Host A Spring Luncheon

Published 8:33 am Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Draw the curtains back and open the windows. Spring 2015 is here! Nothing is quite like springtime in Louisiana. With the exception of the presence of those pesky mosquitoes, spring in Acadiana is downright perfect. What better way to celebrate the end of a cold and dreary winter than to host your first spring luncheon of the year?

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Not Just For Ladies Any More 

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Luncheons aren’t just for ladies anymore. Although a mainstay in southern culture, the “Ladies Luncheon” is slowly making a turn into the “Couples Luncheon.” Similar to a dinner party, the couples’ luncheon is a great time to connect different sets of friends who normally would not meet. As formal or casual as you want to make them, luncheons are also a great networking tool or even just a great way to show your friends that you value them.

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Keep The Party Small

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Though it may seem like a nice idea to invite the entire neighborhood, try to keep your luncheon small and intimate. Not only is it budget friendly, but it ensures comfortable and easy conversation. A phone call is a great way to extend an invitation to your guests. It’s more personal than that group text you may usually send. If you’re interested in a formal approach, there are many examples of creative invitations online. DIY invitations are a great way of sharing your theme with your guests.

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Focus On A Theme

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Make your luncheon more festive by focusing on a theme. Take advantage of your calendar and have fun with lesser-celebrated holidays. Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd with a luncheon featuring organic foods on biodegradable paper products. Crank up some Miles Davis on April 30th as you snack on hors d’oeuvres on International Jazz Day. Or even better, let a good cause be your theme and encourage your guests to bring canned goods to donate to a local food pantry. Make your luncheon as unique as you and your friends and THAT will make it memorable.

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Regardless of your chosen theme, it’s important to keep a few things in mind if you want your spring luncheon to stand out. The Pantone Color Institute predicts that the spring 2015 season will feature cooler, softer color choices with subtle, warm tones. Follow a minimalistic “en plein air” (in the open air) theme, taking cues from nature. Shades of light blue, rose, orange and grey will be the colors to highlight in decor and your general color palette. 

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Make Floral Selections

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Fresh flowers and the buzzing of bees alerts all of us that the anticipated spring season is here! Hebert’s Garden Center and the Landscape Ranch in New Iberia, or Stokes Tropicals in Jeanerette offers a variety of potted plants to showcase your home or garden for the occasion. Place these blooms at the door to welcome guests with bright pops of color. Local florists at A Gallery of Flowers and Gifts and Breaux’s Flowers and Gifts in New Iberia can make beautiful arrangements of fresh flowers to enhance the party ambiance. 

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Keep The Menu Light And Easy

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A luncheon should be an easy, carefree get-together. There is no need to prepare a six-course meal. If bruschetta is the extent of your culinary abilities then make it the star of the day. Keep things simple and light with fun fare that can even be prepared the night before. A light soup and salad with a glass of fresh lemonade or iced tea are sure to be a hit.

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You can even pick up dessert; your only problem will be deciding which cake to choose from the delectable selections at Guidry’s Cake Shop in New Iberia or order some beautifully decorated petit fours or specialty pastries from a delightful sweet shop like KK’s Café and Cakery in New Iberia.

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Take the easy road and enjoy your time with your special people. Plus, with the right atmosphere, your friends are sure to have a great time regardless of what you serve. 

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Simple And Quick Menu And Drink Suggestions

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Having a hard time deciding on a menu? Choose from some of these simple luncheon menu ideas:

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Asparagus and Red Quinoa Salad- Toss cooked red quinoa with olive oil, lemon juice, sliced raw asparagus and radishes, cilantro leaves, and toasted walnuts. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

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Chilled Carrot and Cauliflower Soup- Carrots, cauliflower, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, cumin, stock, water, 1/2 cup of yogurt and a blender are all you need for this rich, creamy soup. Refrigerate the soup up to 24 hours before your get together. 

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White Sangria- If your guests are looking for a cool and refreshing beverage that can be mixed the day before your luncheon, white sangria is a fresh and easy option. This version, made with white wine instead of red, can be chilled in your refrigerator for a day or two in advance. There is no guarantee that this delicious drink made of peach schnapps, cognac, sugar, sliced oranges and sliced mangos will last that long, though it is another option for those who would enjoy something a little more festive. 

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From the smell of dew in the morning to the sound of crickets at night, springtime is a great time to entertain. And with these helpful tips, you may just find yourself hosting more than one luncheon this spring. 

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Happy entertaining!