Gather guests around an outdoor fire pit or an indoor fireplace, and comfort them with a cup of warm cider. It's a great way to share after doing invigorating yard work, harvesting fall produce or taking in--or participating in--outdoor sports games.

Caramel Apple Bars

Fall Harvest Gathering Menu Peachy Spiced Cider  Fall Cheese Platter   Slow Cooker Potato and Double-Corn Chowder  Squash and Bean Soup  Herbed French Bread  Tossed Greens with Sesame and Oranges  Caramel Apple Bars  Coffee* * Recipe is not included

Soup Service

• Serve the Squash and Bean Soup in squash bowls, following the "How To" recipe tip.
• Serve the Slow Cooker Potato and Double-Corn Chowder in bread bowls. To make, cut off tops of small, round bread loaves, and scoop out the bread from the loaves, leaving a 1-inch-thick wall (use the scooped-out bread for bread crumbs another time). Ladle soup into loaves just before serving; replace tops.

 Buffet Best

• Have guests serve themselves buffet-style. Have TV trays or other trays available for guests to place their dishes and silverware on. They can then easily balance their meals on their laps while watching the football game or sitting by the fire.
• Make it easy for guests to grab silverware and a napkin by wrapping each place setting in a napkin with a piece of raffia or twine, like a package.

 Centerpieces that "Center" Around Fun

• Arrange pom-poms, team banners and mums for a football party.
• Arrange apples and bandanas in a wicker basket for an apple-picking party.
• Arrange paint brushes, rollers, scrapers, etc., in a paint bucket for a painting party.

Preparation Guide

Up to 2 Weeks Before

• Make Apple-Cranberry Chutney for Fall Cheese Platter.

The Day Before

• Make Slow Cooker Potato and Double-Corn Chowder and Squash and Bean Soup; cover and refrigerate.
• Make squash bowls; cool, cover and refrigerate. Or prepare bread bowls; return to bag and close tightly.
• Make Caramel Apple Bars.
• Make Orange-Sesame Dressing for Tossed Greens with Sesame and Oranges; cover and refrigerate.
• Cut cheese for Fall Cheese Platter; store covered in refrigerator.
• Assemble Herbed French Bread up to the point of baking; wrap in aluminum foil and refrigerate.

30 Minutes Before Guests Arrive

• Prepare Peachy Spiced Cider.
• Assemble the cheese platter.

As Guests Arrive

• Serve cups of Peachy Spiced Cider.

About 30 Minutes Before Serving Meal

• Unwrap squash bowls and place on cookie sheet. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and reheat in 300° oven until hot.
• Reheat soups over low heat, stirring occasionally, until hot.
• Prepare step 1 of Tossed Greens with Sesame and Oranges.
• Heat the bread.

Just Before Serving

• Toss the salad.