Serving Trays - Find a Metal, Glass, or Ceramic Serving Tray
Serving trays come in all manner of varieties. When shopping for one, make sure to consider all your choices carefully before making a purchase. Some things to think about include the average size of your party; for example, do you need a large tray for serving many people, or a smaller one for a more intimate setting. Will your guests be seated inside or outside? If having an outdoor party, you may wish to stay away from more fragile trays that could shatter if dropped, especially if you are around bare feet, like a pool party. For these types of events, a wooden or plastic tray is probably best.
For indoor or more formal occasions, you can't go wrong with a silver, porcelain, or frosted glass tray. These not only add an air of elegance to the occasion, but afford the opportunity for a great conversation piece should you need it. The glass based serving trays are easily cleaned, but for silver you will need to be willing to polish (or find someone willing to do it for you). Consider too the size of your dishwasher if you are hoping to use it for clean up after entertaining.
Lastly, depending on your style and preference, you may wish to find a tray with handles. Opinions are divided as to whether this adds to the look, but in many cases a firm grip allows the food and drink to be safely conveyed from origin to destination. Something else to consider is the type of food to be served. For cheeses, breads, and other foods that may be cut, a stronger tray is required; if you're serving glasses you want a stable one, and if it's finger foods then a rim might be nice to keep plates from sliding off the edges. Take a look around and see if you can find one that meets your needs.