An ice-cream social is a great way to entertain family, friends, or co-workers. It can put the cherry on top of your office party, a child’s birthday gathering, or a casual get together. Here are some tips to ensure your ice cream social rocks.
What Is an Ice Cream Social?
The main purpose of an ice cream social is to get people together for a fun, casual party. It’s the perfect opportunity to gather both adults and children for an ice cream treat.
Ice Cream Social Benefits
The biggest benefit of an ice cream social is that everyone serves themselves. All you have to do is put out the supplies. You can also prepare days in advance. Set up a large buffet table for the ice cream essentials. Decorate to reflect the occasion before the big day arrives.
Ice Cream Social Tips
Here are some tips to help you prepare for your ice cream social.
Select Ice Cream Flavors. You can whip up your own homemade ice cream or buy a quality brand from a store. Be sure to have the traditional chocolate and vanilla on hand along with a few unique flavors for guests to try.
Select Toppings. Have a variety of toppings and sauces on hand to choose from. Sprinkles, chocolate chips, candies, fresh fruit, hot fudge, and caramel sauce are popular with guests.
Display the Menu. Add life to your party with a chalkboard sign or a poster listing your menu offerings. Include fun drink options too.
Dairy-Free Alternatives. A big mistake hosts can make is not offering a few ice cream alternatives in case of allergies. Make sure you offer your guests some dairy-free options. Ice cream made with almond, cashew, or goat milk can be found at the store. Sorbet is another good choice to put on the table.
Pre-Scoop Ice Cream. Put individual scoops of ice cream on a lined baking sheet. Store in the freezer until party time. You don’t want ice cream to sit out too long and melt. Using a spatula, transfer a scoop to each guest’s bowl at serving time.
Ice Cream Social Success
Here are a few suggestions to help make your party a social success.
Games. Come up with a few fun games to entertain your guests. Send guests on a scavenger hunt. Host a blind taste test. Give guests a sample of an ice cream flavor or topping and let them guess what it is. Have a race featuring spoons and a cherry on top.
Quantities. You want to have the right amount of ice cream. For a party of 12, nine pints of ice cream will do. If 20 guests are coming, you’ll need about two gallons. Buy extra ice cream and toppings in case you run short. Each guest typically has ¼ cup of sauce and between one-quarter and one-third cup of toppings.
Pick a Theme. The best way to bring this out at your party is with the decorations. Ideas include a beach party, 50’s-style ice cream parlor, or a winter polar bear theme. Choose ice cream flavors and utensils that match the color of your school, business, or organization.
A Parting Gift. Send guests home with the recipe to your favorite homemade ice cream. Put it in a pretty, pint-sized container with a wooden spoon. This will make your party especially memorable.
Leave the Planning to Us
If you want help with your party planning needs, Norwood Ice Cream is here to serve you. We are a small ice cream shop located in Eldersburg, Maryland. Each unique ice cream flavor is handcrafted in small batches right in our store. We cater weddings, parties, special celebrations, corporate events, and more. Drop by for a visit or call us at 410-875-7238 for more information.