picking up glasses and napkins, emptying bowls for pits or toothpicks, refreshing platters and bar items, and, for a dinner party, serving and clearing the table.
S ET EXPECTATIONS FOR ATTIRE. This is especially important for high schoolers. Typically, servers wear black pants or skirts with a white or black shirt, and clean, appropriate shoes. (Clean black sneakers are fine.) Otherwise, ask for conservative, clean and ironed clothing.
E STABLISH THE GROUND RULES. Discuss when it’s appropriate for the helpers to take a break, whether smoking is permitted, and if food will be provided. Also, let them know that they shouldn’t accept any tips from guests for services such as valet-style parking.
It’s important to set the tone and standards for service beforehand with professionals and
H IRE A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR’S TEEN OR A COLLEGE STUDENT TO HELP. This option is easy on the pocketbook, but do factor in the time you might need to show your help what you’d like them to do and how to do it. Of course, if it works out, you know you have reliable help for future parties. (See Working with Nonprofessional Help, opposite.)
H IRE PROFESSIONALS. Professionals can save you time, stress, and even money. For time-stressed hosts, it may be a better value than you think—it means no shopping, no running around, no cooking, no serving, no cleaning up. Caterers come with all the equipment they need so you don’t need to rent it, clean it, or return it. Plus, you can be a guest at your own party!
“Can I Help?”
I n these casual times, most guests (especially close friends) will make a genuine offer to pitch in. If you aren’t using professional help and are feeling slightly overwhelmed, by all means take your friends up on their generous offers. Here’s a list of possible light chores a guest can do without being made to feel that he’s suddenly “on staff”:
Passing hors d’oeuvres
Lighting candles
Filling water glasses
Opening and pouring wine
Delivering plated courses to the table
Bringing bread or salad to the table
Helping to clear between courses (one person per six guests)
Helping to serve dessert and/or coffee
Working with Nonprofessional Help
I n high school, we were often the designated help at our mom’s and aunt’s dinner parties, passing hors d’oeuvres, serving and clearing the table, and doing the cleanup. It was a great way to earn extra money, and a fun way to learn about entertaining. At first we were tapped because we were family members, but word got out, and soon other people around town were asking us to help serve at their parties.
Using high school or college-age kids for basic serving and cleanup help at your party is a great resource. It’s a good idea to hire two kids (it’s more fun for them to work in tandem, and you’ll have plenty of help), and if you’re planning a large holiday party, consider hiring one or two teens and providing them with large flashlights to direct guests to parking. Here are some things to discuss with your help in advance:
S ET AN HOURLY RATE .
B E CLEAR ABOUT ARRIVAL TIME . Have the kids come over a day or two before the party to familiarize themselves with your house and to get instructions. On the day of the party, ask them to arrive an hour or two in advance to help out with the final preparations.
D ETERMINE WHICH JOBS THEY’LL PERFORM. Among their possible duties: taking coats, passing hors d’oeuvres, picking up glasses and napkins, emptying bowls for pits or toothpicks, refreshing platters and bar items, and, for a dinner party, serving and clearing the table.
S ET EXPECTATIONS FOR ATTIRE. This is especially important for high schoolers. Typically, servers wear black pants or skirts with a white or black shirt, and clean, appropriate shoes. (Clean black sneakers are fine.) Otherwise, ask for conservative, clean and ironed clothing.
E STABLISH THE GROUND RULES. Discuss when it’s appropriate for the helpers to take a break, whether smoking is permitted, and if food will be provided. Also, let them know that they shouldn’t accept any tips from guests for services such as valet-style parking.
It’s important to set the tone and standards for service beforehand with professionals and
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