If you're short, call your local party-rental place and reserve what you need now. The holiday season is one of the biggest times of the year for party rentals and you don't want to be scrambling to find essentials at the last moment. Many people would rather borrow from friends and family than rent. I have a friend who swears that if there's any other food available, no one will touch the large platters of raw vegetables and dip he bothers to prepare. In planning your menu, take time to make sure you have as many colors and textures as possible.
Garnishes are another great way to add color.
As professional chefs know, most garnishes only look difficult to create, yet they have the power to make even a simple dish look special. And if radish roses and cucumber fans seem too fancy, you can get that restaurant look with a few well-placed sprigs of fresh herbs. It's quite pointless to plan a party that your kitchen can't handle. If not, now's the time to make adjustments and substitutions. If you run out of storage space, be creative.