It is party season. Many of these parties feature buffet style dining. Not everyone can eat everything. Because some of my dear friends fall in to this situation, I created these little identification tags so they can confidently fill their plate without fear and without passing up something that was safe for them to eat. Others serve as warning signs to help to keep my lovelies safe. (Download yours here).
Yes, these tags work all yearlong. Whether you are hosting or just contributing, you will be appreciated if you identify the presence of nuts, dairy, meat and gluten. But, the absence of these four items will also be appreciated by those who need to avoid them because they often end a buffet line with a plate lacking in variety out of the limited choices they have, but also out of fear of uncertainty that a particular item is safe for them to eat. Not only do they serve as ingredient identification for these people, but they also serve as a little love note for these same people – to show them that you care about them.
Yes, you will only need some of these… this time. The extra, unused tags can be tucked in an envelope and stored in your recipe box so that you can pop them on whatever you take to a potluck.
The one inch circles can attach nicely to toothpicks, wooden skewers, and serving spoons. You can either use two, so that it is double sided, or adhere a backing of pre-printed patterned scrapbook paper or a contrasting color. Confession: I have been known to use my paper punch to make solid color circles from those paint chip samples every hardware store has racks and racks of, free for the taking.
While the cards can be attached to a wooden clothespin which will stand tall when clipped on the edge of a bowl. When you are not using a bowl, they can be glued to tent style card and placed on a plate or platter. Alternatively (and more easily), you can just slap it on whatever serving vessel you are using with a piece of washi tape (because everyone loves washi tape and it comes in every color, so you can match the party’s theme).
For the Holiday season, I like to print the ‘contains’ signs on red so those who can’t have that ingredient see the STOP sign, and the ‘free’ signs on green so everyone knows to GO ahead and have it. This works since traditional Christmas colors are green and red. Otherwise, I have printed them on whatever color paper corresponds with the party or that I have on hand.
My friends who need these tags, appreciate it. My friends who don’t need them are enlightened that not everyone can eat everything. While I want to nurture my friends who need them, I also want to educate everyone to be sensitive so that when they are hosting or contributing to a meal, a seed of awareness has been planted.
You can download these printables at: https://nancyingersoll.com/product/buffet-printables/
Below are affiliate links to products that I like to use with this sort of craft. Nancy Ingersoll is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Washi Tape | Small Clothes Pins | Standard Clothes Pins | Double Sided Tape | Mini Paper Trimmer | Refill Blades | Guillotine Paper Cutter | 1″ circle Punch | White Card Stock |
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