While most people love to reconnect with loved ones, the stress of entertaining and preparing those special treats that create memorable connections can be overwhelming. Yet the rewards of gathering around special foods of the season are more important than ever.

One way to kick back and have more time to enjoy family and friends is to leave the food preparation to Freson Market IGA. We have a wide selection of Deli Party Trays and a delicious assortment of Bakery Goods. Choose from Fresh Cuts of Meat and Delicious Produce items and to top if off decorate your home with Fresh Floral Arrangements.

When we asked our Customers about holiday entertaining they have said, "I love to entertain, but cooking especially for a party, requires time and energy, I'd rather just enjoy my friends, and have Freson Market IGA do the work for me. All I have left to do is decorate the house, pick-up the flowers and relax.”

Entertaining is all about connecting with family and friends, our customers tell us that parties and family gatherings are about creating a reason to be with the people you love. Although people love to plan and prepare everything themselves, sharing the burden of food preparation reduces the stress and increases their enjoyment of the event. That's why we offer such a wide range of holiday entertaining party trays, hearty snacks, fancy desserts and other festive foods to help them connect with loved ones.

Here are some additional tips for entertaining success, designed to make light work of planning and preparation, so you can show up at your own party free from stress.

* Set the theme. It might be centered on a holiday, a football game, a time in history, a geographic location, a type of music or utter nonsense. A quick search on the internet can turn up hundreds of ideas that will enrich the experience for you and your guests.

* Decide if your party will be casual or elegant, dinner or buffet, or even easier just desserts and appetizers.

* Determine date, time and place of the event and make up the guest list.

* Invite guests by phone or e-mail to save time -- and always request a reply, so you know how much food to order.

* Compile a list of foods that would be festive and fun to serve -- and fit your theme. Check out the Freson Weekly Flyers for items that are on sale, come into the store and find many different holiday ideas such as savory snacks, specialty meats and fancy sweets that people don't get just every day. From these items, develop a menu, choosing flavors and textures that complement each other. Don’t forget to pick-up your pop, crackers, pickles, shrimp rings, smoked oysters, frozen Appetizers (heat & serve), sauces, dips, cheese balls, cream cheeses, nut trays, speciality breads, olives, boxes of chocolates etc…everything and anything you can imagine.

* Save time and effort by ordering Party Trays by phone. Be sure to specify the date you want them ready by. Specialty non-food items make wonderful gifts when you're a guest. We have a very large selection to choose from.

* Pull out your prettiest serving pieces, dishes, glasses, flatware and table linens -- or pick up paper and plastic tableware at Freson Market IGA.

Day of the Party