6 Creative Party Food Station Ideas

Between cooking, cleaning, shopping, and socializing, you have enough to worry about when pulling off your next party. Take a little off your plate by having your guests do some of the work. Create food stations at your next event to save time, money, and effort. Your guests will love crafting their own meals, and you'll love the work it saves you.

Try one of these creative party food station ideas at your next event:

6 Creative Party Food Station Ideas

1. Create Your Own Crudite: Cut up a selection of vegetables and set them out with a few different dips (such as hummus or ranch dip). Lay them out alongside nuts, olives, and cheese for an easy (and tasty) appetizer station.

2. Bagel Bar: Who doesn't love a bagel with all the fixings? Make your next brunch event easy by setting out fresh bagels, a variety of cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, fresh herbs (such as dill or chives), and a few varieties of thinly sliced vegetables (you can't go wrong with cucumber, tomato, and onion). Your guests can build their ideal bagel, and you won't have to hide away in the kitchen.

3. Sangria Central: Planning a breezy summer party? Liven it up by letting your guests customize their own sangria. Mix up four or five sangria varieties (look on Pinterest for plenty of inspiration) and display in attractive pitchers. Chop up complementing fruit and set it out in bowls. Line up your best unbreakable glasses and let your guests create the drink of their dreams.

4. Taco Town: Set up a taco bar to feed large groups of people without a large amount of effort. Lay out taco shells (hard, soft, or both - your call), protein choices (such as ground beef, shredded chicken, or steak), and plenty of toppings. Don't forget the guacamole!

5. Parfait Party: Set up a yogurt parfait bar for an elegant addition to a baby shower or brunch. Give your guests chilled yogurt, a variety of cut up fruit, several granola choices, and a few fun extras (such as slivered almonds or shredded coconut). Encourage your guests to layer their favorite toppings in clear, shatterproof glasses for an attractive and accident-proof treat.

6. Given 'em S'mores: What better way to wrap up an outdoor party than with s'mores? Get a fire going, and set up a table with marshmallows, graham crackers, and plenty of toppings (we like chocolate, bananas, peanut butter, and strawberries). Things may get messy, but it'll be worth it for the happy guests.