Entertaining Around the Coffee Table

This is a great time of year for entertaining. I enjoy stress-free entertaining. Good friends, good food, and a relaxing atmosphere. I know I dislike parties where I go and sit down and am expected to stay put until the party is over (unless going to the bathroom).

Usually my parties start with everyone gathered in the kitchen. I'm busy preparing dinner and when someone asks to lend a hand I accept. Also the bar cart is near by so this area is a natural gathering spot for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The kitchen is full of casual conversations while we munch appetizers and sip our cocktails. Dinner is served in the dining room, but I usually don't serve dessert there. I have my guests move into the family room for dessert. Sitting around the coffee table with the fireplace blazing is the perfect setting for the end of the evening. I find this cozy ambiance stimulates conversations.

To keep it simple for my guests I like to serve desserts easily eaten with your fingers. Guests can help themselves and have a few choices for dessert. I have the dessert trays filled and ready to go before dinner. After dinner it's just a matter of placing the trays on the coffee table. 

All these fabulous serving pieces came from HomeGoods. I tried to keep my colors simple, so I choose white and gold. For interest I used cake plates to create different levels. I love the gold leaf plates and gold patterned mugs. They're perfect for fall entertaining. 

Of course, there is perhaps one drawback to having dessert on the coffee table! In this instance her name is Carmen and she is licking her lips waiting for me to turn around...hehe.

It's so comfortable gathered around the coffee table in front of the fire. It's a wonderful way to end a special evening with friends. I hope you enjoy entertaining your family and friends this fall season!