The Paper Towel Trick for Food Styling and Entertaining

I have a quick party planning tip for you today.  It's something that I use all the time, both for photos and for actual parties.  

You know how sometimes you want to serve something--candies, for example--and you buy a few pounds (and realize how much that costs, and how small a volume it is!) and you realize it just isn't going to fill the container you envisioned using?  This trick is for you.

The secret?  Stuff your container with either paper towels or balled-up cling wrap.  

In this example, I wanted to use red plastic cups to serve my Chocolate Polka Dot Popcorn, but filling that entire thing would have been way too much popcorn for a single kid, especially when there were other treats at the party.  But stuff some food-safe paper towels in the bottom 2/3 of the cup, and you have the perfect serving size, and the display looks great.

I used a bunch on this display I helped A to Zebra Celebrations put together (I was just the helping hands and photographer, she was the stylist).  I can't take any credit for that gorgeous tiered serving tray, but I totally came to the rescue with my cling wrap when the candy corns and chocolate acorns just didn't look abundant enough on the deep tray with the supply we had.

So if your food is looking a little sad and stingy and needs a bit of a boost, just head to your kitchen cabinets for some filler.