Savvy Entertaining

Is it hot where you are at? As in warm and toasty? As in makes you tired and lazy and hungry for ice cream?

Well, that is what we’ve got going on in our neighborhood.

So because of that fact, I encourage you to do something totally and completely old-fashioned, possibly cheesy, but most certainly fun and delicious – host an ice cream social!  You’ll be so glad you did.

Invite a few friends and family over for a wonderful afternoon or evening of ice cream extravaganza.

You can make your own ice cream if you wish. My friend Mandi shared a great vanilla ice cream base recipe with us Friday.  My Aunt Karen’s famous chocolate ice cream recipe is also a great go-to.

Or, if you are lazy like me, buy some good ice cream and indulge. Two of my favorites are Tillamook  and Schwans.

You can use just plain vanilla ice cream and offer an array of delicious toppings like nuts, chocolate chips or chunks, marshmallows, sprinkles, berries, banana slices, pineapple, maraschino cherries, coconut, and crushed  candy bars like Heath. And don’t forget the syrups – chocolate, caramel and fruit.

You could also limit the toppings and have a variety of ice cream flavors available.  Something fruity, something nutty, something chocolate. If you are making your ice cream, you can get creative with the flavors through add-ins and extracts. Think along the lines of mint, root beer, almond or rum extract.  I recommend having plain vanilla ice cream as an option no matter what route you take.

If you have a place in the shade to set up a table, take this outdoors. It could get a bit messy and outside, who cares?

Make sure you have plenty of napkins, you might even want some wet-wipes available. Your basic serving supplies will include bowls and spoons, some get-the-job-done ice cream scoops and serving pieces and spoons for your add-ins and toppings.

Serve a fruity punch or iced tea and have plenty of water available as well.

Cover your serving table with a disposable paper or plastic table covering and use as a stand alone or under a tablecloth. Either way, it keeps your table surface from getting all sticky from ice-cream drips and spills.

Sit back and watch the smiles erupt on the faces of those gathered at your home from ice-cream bliss!

Enjoy a cone for me!

Shanna – (a.k.a. the ice-cream devotee)