Holiday Entertaining Tips for the Host or Hostess

UNION, N.J., Oct. 9 -- Follow these simple tips from the
experts at Bed Bath & Beyond(R) to ensure your holiday event gets rave
reviews.
-- Plan ahead. The key to minimizing holiday-induced anxiety is to plan
in advance. Take inventory now to make sure you have the essentials
you will need to serve your holiday meal - both basics and serving
pieces.

-- Save time and space. Use serving pieces with warming trays to free up
essential cooking space on your stove. To create additional space in
your oven, use a three-tier oven rack on one side that leaves the
other side open for more bulky food like the turkey allowing you to
cook more than one dish at a time.

-- Think off the wall. If you're hosting a buffet set up the buffet
table away from the wall to utilize both sides of the table to serve
food. Add unique, multi-level serving dishes to give your table a
fresh look.

-- Cover up. Give dining room chairs a more formal look by covering them
with chair covers. Remember, you can also cover folding chairs for
uniformity.

-- Offer your guests a choice. Set up at least 2 urns for your party,
one with coffee and one with hot water for the tea drinkers. Consider
a third for decaf.

-- Kids corner. Set up an official "kids table" covered with craft paper
and provide crayons so they can create works of art while eating.

-- A sign of a good meal is a messy table. Remember to use a microfiber
tablecloth which allows spills to bead up and wipe away cleanly. Also
double the amount of napkins you need so guests will have one for
dinner and a clean one for dessert.

-- Seasonal Solution. Transform your entertaining area by replacing
sheer window treatments with more luxurious ones made of taffeta or
chenille in warm, rich colors of the season.

-- Sweet Dreams. If you are having overnight guests, set up the spare bed
before they arrive. Make "Sweet Dreams" packages by placing a
toothbrush and a chocolate treat on their pillow wrapped with a
ribbon. Attach a "Sweet Dreams" card with the guests' name for a
personal touch.

-- Bathroom Makeover. It doesn't take a coat of paint to freshen up the
guest bathroom. A new bath ensemble and some decorative seasonal hand
towels will do the trick. Fresh flowers and scented lotion on the
counter are welcoming treats.
Visit Bed Bath & Beyond stores nationwide or online at
http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com. Whether shopping in stores or online, you will
find all the products you need to put together the perfect holiday event.


SOURCE Bed Bath & Beyond