Having things organized and ready for parties can be notoriously difficult when you have a full plate, so to speak, and a lot going on. Put some of the things you'd like to get organized to the side, after you catch your breath -- going back to them later, doing what you can to keep things moving along.
When you get a minute...
D ivide successfully - pull the things that you use for your parties out of all of your cabinets and drawers. Utensils are fabulously easy to find, creating equipment organizational "harmony" relationships that allow you to easily revisit what you have and what you can actually use to serve food at your parties.
Arrange equipment by food courses, deciding which platter, bowl, or urn you'll place with each serving utensil as per each "course" - - for example... hors d'eouvres or appetizers, and entree, dessert.
Platters work well when you have big parties. They allow you to serve larger amounts of food and they're easier to garnish.*
Consider food temperatures - most people use what they've got (which I'm a big advocate of) but don't always consider where they'll store things in regard to the "look" and the end result of their party aesthetic, forgetting to "think like a planner" and be organized like a planner.
Dedicate space in your pantry or cupboard for items such as your oven-proof china and plastic food serving pieces that can't withstand extreme hot or cold temperatures - each well labeled - spaced adequately, so you can also make room for your beverage items. While you're arranging things, go through what you have and purge things that irrevocably don't work, aren't used, or you don't like. This will also help you to know what you've got in your party arsenal.
Improve and expand your vision - buried platters, bowls, and utensils need to be up front and visible. Pull things out of boxes and stack items that are stackable toward the front.
Refresh your inventory - clean your equipment at least quarterly. Ready-to-go party equipment will make your life easier.
Party equipment can be notorious dust catchers -- things pushed to the back of your shelves and often not used.
Get organized
Go through your cabinets, shelves, drawers and cupboards and find every lid and accessory that goes with what you've got. Fight disorder. When things aren't grouped together your organization problem can be worse.
Label boxes
What good is being organized and having things put away so when you need them you don't know what is where? Not. Good.
Hang things
Make more room by hanging things. Get as many things off shelves and off the floor and hung up to alleviate clutter.
Line shelves & drawers
Doing so won't specifically help with being organized but it will keep your party equipment looking good, especially when it's old or fragile. This can be necessary when you don't want to be distracted by the real task at hand - keeping everything you need in good working order and ready for the next party.
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I do this... I write to help to create to opportunities for all who choose to pursue their passion to have parties almost irregardless regard to economic constraints.
I think if we keep talking about the cost of parties (I write blog posts, you write comments), together, maybe we can break down some of the party industry's price barriers and shame some of the people who've taken your money and delivered a poor quality product right into growing a conscious and treating you right (nice thought, huh?).
Opportunities to be inspired about parties are everywhere. Yet, people looking out for your wallet are few and far between. My goal is to inspire you, causing you to question the way things are that have been the status quo for too long. When we stand together and speak up, we can be a powerful force.
Let's keep the conversation of change going. Because in the sea of everyone talking, one voice is a whisper... several voices are a scream.
Leave a comment and share your thoughts, ideas and suggestions below. Remember to be as specific as possible because what you have to say helps us all.
Always... be encouraged and encourage others too,
