How to Wrap up a Party {Etiquette} and Cranberry Stuffing Appetizer
Etiquette tips for ending a party with style and grace, with a delicious Cranberry Stuffing Appetizer.
Can you believe how quickly the holidays arrived this year? They are here, and we are hosting twice this weekend, which I’m excited about. One party is with our friends who turned 80 this year! They are so special to us, and we’ve invited another couple to join us. I love multi-generational dinner parties! Another party is with … well, 3 lively couples. It will be a blast.
Holiday Dinner Party Menu.
I’m also a guest at RecipeGirl’s today with a delicious Holiday Menu! I’ve created a beautiful tablescape with silver and blues, and together with Lori menu with our recipes for a dinner party. Basically, we’ve done all the preparation for you!
Lori’s asked me to be an entertaining expert writer for her blog, so stay tune for more exciting dinner party ideas and menus!
When the night goes too long.
When it comes to hosting, I wonder how many of us worry about the night going too long. What is the polite way of ending a party, when you’re exhausted and ready for your guests to leave, and how do you do it all with class and ease?
I mean, how do you send your guests out the door in a time frame that works for you and still be gracious about it?
What if the guests are all having a great time? Is it okay to cut the party short and say it’s time for everyone to leave?
I’ve had readers ask me how to graciously wrap things up and encourage guests to leave.
What’s worked for my family and me for many years is simple. Because we’ve all had guests or family members who won’t leave, we don’t want to feel “caught” or “stuck” and let our graciousness fly out the door. So I’ve come up with these tips for helping “wrap up the party” – with grace and style!
How to wrap up a party.
-When you’re holding a party, think ahead to the time when you’d like the party to end.
-Be flexible – don’t be married to that time, because you may be having such a good time extending out the party.-If you have to be done by a certain time – let your guests know ahead of time. Most guests would be sensitive to the host’s needs.
-After the last course is served, and conversation is winding down, stand up and head into the kitchen (you can even start on the dishes).
-If the night is getting later than you had planned – go put your slippers on!
-Feel free to explain that you have to get up early – start moving toward the door.
The sign of a great party.
Obviously, the sign of a great party is when the guests don’t want to leave, my husband always reminds me.
Paul’s quick-witted humor also comes out as our friends are leaving, when he says, “Come back when you can’t stay as long!” (It’s our family joke.)
With the holidays here, I’ve learned to sit back, enjoy the spirit of the holidays with our friends, and not be so quick to get to the next event, even if that means saying “no” to some things. I don’t want to fall into bed exhausted from cramming too much into my schedule, that I lose my grace toward my family and friends!
Cranberry Stuffing Appetizer.
Now for the Cranberry Stuffing Appetizer recipe. Start with your favorite crackers. I like these small rosemary cranberry crackers at Trader Joe’s.
Next layer Crème Fraîche on each cracker.
And a small spoonful of leftover stuffing!
Top with your favorite cranberry chutney or sauce, and serve!
Perfect holiday mouthful.
I took these “bites” to a party and they were well received. The perfect holiday mouthful.
What are your tips for gracious ways of ending a party?
Get the Recipe:
Cranberry Stuffing Appetizer
Ingredients
- Crackers
- Crème Fraîche
- Stuffing
- Cranberry Chutney, or cranberry sauce
Instructions
- Lay out 10-12 small crackers.
- Spread a small amount of Crème Fraîche on each cracker, next with a small spoonful of stuffing.
- Add a small dollop of cranberry sauce on top and serve!
Looking for more EASY appetizers?
Cranberry Pear Chutney Appetizer
Baked Brie Bites
Honey Crisp and Goat Cheese Ladyfinger Crostini
Walnut and Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Ricotta with Lemon, Basil, Honey Bruschetta
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
One of my favorite end-of-the-night lines “Honey, we need to go to bed so these people can go home!” Can’t use it with everyone, but always sends ’em laughing
Love the appetizer and what a beautifully set table! :)
Yum, looks good. I often will put a time on the invitation but usually if I really want to wind something down I’ll start putting stuff away, etc..
These are great tip and those apps look amazing!