A warm breeze, the smell of grilling and the sounds of music and laughter drifting from across a backyard barbecue or patio party were summer’s free passes to simple entertainment. Yet, as the warm summer season unfolds into fall’s chilly embrace, outdoor entertaining is swept away with the fallen leaves, and indoor party planning takes center stage in your home’s hospitality repertoire. Fall back in love with entertaining this season with these three tips for the ultimate autumn dinner party.
The Menu
The chapter has closed on barbecue steak grilling, yet the pressures of cooking for large family gatherings aren’t yet upon us. Intimate dinner parties are a great way to celebrate nothing but the season of bounty. Keep in theme with the scents and savors of fall by serving delicious appetizers like a cheddar and hard cider fondue or a roasted sweet potato salsa with a baked baguette. Tantalize taste buds with an entrée of butternut squash ravioli with sage browned butter or rosemary-garlic pork with roasted vegetables and caramelized apples. It’s not a well-kept secret that the Amish make some of the best pies around. So treat your guests to the culinary delight of a fresh baked apple pie with caramel apple dumplings.
The Décor
Nothing says fall flair like a beautiful autumn centerpiece to compliment your table’s stylish rustic themed look. A decorating diva on a dime can use natural elements like dried rose petals coupled with feathers or dried wheat in a glass vase set among small pumpkins and over-sized pinecones for the center of her table. She can also re-purpose a rust-toned quilt, linen or tablecloth coupled with pumpkins, nuts, and fresh urns from outside to create the perfect dining experience. Now, imagine these decorations set atop a stunning extendable table like the Chancellor Double Pedestal Table that can seat up to 20 guests if need be.
The Refreshments
No dinner party is complete without a fair share of refreshments. A great host knows to always welcome guests with a refreshing cocktail, glass of wine or bottle of beer upon arrival. For fall inspired drinks, go with a local pumpkin beer, a Captain Morgan spiced rum and apple cider concoction or a mulled cider to get things going. For a white wine option, this season is all about the full bodied, fermented to dryness Alsatian Riesling or a Burgundy Pinot Noir with hints of red cherries, strawberries, and cranberries, violets, tomato leaf, cured meats and black tea.
If the entertaining diva in you is in need of new furniture to impress your guests this season, feel free to browse our website. We offer fully customizable Amish furniture that is sure to impress family and friends and Amish tables that can fit everyone in on the dining and fun.