5 Reasons: Finger Foods

Top Five Reasons I LOVE Finger Foods:

Reason 1:  You can eat so many different type of foods because its not a large portion.

Reason 2:  Its easier for me to host parties with a mingle atmosphere because of the layout of my townhouse, finger foods let my guests eat and move around easily.  

Reason 3:  Finger Foods are usually A LOT cuter that other types of buffet arrangements!

Reason 4:  Serving finger foods lets me use this recipe for "Mini Spinach Dip Bread Bowls" by Picky Palate.  (I made them, and they are easy and DELICIOUS!)

Reason 5:  Finger foods let me choose option three from my question of "How Much Food?" by letting me make lots of different recipes and letting guests pick and choose which ones they want to eat.


Do you love finger foods?  

Call Me Maybe? RSVP Rules.

Does anyone else have Carly Rae’s “Call me, Maybe” stuck in their head ALL THE TIME? (I’m not the only one right?)

Well this post is not about that song… (but I bet your singing it in your head now).   

I wanted to converse about the idea of R.S.V.P.-ing.

R.S.V.P.:  Repondez, s’il vous plait or “Please Reply” (That’s about all I got out of high school French class!)

In the past (although I cannot find anything about this in my circa 1922 Emily Post Etiquette book), the etiquette around the idea of  R.S.V.P.-ing was to respond to an invitation (usually written or phone call) letting the host know if you will be attending.    

Do you think this is still how it is used today? 

I don’t really see the need for an R.S.V.P. on an invite to a buffet or other get together where the guest list doesn’t need to be exact.  I would think that the only need for an RSVP would be on a formal invitation to a wedding, etc.   

As the host of a party or event, it truly is up to you as to the choice of adding RSVP information to your invitation.  You can do this in many ways:

1.  Sending an R.S.V.P. card along with the invitation with postage already paid (usually a must for formal weddings).

2.  Supply your guests with a phone number/ email address to contact you as to their plans on attending.

3  Choose the "regret's only" route and ask that guests only contact you if they are going to be missing out on the festivities.

I have to admit, I have accidentally forgotten to RSVP to events in the past (I know, shame on me!), but what should you do as a host if guests do not respond to your RSVP demands?  You have a few questions to ask yourself:

If someone does not answer, is that a no?  

Is silence acceptance?

Should you call each guest that did not answer the RSVP and ask them for a response?

I suggest, rather than getting upset that a guest did not respond, just call them up and ask them if they received and invite and if so, if they will be able to make it.  (Don't ask for details, its possible that your guest might not want to divulge the reasoning for not attending a function.)

Now , I hope every time you put RSVP in an invite, you sing to yourself: “Call me, maybe?”

Labor Day Round Up

Labor Day is coming up in a few weeks, and that means kids are back to school and summer is almost over!

Here are a few things to do before the holiday arrives:

-  Check out the free Labor Day decoration printables made especially for you!  Use them as a welcome sign or conversation starters for your guests.

-  Read this Outdoor Entertaining Series before you plan your outdoor event:

     Part One:  Keeping the Party Going When the Sun Goes Down  
     Part Deux:  Battling Mother Nature
     Part Three:  Dealing with Pests

-  Make your own food cover with this handy DIY How To!

-  Use this great and easy recipe to show off some patriotic colors:  Pretzel Bites!

One Year Blogiversary: Thank you!

A little over one year ago, I started this blog on a whim to learn more about party planning and etiquette. 

I have learned a lot; not only planning and etiquette, but also about blogging, writing html, photography and social media.


I wanted to give a big and heartfelt THANK YOU  to all the subscribers and those (my "staff")  who have helped me in this venture!  

As always, feel free to contact me through comments, or email at Jessica@classyeventorganizer.com.


Cheers to another year of being classy!