I do, I won't: Helpful tips for dining at home

Blackstone's co-owners Jennifer Hill and Mark Duffield.

by Sandra Miller



In the winter months, more people nest in. With this economy, they also may want to nest more of their dollars by entertaining at home.
“As we have learned, our customers like to entertain,” said Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill co-owner Jennifer Hill. Now, more than ever, and especially during the winter months, Hill has responded to what she’s hearing and is buying more products geared toward socializing more with their family or friends through cozy parties and intimate gatherings.
Here’s a few do’s and don’ts for ramping up as a host and party attendee:
Don’t: turn every weekend into a video and takeout weekend.
Do: talk to some friends and encourage more social gatherings.
Don’t: spend so much money on entertaining at home by buying enough expensive food that rivals eating out.
Do: flip through the cookbook.
Don’t: turn on the oven until you’ve taken the shoes and Christmas decorations out of your kitchen “storage closet,” i.e., the oven.
Do: encourage regular potluck parties. Don’t want to wash dishes? That’s what paper products are for – Blackstone’s carries a nice line of paper dishes and napkins.
Do: also consider a cocktail party alternative. You focus on making interesting cocktails, your friends bring fun hors d’oeuvres. Blackstone’s happens to have “The Essential Cocktail” book for ideas.
Don’t: forget those who’d like a non-alcoholic alternative, like good coffee and fine tea, flavored seltzer water and juices. Blackstone’s carries local brands, including Concord’s Tea Forté.
Don’t: be the guest who brings the chips and salsa.
Do: check out the interesting pre-made snacks at DeLucas, Savenors, and Whole Foods.
Don’t: bring cheddar cheese.
Do: bring a cheese you can’t pronounce. Don’t forget the crackers.
Don’t: forget about great condiments, like gourmet sauces, dips, and mustards. Blackstone’s recently added New England Cranberry’s Cranberry Chutney, Cranberry Pepper Jelly and Colonial Cranberry Sauce, and a customer favorite is Robert Rothschild Gourmet Foods Raspberry Honey Mustard Pretzel Dip. “It goes great with everything, including pretzels,” said Blackstone’s Mark Duffield.
Do: consider a dessert party instead. Try a Potluck Dessert Night. Jennifer Hill loves The Brass Sisters’ cookbook, “Heirloom Baking,” which made Food & Wine’s Annual 2007 Cookbook’s Best of the Best top 25 cookbook list. And hey, The Brass Sisters will be appearing at Blackstone’s next month, to sign copies of their book.
Don’t: flip on the TV.
Do: Turn on the radio or stereo, and get out the deck of cards, Monopoly, and other board games. Remember Pictionary? How about Scrabble? Blackstone’s just got in a very portable game for guests to bring to parties, Bananagrams, an anagram game that fits nicely in a purse. It’s great for entertaining kids, too.
Don’t: be a bad guest. Never arrive empty-handed.
Do: bring an interesting bottle of wine – Beacon Hill Wine and Spirits can recommend a nice bottle. For fun, bring it in a nice wine tote.
Do: also consider bringing chocolates. Blackstones carries a nice variety of local treats; Beacon Hill Chocolates has some nice ideas, too.
Do: consider a host/hostess gift, even when it’s not their birthday. Try bringing an interesting book, or make their job easier with paper napkins, candles and fun matches, said Hill. “Functional entertaining pieces such as trays, glassware, coasters or hand towels, to wine accessories, are perfect to give to those who already like to entertain. Who says you ever have enough entertaining pieces?”