5 Serving Tips for a Holiday Buffet

A beautiful holiday spread deserves an equally impressive backdrop. Top a table, sideboard, kitchen island or a cabinet with a table runner in a seasonal motif. For a formal affair, opt for a full tablecloth in white or cream. Bonus points if the table covering has a silver or gold sparkle.

Keep serving pieces simple so they don’t compete with the food. Choose pure white or a cheerful holiday color. Give every dish a place to shine by placing them at various heights.

Begin your buffet with a stack of fine china. Leave the silverware and napkins until the end. Arrange food so guests can choose and navigate through the buffet easily. Start with the main dish or protein, move on to sides and finish with salad and rolls. Or create a nibbler’s delight with an appetizer-themed spread. Fill your buffet with fruit, grapes, crackers, nuts and sliced or melted cheeses.

Use chafing dishes to keep foods hot. Put out crystal or glass bowls for condiments, sauces and dips. Finish the look of your spread with an abundance of real or faux evergreen garland. Add a few tall, pillar candles and a sprinkling of crystal, gold and silver ornaments.

Keep the party going with separate places for drinks and desserts. A bar cart is a traditional drink station, but also a great dessert stand. Along with delightful pastries and sweets, consider adding a dessert wine to the mix.