What is more fun than having a table full of friends over for dinner? Throwing a dinner party, is not only fun, but it can be extremely stressful for some. If you are throwing a party you should consider doing as much as you can in advance.
Here are some tips to help you throw a successful dinner party:
- Always pick a good group of friends who get along with each other. Tension within a group can quickly spoil your party. If you are inviting a new friend over, make sure you think they will fit in with your group. If you are having a fancy party, you can mail nice invitations. Otherwise, an email or a simple phone call is the way to go.
- Many people have food allergies or special dietary requirements. Make sure to ask your guests if they are allergic to any food or are vegetarian. It would be very awkward to have a guest there that can’t eat what you have prepared. A dinner party is not the ideal time to experiment in the kitchen. Stick to dishes that you have made before and were successful. You should avoid cooking dishes that require a lot of your attention. You want to be able to entertain your guests and not stay stuck in the kitchen the entire time.
- Days prior, you should check to make sure you have everything you need. This includes wine glasses, extra plates, serving dishes and dessert forks. Lay everything out on the table including your recipe ingredients to make sure it’s all there. Plan to have a little extra on hand in case an unexpected guest shows up.
- You should do as much prep work as you can the night before. You can make baked desserts the night before and some casseroles. It’s a good idea to wash pots and pans immediately after you use them. This will leave less dishes and mess at the end of the party to clean. Make sure you have an empty dishwasher the day of your party.
- There is nothing wrong with taking shortcuts. You can purchase already made appetizers or buy your baked goods from the local bakery.
- Ask your family or friends to bring any side dishes, drinks or desserts. You can set up a do-it-yourself bar, so you don’t have to worry about making sure everyone has enough to drink. If someone shows up early it’s ok to ask them to help slice lemons. You should set the dinner table the night before. Stock up on several bags of ice before your dinner party.
- Have the right attitude to help your guests feel welcome. Staying cheerful and relaxed throughout your party will show your guests you’re not stressed. Set the mood with relaxing music. Don’t go crazy with the appetizers. It will only cost you more money and leave your guests full before dinner. You should offer your guests coffee or tea after your dinner.
- Lastly, don’t take yourself or your party too seriously. Your friends won’t care if your party isn’t “fancy” enough. They are happy as it is to be invited to eat free food. If you make any mistakes, no one will probably notice.
