Hosting an unforgettable dinner party can seem like a daunting task on the surface, but when you know where to start and how to prepare, it is far easier than you may think. Here are a few of the best tips to help you host a dinner party your friends and family will love.
Make a List
Firstly, make a list of everything you will need and want to do for the night. From food and drinks, to what music you want to play and what extras you may need for your table setting, cutlery, etc, include it all.
Don’t forget small details either; if there are smokers, purchase a few disposable ALT vapes for them to use, or if there are a lot of people attending, ensure sufficient seating. This list will act as a blueprint for the evening and will ensure that you don’t forget anything.
Choose a Theme
While not necessary, a theme can be fun as you can set your menu and drinks around it, choose appropriate music, or give your guests the chance to dress up. At the very least, a theme can also give you some direction.
This can be helpful when it comes to choosing your menu, as it can set you in a specific direction and ensure the menu flows and is connected in some way.
Food & Drink
Speaking of food and drink, this is the most essential part of the evening. It goes without saying that a dinner party without a great menu and drinks can go pear-shaped incredibly quickly.
Keep it Simple
The first thing you want to do is keep the menu simple. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to make the most exotic, over-the-top meal possible, just because you are hosting a dinner party.
Instead, choose meals that are delicious, but challenging to ruin and easy to make. No one is going to complain if you make a simple stew or casserole, but it is the best one your guests have ever eaten. Professional chefs all say that a perfectly made grilled cheese sandwich will always be better than a poorly made steak or salmon fillet.
Prepare in Advance
Aim to have a dish or two, or at least elements of a dish, that you can prepare in advance. The last thing you want to do is spend all night in the kitchen and miss out on time with your guests.
Most desserts can be prepared in advance, as well as dishes like soup or a hearty stew. On the other hand, there are also several things that are still delicious when reheated, such as curries, some pasta dishes, etc.
Be Aware of Diet Restrictions
When creating your menu, be sure you know if there are any dietary restrictions or allergies you need to be aware of. For instance, someone might be gluten-intolerant or a vegetarian, and you should prepare for accordingly.
The same applies to allergies; if a guest has a nut allergy, for instance, it could be so severe that their nut-free dessert could still cause a reaction simply because it was stored in the same fridge as the desserts that have nuts.
Family-Style When Appropriate
Another tip is to serve food family-style if and when possible. For instance, serving a big plate of steaks in the middle of the table isn’t the best option, but the same can’t be said for stew, soup, a baked dish, etc.
You also don’t know how much each guest will want of each element, and serving family-style will reduce waste.
Music & Lighting
Music and lighting are two areas where you can shine when it comes to setting the mood. No candles are calming and ideal for setting a tranquil scene, while great music will put everyone in a good mood and ready for a great evening.
When in doubt, keep the lighting relatively low, avoid turning on every light, and limit the amount of white light. For music, apps like YouTube and Spotify will have plenty of pre-made playlists suited for your evening and mood.
Entertainment
While not essential if you are having a dinner party where all your guests know each other, a form of entertainment can be a great way to break the ice if there are guests who have never met before.
Don’t whip out the Monopoly board, but opt for something like Charades, a trivia game, Who Am I?, etc. These games are easy to understand and play, will lead to a few laughs, and get all your guests talking, stop any awkward silences and prevent any guests from feeling like they are left out.
End Strong
Finally, always aim to end on a great and memorable note. Once dessert has been eaten, make coffees, teas, or nightcaps for everyone, take everyone outside to enjoy a drink under the stars, or whatever else you may feel like.
You don’t want your guests just to finish their meal and leave, and ending on a good note will most definitely be the cherry on top of a great evening.
Hi there! I am Emily Evert, the owner of Emily Reviews. I am 28 and live in a small town in Michigan with my boyfriend Ryan and our two pugs. I have a large family and I adore my nieces and nephews. I love reading memoirs, and learning about child development and psychology. I love watching The Game of Thrones, Teen Mom, Sister Wives and Veep. I like listening to Jason Isbell, John Prine, and other alt-country or Americana music. I created Emily Reviews as a creative outlet to share my life and the products that I love with others.
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