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Wine and Cheese Party: Easy Entertaining for Drop-in Guests

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In this post: If you’ve ever had unexpected guests drop by, you’ll love these easy entertaining tips for pulling together an impromptu wine and cheese party.⇒

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Last weekend the phone rang.

An old friend was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop by. I was delighted to see her and said “sure, come on over!” Then I went to the refrigerator to see what snacks I could serve.

There was a half bagel, 2 lemons and some left over pad thai from 3 days ago. I was mortified!

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Well, ok, there were a few more things, but nothing that could readily be put together into a cohesive spread of hors d’oeuvres.

If it was my brother, I’d just take out the pad thai and let him dig into the container. But this was someone I hadn’t seen in a long time. I needed to get creative.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Step one was to take out a bottle of wine. I figured serving drinks would cover a multitude of sins. We have a wine fridge and always keep wine chilled and ready to serve. This was a good place to start.

Next I pulled out my prettiest goblets and this inspired me to style a lovely presentation. What it lacked in substance, I’d make up for in visuals.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

I was now on a roll and this drove me to take a closer look at what we had on hand. There were some grapes in the produce bin. And a package of crackers. And finally an epiphany… I had some cheese!

Not really the selection I’d gather if I was planning this in advance, but enough to munch on with a glass of wine. A mini wine and cheese party. Now we were in business.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

I pulled out my prettiest cheese tray and some vintage accessories. An antique marmalade jar, some mother-of-pearl spreaders, a tiny silver tray and a cheese knife or two. (See resource list below.)

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Fortunately, I always have fresh flowers in the house. I buy them with my groceries and they make me smile. I took apart my arrangement and cradled the stems in a white embroidered napkin, then draped them over the side of the cheese tray to cover for the fact that I had way more tray than cheese.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Once I plattered the cheeses, I would fill in with grapes and crackers. This whole thing took me all of ten minutes. I was left wondering why do I ever get stressed with complicated hors d’oeuvres? My lovely little wine and cheese party was perfect for this impromptu occasion.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

If you’re like me, you probably over-plan when entertaining. But I learned from this experience that a little bit of cheese and wine (or really whatever you have on hand) can go a long way when presented beautifully to your guests.

It’s kind of like wrapping a simple present in an amazing package… 😉

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

The beautiful cheese platter was provided by my friend Susan from Farmhouse Refined. She has a wonderful shop with gorgeous decor and accessories that you can visit HERE. Take a peek because I promise you won’t be disappointed.

Wine and cheese party: easy entertaining for drop-in guests | Designthusiasm.com

Wine and Cheese Party Source List – Click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. (This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

  • Cheese platter
  • Wine goblets
  • Vintage marmalade jar
  • Mother-of-pearl spreaders
  • Small silver tray
  • Vintage cheese knife
  • White farmhouse table
  • Cane back side chairs
  • Tufted side chairs
  • Vintage china
  • Gold footed bowl

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like these (click on the photos):

Decorating with Spring Flowers | Casual Patio Entertaining | Butler’s Pantry Styling

A Year of Home Decor-Designthusiasm.com     Casual Wine and Cheese on the Patio     10 Gorgeous Elements to Add French Style to the Butler's Pantry - Designthusiasm.com

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19 Comments Filed Under: Evergreen Decor, Homestyle   Tagged With: wine and cheese party

« Romantic Decoration: Valentine’s Day Entertaining Ideas
Home Style Saturdays 21: Knee Deep in Snow, Thinking of Spring »

Comments

  1. HAND MADe CREATIONS says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7:36 am

    Hello Lory!
    Very nice cutlery. It looks like you prefer white wine and french goodies 🙂
    I am always serving fresh goat cheese with fig jam or marmelade. I’ve learned it here in France since I am here. Hugs. Monika

    Reply
    • Lory at Designthusiasm says

      Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:52 pm

      Ah, how lucky that you’re in France!! Yes, I definitely do prefer French goodies, especially white French burgundies. I didn’t think of using the marmalade with goat cheese, but I do sometimes do it with baked brie. Funny – I always wonder/worry if people that are actually from France would consider my style French since I always say it is, but I’m sure its the American version… ;-)!

      Reply
  2. Nancy @ Slightly Coastal says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 9:31 am

    Beautiful presentation Lory! Like Handmade Creations said, I too always keep red pepper jelly on hand and serve it with cream cheese in a pinch. I also always keep a frozen set of appetizers in the fridge (the store bought kind) like Spanakopita. If I need them, they are there. When they’ve been in the fridge for a while I make them on a Friday night for the family to have a little end of the week party and replace them at the grocery store the next day.

    Nancy

    Reply
    • Lory at Designthusiasm says

      Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:45 pm

      Thanks, Nancy! I never heard of red pepper jelly but I better go check it out. I love roasted peppers so if its anything like that, I’m in. Also like the idea of frozen hors d’oeuvres to keep for just this kind of thing… 🙂

      Reply
  3. Ginger says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Lory, you are so right! Wine and cheese are perfect for “drop ins”, but your presentation with the napkin wrapped flowers make it sooo special! And voila! You’re the perfect hostess! I really like this post 😉
    Ginger

    Reply
  4. bonnie morgan says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:12 am

    Beautiful presentation, Lori. I’m sure your friend felt special.

    I do love your gorgeous glasses and mother of pearl spreaders!

    Reply
  5. Cindy says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 10:33 am

    You make everything beautiful and seem so simple. I over analyze having people over, even family. Trying to put an end to that and realizing rustic and simple doesn’t mean no beauty.

    Cindy

    Reply
    • Lory at Designthusiasm says

      Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:47 pm

      Thanks, Cindy! Well, when it comes to more involved holidays, believe me, I’m not so relaxed… 😉 But I really like this more simply kind of entertaining. I also like to have people over for drinks before dinner and then go out to dinner. It’s the best of both worlds!

      Reply
  6. Joanna says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 4:01 pm

    I keep jars of olives, cans of oysters and almonds on hand. I put them in small dishes on the cheese tray or in a pretty divided dish. I keep a jar of pepper jelly on hand, too. We don’t have a wine fridge but I find white is the perfect temp when kept in the garage at this time of the year. It’s my well stocked wine cellar. Wink! Wink!
    I love the idea of flowers laying over the tray. So pretty and a creative way to hide when there is not a lot of food.

    Reply
    • Lory at Designthusiasm says

      Monday, February 13, 2017 at 11:42 pm

      Thanks, Joanna! And I love the idea of cans of oysters!!

      Reply
  7. Dianne Lanier says

    Thursday, February 9, 2017 at 7:36 pm

    You always make everything look so beautiful…great presentation!!!

    Reply
  8. Lai says

    Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 8:25 am

    Hi Lory

    Your presentation is always so beautiful and I love reading your blog! Thank you for all your wonderful ideas and for sharing with your readers.

    Reply
  9. Mary says

    Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:10 am

    Ah, so pretty, as always. You are such an inspiration!!

    Reply
  10. Sandra says

    Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    I would love to see what you’d do with some advance planning, this is beautiful!

    Reply
  11. patti @ pandoras box says

    Friday, February 17, 2017 at 10:12 pm

    Great idea to fill the tray with fresh flowers – love that idea!

    Reply
    • Lory at Designthusiasm says

      Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks, Patti! I think flowers make everything look better… 😉

      Reply
  12. Norma Rolader says

    Thursday, February 8, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    Oh my you are my inspiration and what a beautiful table presentation

    Reply
  13. Andrea Tabler says

    Tuesday, February 20, 2018 at 3:09 am

    Beautiful and creative ideas! Would love for you to come link up at Sunday Features! http://bit.ly/2BA6K20

    Reply
  14. Iris Burch says

    Friday, October 12, 2018 at 5:16 am

    I like this blog!!! You have the finest and most creative decor ideas ever.

    Reply

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