A dinner party could serve many purposes, such as celebrating an anniversary or finally getting your dream job. No matter the reason, dinner parties are a great way to gather your friends and family and have a great time.
However, hosting one could be a bit stressful, as doing all the work it requires can really get to you. Making sure the house is perfectly clean, cooking the most delicious meal your guests will be in awe from and not forgetting to call your aunt can lead to a devastated host busy sweating in the kitchen.
A bit of preparation before the big night is a key factor in ensuring your party will be an event your guests won’t forget. Here a few tips and tricks on how to make it happen as stress-free as possible.
- Decide who you’re going to invite ahead
If you’re hosting your first dinner party, inviting four to six people is always a good choice. Remember, you have to feed all of your guests, so starting small won’t stress you out as much.
Make sure to invite your guests at least two weeks ahead and ask for any dietary restrictions in your invite.
- Plan out the menu
Cooking meals that you already know by heart may come in handy while hosting your dinner party. Prepare everything you’re cooking ahead of time so when the time comes you’ll be less stressed out. If you can, prepare dessert ahead as well.
- Provide plenty of drinks
Try pairing your drinks with your main course – have beer and cider on hand, and maybe some liqueur that goes really well with the dessert. If you can’t decide on the drinks, we got you – wine goes well with everything.
- Set the table
If you fancy the traditional style more, don’t hold back in breaking out your fine china and vintage wine cups. Don’t worry about items breaking, as your guests will be at their best behaviour once they see the effort you’ve put in setting the table as perfect as it can get.
However, if you’re more into the modern style of setting the table, try matching your centrepiece with a bouquet of fresh flowers and place a few light-scented candles around.
- Enjoy the party!
Setting some expectations can really motivate you in making sure your dinner party goes smooth, but don’t stress out if something falls out of hand. Remember, there’s nothing better than night-in with your closest friends and family, so sit back and enjoy those precious moments!