setting up dessert buffet

DS's Winter One-derland party is this weekend and I have about 20 different things going on the dessert table. Should I set the table up before the party and leave it until dessert time? Or should I set it up after the brunch part? I kind of want to have it set up the whole time, but I don't want people picking at it throughout the party. On the flip side, I want the table to look really nice, I don't want to have to rush to get everything out while the party is going on. What did you do?

Re: setting up dessert buffet

This is a hard one. I wanted the same thing as you - set up so that it would be done and look perfect.

Unfortunately there was no where for me to hide the huge table outside and I didn't want the kids picking at it the entire time.

About five friends helped me set it up really fast while the waitres was getting dessert ready. It def. wasn't exactly the way I wanted it but everyone attacked it so it didn't really matter if it didn't look just perfect.

Re: setting up dessert buffet

I think I'm going to call the hall today and see if they have one of those screen walls. Maybe then I can set it up before the party, but then just move the screen when it's dessert time. That "might" wok.

Re: setting up dessert buffet

If you set it up early people will pick at it. My waitress kept telling them to leave it alone but it didn't help (and we only set it up a little early....while the kids were being entertained)
It didn't look 100% the way i wanted, but like Diana said, it got attacked so fast it didn't matter!!!

Re: setting up dessert buffet

I would set it up exactly how you want it and then tightly cover everything in sarran wrap. My SIL just did this and no body picked at it.

Re: setting up dessert buffet

Re: setting up dessert buffet

Yea I was going to suggest cello wrapping them and then when ready, open up..

Plus you can see it and it will still look pretty

Re: setting up dessert buffet

Didn't realize it was at a hall. In that case there should be no problem setting it up before. We did this with for my nieces Communion and they just wheeled in the tables. They had it in another room so it wasn't seen.

Re: setting up dessert buffet

someone mentioned on here once that they put tulle over the tablecloth and basically wrap the table with a bow. makes the whole table look like a present. this way you can have it out the whole time and enjoy the party but not have to worry about people picking at it

Re: setting up dessert buffet

For my SIL"s baby shower we set it up prior and no one touched the candy.

Re: setting up dessert buffet

I set mine up prior and it was out in the open for the whole party. The only one who snuck treats off it was Elizabeth! Go figure!

Here's a pic of the cupcake thief in action