Make-Ahead Magic Party Timeline

By Rebecca Bull Reed
Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley

It's easy to put together an open house party when you use our simple timeline.

Start Slideshow

1 of 8

1 Week Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Make and freeze cupcakes.

Recipe Links:
• Basic White Cupcake
• Moist Chocolate Cupcakes
• Vanilla Buttercream

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 8

2 Days Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley

Prepare Frozen Sangría, Mock Tea Sangría, and Caribbean Cashews.

 

Prepare all dips, place in serving dishes, and chill. (All the dips will easily double if you only want to make a few but still serve a crowd.)

Recipe Links:
• Frozen Sangria
• Mock Tea Sangria
• Caribbean Cashews
• Bacon-Cheese Dip
• Sun-dried Tomato Aïoli
• Fresh Herb Sauce
• Fresh Lemon Basil Dip With Blanched Green Beans

3 of 8

1 Day Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Prepare soup, and chill.

Mix and form crab cakes. Cover and chill.

Prep and chill vegetables for dip station.

Label and arrange serving pieces.

Recipe Links:
• Butternut Squash-Parsnip Soup
• Maryland Crabcakes

Advertisement

4 of 8

4 Hours Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Ice down beer and wine.

Thaw cupcakes, and prepare frosting.

Set out cupcake decorations.

5 of 8

2 Hours Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Place soup in slow cooker set on LOW to reheat.

6 of 8

1 Hour Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Thaw Frozen Sangría.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 8

30 Minutes Ahead

Beth Dreiling Hontzas / Styling Scott Martin / Food Styling Rebecca Kracke Gordon, Pam Lolley
Set out dips and vegetables.

Enjoy!
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Advertisement