Set Up

A folding table can be moved and stored easily and is easy to dress up with a nice tablecloth. Position items strategically, so people don't have to return for forgotten items. For example, place extra napkins, cutlery, and salt and pepper shakers on both ends of the table and set up a couple of bread baskets. Keeping decorations to a minimum saves space for essential items, so consider wall hangings and cute napkins that add color and flair.

If you have a Keurig machine, set up a coffee station away from the main buffet area. You can include canned and bottled beverages to minimize cleanup or ask everyone to reuse their glasses. Ideally, you could set this up in the kitchen since there are bound to be some spills.

What to Serve

• Fruits and raw vegetables are easy to prepare and eat, making them perfect buffet food. Place unsliced peaches or apples in a bowl for a colorful, no-fuss dish. You can buy veggie trays that come in a ready-to-serve container for another instant offering.
• Bread is a buffet staple. Precut flavorful loaves from the bakery or serve hot croissants with butter, jam, and other yummy spreads. For board game parties or movie nights, lay out the fixings for sandwiches that guests can construct quickly before getting back to the fun. If it's a sports gathering, hang up team pennants and paraphernalia to set the mood.
• Salads hold up well on buffets, and you can include different versions such as Caesar's and tossed greens. 
• Baked ziti, lasagna, and other baked pasta plates are big hits and hold up well if there are leftovers.
• Serving chilled or smoked meats take off some of the pressure of trying to keep food hot.
• Cooked carrots, green beans, baskets of baked potatoes, and grilled asparagus are easy to keep warm in a chafing dish or with a can of Sterno to supply the heat.
• Consider a dessert bar where your family and friends can frost and decorate their own cupcakes. Add some pies and a cake for finicky guests who aren't interested in designing their own sweets.

Buffets are convenient for guests and help you maximize space in our apartments in Flagstaff. If you'd like to learn about our open floor plans, give us a call today!

The post Setting Up a Buffet for Easy Apartment Entertaining appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.

The Grammys are coming! The Grammys are coming! It’s the biggest night of the year for music, and you can be part of it from the comfort of your own home. Of all the annual award shows the Grammys are probably our favorite: it’s like an amazing concert from all the hottest artists in the industry! Not only that … the Grammys are also an excuse to throw an elaborate show. And we’re not just talking about on TV. What better reason to gather friends and family for awesome food and music than a Grammy party?

Here are some award-worthy tips for making your Grammy Award party “sing”:

Rock the Casbah

The Grammys are a big night for music … So how can you even imagine celebrating without a rockin’ playlist?! Power up your cellphone, laptop, or tablet and make a playlist of all the nominated tracks. Not sure who’s up for an award? You can find the full list of nominees here. Pick your favorite artists or categories and download the nominated tracks. (And we’re talking legally here, folks … remember, piracy is NOT cool, no matter what Jack Sparrow may say.) Pre-party with your favorite songs, and you’ll dance even harder when they take home the gold!

Dress to Impress

Come on, guys … This is the Grammys we’re talking about! Don’t leave the dressing up to the nominees. Break out your fancy dress and celebrate in style! Make your Grammy Awards party a dress-coded affair with everyone arriving in outfits worthy of the red carpet. Or, have your guests come in character. Invite your guests to dress as their favorite Grammy-nominated star. Bonus: Have special party favors for guests dressed like the actual winners! When their performer wins, have the guest dressed liked the winner give their own little award speech during the commercial break, and make sure everybody gives them a solid round of applause.

Deck the Halls

Turn your living room into the red carpet, or a pre-show dance club. It’s all about the glitz and glamor, so go all out. Head to the Dollar Store, Party City, or Michael’s for all the decorations you’ll need. Black and gold are the traditional colors of the Grammys, but don’t feel the need to limit yourself to those colors. Take cues from the nominees’ albums and music videos. Have goody bags for all your guests, and special snacks and appetizers fit for the occasion!

Pass the Mic

Encourage the celebration of music with plenty of song and dance. We’re talking about making sure there’s plenty of room to dance around … and a karaoke machine. Find the karaoke version of nominated songs on YouTube and share in a little friendly competition with your friends by performing your best live versions of the songs!

Fun and Games

No party is complete without plenty of fun and games. Beside karaoke, have print outs of the nominees and challenge your friends to pick the winners before the awards start. Have a prize for the winner. Remember the costumes you’re all wearing? Have a prize for best dressed, or the person who best emulates their musical icon. Create a custom party hashtag and have your friends share their photos from the party to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter all night to share all the fun you’re having! (Hint: Follow and tag us on Instagram as you post! We’d love to see your photos, too!)

Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a blast before, during, and long after the awards! Tune in to the Grammy Awards on Monday, February 15^th, at 8ET/5PT on CBS!

The post Go for the Gold: Throw an Awesome Grammy Party! appeared first on Woodlands Village Apartments Blog.