Tips for Fall Entertaining

With the holidays approaching, you’ll want to be fully prepared for your guests. That includes everything from your home décor to family activities and menus. We’ve created a list of suggestions to spark your imagination as you plan for entertaining.

An autumn-themed gathering is perfect for making caramel apples, painting pumpkins, or carving jack-o-lanterns. The weather this time of year can still be mild enough for outdoor fun. Halloween doesn’t have to be all about candy and costumes. Make a pre-trick or treating celebration more fun for family and friends with a corn hole tournament or more sophisticated with a hard cider tasting. We sell many types of hard cider to satisfy all tastes. A fire pit or some warm blankets on the deck add a nice touch while extending a New England afternoon.

If you want to give guests a little something extra to take home, party favors such as dry hot cocoa & mini marshmallows in a mason jar, a small painted pumpkin, or a dressed-up bag of caramel popcorn are simple and memorable.

Hosting Thanksgiving provides an opportunity for creativity with indoor decorations. Pumpkins, apples and leaves are basic common themes, but there are many possibilities for how you decide to display them.

Make tea light holders out of fresh apples in a variety of colors. Use gourds of different shapes and sizes on the mantle, or to create a centerpiece, place card settings, serving bowls, or even luminaries. Take advantage of the foliage and flowers of the season by adding varying hues of mums and leaves.

Your fall theme can also inspire the featured cocktail of the day, perhaps something apple, cinnamon, or pumpkin flavored.

What will you serve on your autumn party or holiday menu? We’ve discovered some tasty appetizers that bring out the best flavors of the season. Try bacon-wrapped Brussels sprouts, cranberry chicken salad on apple slices, or pear, brie, and caramelized onion quesadillas.

For dinner, this one pan autumn chicken dinner is easy to prepare and will serve your entire party. A good chili or pot roast are great for feeding a crowd. Our experts can help you choose the best cut of beef and ideal size for your anticipated number of guests. For a smaller gathering, impress with fall-inspired stuffed pork chops.

Don’t forget about a warm fall dessert such as roasted pears. These are simple and delicious – baked in the oven, then topped with brown sugar and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Even better, take the burden off your time and kitchen by coming to our bakery to pick up a fresh pie or two.

Already anticipating Thanksgiving Day? Stay tuned for our Thanksgiving checklist, publishing next month, that will help you simplify holiday shopping and cooking.

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