A dinner party can be stressful. Setting the table, making sure your house is clean, and preparing a tasty meal for your guests can all be stressful. However, a dinner party does not have to be stressful.
I am proud to be a “relaxed hostess”. I enjoy hosting guests at my home. I’m a homebody, and I don’t mind the extra effort if it means I can do it in the place I love.
After hosting dozens of dinners at my home, I’ve found my niche, from early preparations to fun games and, most importantly, avoiding a thousand dirty dishes. My mom and hosting god Martha Stewart have taught me a lot about etiquette and recipes, and I am proud of that. But I also found my flair that makes dinner parties unique.
You can create a relaxed and fun atmosphere for everyone, even yourself! Here are some tips for hosting a dinner party.
1. Making a Memorable Invite
Make your dinner party invitations memorable. Creating personalised invitations to capture the essence and theme of your event will set the mood and build excitement for your guests. You can choose to print or digitally send out invitations, but you should always select a style or theme that matches your event. Include all the essential information, including date, time and location. Also, include any special instructions. Include any information that your guests may need, such as a list of items to be brought or specific instructions. An informal reminder a few weeks before the event will help to ensure everyone is on board and ready for the fun.
2. All the Dinner Party Essentials You (Might) Need
It’s important to have the essentials at hand for a successful dinner party. This way, you can enjoy the evening with guests instead of rushing around to find the necessary items.
Here is a list that will help you plan a successful dinner party:
- Tableware, Cutlery, and plates for wine and water
- Table Linens: A stylish tablecloth, runner, or placemats.
- Napkins: Cloth or high-quality paper napkins to complement your table setting.
- Serving dishes: Plates, bowls, and serving utensils are used to serve your main course and side dishes.
- Wine opener: A reliable wine key or corkscrew for opening bottles easily.
- Centrepiece: An elegant but simple centrepiece, like a vase of fresh flowers or candles.
- Pitcher: For serving water or pre-made cocktails.
- Coasters: To protect your table from drink stains.
- Ice Buckets: Keep beverages cold throughout the evening.
- Trash bags: To make cleanup quick and simple, especially when you have an overflowing trash can.
3. The Preparation
The dishes are one of the things I dislike most. When I host a party, I make sure that the dishwasher is empty.
You’ll thank yourself for this simple but effective step as the party continues! Also, I always take out the trash — there is nothing worse than a full garbage can at a party.
Please continue reading to get our complete checklist for a dinner party that will run smoothly.
4. The Stress-Free Kitchen
It is important to get the unpleasant jobs done before the party. I prepare everything I cook ahead of time and wash all my knives, cutting boards, and pots as soon as I’m finished using them. This means there will be less cleanup after the party.
5. Setting the Table
My mom has a classic style when it comes to tableware. It suits her taste. Although her timeless tips for table setting still influence me, I like to add my own style.
To give my mother’s style a more modern look, I use pops of bright colours, gold, whites, and black.
If there’s anything you can do to improve your table, having a beautiful centrepiece is it. The centrepiece doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate, but it will bring the table together. Whole Foods sells gorgeous flowers. If you buy some greenery and maybe one or two bright flowers, this will make a big difference.
I always include some flowers in my arrangements. (Succulents are also sometimes a good centrepiece!) I love anemones, ranunculus, and other colourful and unique flowers.
6. Spend and save
There are some places where you can save money and others where you should spend more. Simple white plates can be purchased at Target or Ikea. These plates are not only affordable but also of high quality. Round white plates in a neutral colour are perfect for any menu. They are classic but also clean and modern.
Spend money on quality wine glasses. You do not want to drink La Crema in cheap wine glasses. When buying wine glasses, consider the shape and size of the glass.
You can either save or spend on linens. You can spend a lot on a set of placemats and napkins to create a beautiful set. West Elm, Crate and Barrel and Sur La Table all sell gorgeous linens.
You can save money by making your own sets from fabric. If you’re going to spend a lot, stick to simple designs. They’re timeless, and you’ll never get tired of them. A fun placemat, such as a gold one (I like them), and white or black napkins will make your table look stunning!
7. Menu
The meal will depend on the number of guests you invite. If there are more than six people, I ask everyone to contribute something and put myself in charge of the main course. Someone should bring a side dish, a fruit salad, and a sweet dessert. Don’t tell people what to bring; rather, give them an idea of the cuisine they should follow.
It is easy to make a large salad and pasta dish for six or fewer people. It doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you use a good bottle of wine such as La Crema Monterey Chardonnay.
8. Wine Pairings Done Right
The right wine will make your dinner party sparkle. Matching the wine to the food flavours will ensure that everything tastes great. If you’re serving a hearty dish like beef stew, choose a robust red wine to match the rich flavours. A crisp white wine or delicate rosé is a good choice for lighter dishes like seafood or chicken.
Think about the basics when pairing wine with certain dishes: creamy dishes go well with a buttery Chardonnay, while spicy foods pair nicely with a slightly sweet Riesling. These combinations are classics for a good reason: they work. Don’t be afraid of trying something new. Sometimes, a surprising pairing can make your guests happy.
Offer a variety of wines to ensure that everyone can find something they enjoy. Offering both red and white wines, as well as a sparkling option, will cover all bases. You can make it easier for guests to choose their favourite by writing a note about the wine and what goes well with it on each bottle. You’ll make your guests happy by selecting the right wine for your dinner party.
9. Timeline of the Party
I enjoy filling my dinner parties with an entire night of fun activities. You want to make sure that your guests are having fun from the beginning. So they will leave your dinner party saying it was the best.
A simple cheese platter is always a winner. La Crema Chardonnay would be perfect with appetisers.
You can time everything you want to put in the oven during appetisers so that dinner is ready within a reasonable amount of time. The guests shouldn’t have to wait more than 30 to 45 minutes.
We love to play a board or card game with our guests after dinner. Depending on the crowd, we like Cards Against Humanity or Mad Libs.
10. Overall, Enjoy!
Nothing is better than getting your friends together to have a good time! Relax and enjoy the moments you share with family and friends at dinner! We hope that you have enjoyed these tips for dinner parties, and we would love to know how your parties went.
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