Fall serving ideas and tips: become a basket case.

Holiday serving ideas continued!

3- Cake plates are for more than desserts!

These are the most spectacular tool to make appetizers the star of any get together.  Don’t limit it to one size or even one layer.  Feel free to stack several to offer guests different levels of service.  Vary different flavors of cheeses as well as a mix of savory and salty.  Top with a small bowl if a sauce is needed or even a wine glass if shrimp tails or olive pits need a home.

4- For fall, nothing brings on the harvest feeling more than baskets of gourds or apples or little pumpkins. It never seems to get tired because their shapes are always so interesting.   Set up a buffet, dinner service area or even create a centerpiece from mini crates. Apples smell wonderful and don’t compete with food being served, so pick your favorite color or variety.  If you can mix with mini mums- flowers or plants. This usually can last up to a month and cover a lot of entertaining events during the season.

5- So remember the wreath on the chair by the front door?  Why not dress that up with bittersweet, herbs, or fall blossoms from the garden. Place a large hurricane by the door to greet guests as they come to the door.   Now, use this wreath and decoration idea to place around your centerpiece, buffet or serving platters.   Note: Herbs are fine if washed and dried but be very careful not to contaminate foods with decoratives that could have sprays, paints or cause poisonous reactions.  Keep under platters and away from touching foods.

6- Use baskets, new, antique, worn or weathered ( but scrubbed) wooden or copper bowls to serve a bounty of crackers or breads from to further the rural farm to table fashion and seasonal feelings.

7-Branches, leaves, pods can make simple arrangements with lots of drama.  For a very low cost of walking the field or forest (do be careful not to bring in bugs) many branch and pods are there for the asking in your own backyard.  It’s ok to buy store bought ones and mix in with some found ones for a unique look.