Home parties are a great way to promote your fruit cakes. Organise a few parties in a month, for close relatives and friends. Invite a small group each time so that you will have adequate time to talk to each and everyone to be able to bring up a conversation on your cakes.

Begin by sending out invitations at least 2 weeks in advance. You would not want to bake nice cakes and waste them by not being able to serve the number of people you intend to.

Next in the process is to do the necessary preparation. If you are inviting people for a tea party, then you will have to prepare tea and tea time treats. Prepare 2 or 3 different cakes, depending on the crowd. Make sure you have a combination of cakes, i.e, traditional fruit cakes (those made using dried fruits and nuts), plain unfrosted cakes orange cake,lemon cake, etc) as well as rich decorated cakes (blueberry chocolate cake, mango chocolate cake, peach cake, etc). Ideally, slice the cakes beforehand so that it will be easier to serve them to your guests.

Just as in any other tea parties, you have to set the table with a tea pot, cups and saucers. Also make sure you have adequate spoons and forks for your guests to enjoy your cakes. Since cakes are always sweet, try to balance your party with one savoury dish like mini tuna or cheese sandwiches.

Alternatively, if you are having a dinner party, you need not make many different types of cakes. One or two will do, but be sure to choose cakes that can make rich desserts like cheesecakes. Decorate the cakes well and serve them on nice cake platters or cake stands.

At the end of it all, before you send off your guests, give each one of them a small cake gift. Bake your favourite fruit cake, for example, a pineapple upside down cake and cut it into neat squares. Wrap the sides of each cake with plastic cellophane and place them on aluminium foil. Pack each slice in attractive cake boxes. You may also tie a ribbon around the boxes if you wish. By doing this, you are showing them how cakes ordered from you will be packed and delivered. Above all, make sure to include your name and contact details on the boxes.

More free fruit cake recipes can be obtained from www.fruitcake-recipes.com

Sally Maha

Recipes and pictures for all the cakes mentioned in the article can be obtained from http://www.fruitcake-recipes.com