Learn How To Host A Dinner Party

More often than not, having friends over for dinner involves buying take-out food, cheap wine and putting on a good movie. Why not opt for a change and host a dinner party instead. It is fun, easy to plan and will give you a fantastic excuse to put on the new suit or dashing pair of shoes that you bought.

Learn how to host a dinner party

However, hosting a dinner party can be a complete disaster if the host is not relaxed and well-prepared. Here are some tips to ensuring that you are well-prepared and ready to have fun:

Set a date, send the invites and plan the theme: The very first step is to invite guests over. Set a date for the party and ensure that you attach an rsvp note. Be sure to set this date a few weeks in advance so that you can have a final guest list long in advance. Once you have a guest list, the next step is to create a theme for your dinner party. Tailor the dinner party theme to something that you and your guests will enjoy.

Be realistic about your cooking: The next step is to plan your menu. Make a realistic call on your cooking and basic cooking skills. The type of food that you serve needs to tie in with your theme. For example, no one wants to sit outside drinking cocktails at the fire in a suit and tie. Therefore, tailor your meal to the party theme. If you will be serving cocktails, you may need to provide your guests with a Black 5″ Cocktail Stirrer each.

Make lists: Lists are absolutely essential to any party planner. Make a list of the food and drinks that you need to buy, what the guests are able to eat and the type of decorations that you want to hang. This part is critical to ensuring that your evening is a success, as you cannot enjoy a lamb stew without the lamb or cheese and wine without having the right cheeses.

Clean, clean and clean some more: No one wants to sit in between your dirty laundry or sit at a dusty table. Be sure to thoroughly clean your home before the dinner party. Focus on the main areas that guests will be gathering, such as your living and dining room, kitchen and bathroom. So ensure that you have clean carpets, windows, tables and chairs.

Set the table in advance:

You need to set the table before the guests arrive. Be sure to add enough plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery to the table. Ensure that you have a spare place setting in the kitchen in case someone spills the wine or drops their fork on the floor. Furthermore, if you have any pets try and keep them away from the table and chairs, as you do not want muddy paw prints running down the table.

Enjoy yourself: The last things that you need to do is enjoy yourself, it is after all your own party. Ensure that you have planned everything in advance and have most of the food prepared and cooked before the guests arrive. This way you will be able to sip on a glass of wine and have fun with your friends. Otherwise you will be slaving away in the kitchen and missing your own dinner party.

Greg Jones loves spending weekends with good friends, food and wine. A couple of our friends are candle manufacturers and always brings along a few long stem candles so that we can dine in style.