Elevate Your Next Holiday Gathering...With Food Labels!

They say you eat with your eyes, and that is certainly true, but what can you do to show your guests that you really care about presentation? I can whip up a batch of appetizers and just throw them in any old food container, but carefully choosing the right platter and arranging them is key. So how about trying your hand at making food labels? Trust me, your guests will approve!

One thing I came across several years ago was using food labels. My mom and I made a variety of appetizers for an event and we had several unidentifiable goodies that had an undisclosed amount of cream cheese in them. I decided to use some craft paper, my printers and some metallic markers and create little labels to go next to my food (Photo Left).

Why on earth did that make such an impact on people at the party? Well, I have some theories. It does add a certain elegance to your presentation. However, you may have guests with allergies or food aversions.  That little label may give your guest some peace of mind when they're standing in the food line and wonder, "Do I want this little treat?". Believe it or not, food labeling can potentially cut back on food waste and perhaps encourage people to give your recipes a try. Your labeling should be informational and straightforward. 

Besides being informational, you can customize your food labels for the event and if you like to craft, make some fun decorations at the same time. I've had these labels for a while and pull them out every once in a while. My regular guests know my go-to snacks, so I don't use them as often as I used to. There are all sorts of choices at craft stores and on Amazon for making the perfect food label. I love these mini chalkboards that were gifted to me by my dear friend Stephani years ago. The best part about them is that they're reusable and can be customized in a snap!

So, if you're having a holiday party, a baby shower, graduation or just a gathering of friends, consider using food labels! Your guests will appreciate that you took a moment to go the extra mile and elevate the event to the next level! If you tried your hand at making some, give me a shout out in the comments or message me at my Facebook page @HomeEricaNomics! I would love to see your ideas!

Have a wonderful Holiday Season full of friends, food and fun!

-Erica