The Recipe for a Great Holiday Potluck

The holidays are about food, family and friends. A potluck meal is an easy way to get everyone involved in creating a stress-free and delicious holiday. Here are five ingredients to make your Atwell holiday potluck memorable.

Assign menu items.

As the host, you set the tone and theme for your meal. Do you have a traditional turkey dinner in mind? Or, are you envisioning a meal of creative new recipes to showcase in your new Atwell kitchen? Whether you are serving family heirloom recipes or the latest farm-to-table fare, be sure to factor in your guests’ dietary restrictions. For a good rule of thumb, plan a mix of items that span five broad categories: appetizers, main dish, side dishes, desserts and drinks.

Then let your guests sign up for their contribution. Check Pinterest or SignUpGenius for fun potluck sign-up sheets, or create your own. List out the categories and quantity of items needed. Let the non-cooks in on the fun, too. Include sign-up options for drinks, ice, chips, crackers and paper goods.

Keep it fun.

The holidays are not the time to stress over fancy decorations, but some simple decor can set a fun and festive tone. Give your buffet a holiday touch with candles, gourds and vases of fall floral stems. Football fanatics? Make your Atwell living room gridiron-central by inviting guests to wear their team colors and creating a football grid to liven up the competition.

Designate drink and dessert centers.

The holidays are a great way to show off the beautiful areas of your Atwell home. Set up drink and dessert stations apart from your other food buffet for easier accessibility and to encourage flow in your home. Add some fun with a special holiday drink concoction, like apple cider mimosas and non-alcoholic treats.

Get creative with your dessert setup, too. Why not have several sweets stations grouped by type – pies, cookies, cakes? Or, try bite-sized desserts perfect for grazing.

Involve guests in cleanup.

Don’t be bashful in asking for help when it comes to cleanup! Let one team handle washing and drying fancy tableware. Another can gather trash, while another packs up leftovers into take-home containers.

Get outside.

With the meal and cleanup complete, take some time to enjoy the great outdoors at Atwell. Take a stroll around the miles of meandering trails across Atwell’s 1,500 acres. Play a game of frisbee on the large open lawn. Or, just kick back and enjoy your time with family and friends.

Want a home where holiday entertaining is easy and fun? Contact a New Home Specialist at (951) 355-7849 today.