With holiday party planning in full swing, more than a few hosts and hostesses I know are planning to add a chocolate fountain to this year’s buffet table.  Chocolate fountains are attractive centerpieces, and they create delicious deserts and hors d’oeurves without creating a lot of extra work for the chef.  However, there are a few “don’ts” that should be kept in mind if you are planning include a chocolate fountain for your guests.

Don’t Leave the Fountain Unattended

The fountain should be watched at all times by one of the hosts or someone helping serve or prepare the food.  Chocolate fountains are designed to be extremely user friendly, but it is possible to set the fountain up incorrectly creating a hazard for you and your guests.  Keep a close watch on the fountain at all times to avoid a chocolate disaster.

Don’t Let Young Guests Dip

Children are often left unattended during holiday parties.  Once the children are finished playing, they will go straight to the buffet table and in most cases start dipping fruit into the chocolate.  While the fountain is meant to be used and enjoyed, it does present a tempting target for unsupervised children.  Encourage your guests to keep their children away from the melted chocolate, or keep the fountain out of the reach of younger children.

Don’t Use Cheap Chocolate

Many chocolate fountains come with chocolate that is not the best quality.  Invest in some quality chocolate that your guests will enjoy.  Always taste the chocolate before presenting it to your guests.  Using cheap, inferior, chocolate will lead to your fountain being avoided by all guests.

 Chocolate fountains can make your party a hit, especially if you take steps to avoid some of the most common fountain disasters.