Presentation

A great presentation can make or break a meal. If you go too overboard, you can get the Martha jabs, so keeping things subtle is nice. The rule of 3 is usually a safe bet, unless your event goes beyond a dinner party, for example a wedding or a promotional event.

I recently had a birthday dinner at a restaurant. The three items I decided to personalize to bring the theme together were 1 - some blue, gold and white balloons 2 - chocolate chocolate cupcakes with gold foil wrappers and blue jimmie sprinkles, and 3 - menu cards in blue, white and chocolate brown.

The menu cards were important, as it was a prix fix dinner with limited choices, and a great way to make a statement and own the party. By adding the menu cards and balloons, you take the event from just casually meeting at a restaurant, to defining your space, theme and event.

The menu cards were easy to make - my sister and I found a great brown and blue paisley online - try searching google images for whatever you are looking for, i.e. red plaid, gold leaves, etc. - using Vista Print and their templates, and photoshop to create the layout, we uploaded the two sides to the large format post cards. For about $25, including shipping, these will be printed two sided and in color, and look very professional.