| Nowadays, it can be very expensive meeting with | | | | a Sunday dinner ambience. To move on, here are |
| family and friends over dinner at a fine dining | | | | tips to changing its rules: |
| restaurant. Well, of course, the prices may have | | | | - You have to agree with your guests about the |
| remained relatively stable but the economy is | | | | ingredients you will all be contributing to the |
| anything but stable, thus, the shift towards more | | | | potluck dinner. This way, everything from |
| affordable get-togethers without sacrificing too | | | | appetizer to dessert to drinks is assured on the |
| much on the quality of the food and the | | | | table. Of course, you may need to consult with |
| friendship. | | | | your guests as a group or act as the party |
| Back to Basics, Different Rules | | | | organizer so that everyone is in sync about the |
| Fortunately, you can always entertain at home. | | | | dinner plans at your home. Telephones, cell phones |
| On one hand, you will enjoy the many advantages | | | | and e-mails are there for a purpose so use them. |
| to it like being able to exert more control over | | | | - You must make it clear that everybody will |
| the ambience, menu and activities of the small | | | | pitch in to prepare the food although you can set |
| party, being able to spend more time without the | | | | the table beforehand and take care of the |
| pressures of closing time, and being able to do as | | | | cleanup afterwards. Each of your guests can cook |
| you wish without the scrutiny of strangers. | | | | his or her homemade specialty, which can then |
| On the other hand, you will be faced with | | | | become one of the conversation points later on. |
| challenges like spending for all the expenses and | | | | Other topics can include politics, food, travels, and |
| doing all the work from the cooking to the | | | | shopping, to name a few. Of course, you have |
| clean-up, both of which can take out the fun of | | | | the advantage of being able to talk and laugh as |
| hosting a party. And even if you decide to hold a | | | | loudly as you can simply because there are no |
| potluck party, your menu might end up with | | | | other diners at the next table who will shush you |
| mismatched appetizers, pastry shells stuffed with | | | | up. |
| mystery ingredients and semi-cold casseroles, to | | | | - You can also set the mood at the dining table |
| name a few disastrous dishes, no matter the | | | | every potluck dinner to add variety, if you and |
| good intentions of the donor. So, what is a | | | | your guests want it. For example, you can have a |
| well-intentioned host to do? Well, change the rules | | | | luau party this week and then a Caribbean party |
| of entertaining at home, of course, by bringing in | | | | next month. |
| the new concept of the Sunday dinner potluck! | | | | So, the next time you feel like gathering your |
| Tips on Changing the Rules | | | | family and friends in your home without stressing |
| Take note that the new Sunday dinner potluck | | | | too much on preparations and spending too much |
| need not happen on Sundays alone - it's just a | | | | on food, think of the new Sunday dinner potluck. |
| term to refer to the way the meals are eaten in | | | | |