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How can I Prepare to Host a Dinner Party?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Though dinner parties can be loads of fun, many individuals find planning them quite frightening. However, the thought of hosting a dinner party doesn’t have to make you break into a cold sweat. By planning well and taking a simple approach to your preparations, you can pull off a successful dinner party and enjoy yourself as well.

Preparing to host your dinner should begin with determining the reason for your dinner party and chooing a date. You may choose to center your dinner party on a specific holiday or occasion. However, you needn’t have a special occasion in mind, as many dinner parties are given just for the fun of it. It is best to select a date for your dinner party that will allow you to prepare in a relaxed manner. It is often best to avoid traditional workdays, as they tend to be hectic for both the host and the guests.

Dinner parties may be easier to host through use of a checklist.
Dinner parties may be easier to host through use of a checklist.

Decide on a style or theme for your dinner party. For example, you may decide to have an informal dinner, an outdoor barbecue, or an elegant affair. Also, decide on the number of people you want to include. Some entertainment experts recommend starting with no more than six to eight guests if you are hosting your first dinner party or are a novice cook.

Coffee is typically served with dessert at a dinner party.
Coffee is typically served with dessert at a dinner party.

Once you’ve decided on a style, it is time to invite your guests. Depending on the level of formality you’ve chosen, you may choose to invite your guests by phone, e-mail, or regular mail. For an informal gathering, it is wise to give at least a few days’ to a week’s notice. For formal dinner parties, it is a good idea to mail invitations about a month in advance of your chosen date.

Most dinner parties set out a salad bowl for guests.
Most dinner parties set out a salad bowl for guests.

After you’ve finished with the invitations, you should start planning your menu. Consider appetizer, meal, beverage, and dessert options. Keep in mind that some of your guests may be allergic to certain food items. If you are able to learn about this in advance, you may want to exclude that particular food. If not, you may do well to prepare a few extra dishes without foods that frequently cause allergies, such as nuts. Likewise, unless you are certain that all of your guests are meat eaters, you may do well to prepare some vegetarian dishes as well.

Dinner parties may be arranged to celebrate a special event, like an anniversary.
Dinner parties may be arranged to celebrate a special event, like an anniversary.

Take some time and consider the decor for your dinner party, as well as the seating arrangement. Seat your guests to maximize comfort and allow for easy socializing. Create the type of mood you want with accessories, table settings, lighting, and music. If you are planning a large dinner party, you may consider hiring help or renting some of the supplies you need.

Dinner parties expecting a lot of guests may bring in a catered buffet.
Dinner parties expecting a lot of guests may bring in a catered buffet.

No matter what theme or size you choose for your dinner party, try to keep things as uncomplicated as possible throughout your preparations. Try to choose options that will make things as easy as possible for you, allowing you to enjoy your guests. Also, consider developing a checklist to make preparing to host your dinner party easier.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

mutsy

Moldova-If you want to plan an easy dinner party, you can look at the site called Delish. They offer great recipes that provide you will excellent dinner party ideas.

There are recipes for appetizers, entrees, and desserts. The nice thing is that these recipes are easy to prepare and very sophisticated in nature.

The ideas are great to thrill your guests. I also think that dinner party games are also important. There are many video versions of Charades, Pictionary, and Scene it that will get your guests having a good time.

Moldova

Suntan12-Oh that sounds like so much fun. I agree with the dinner party chef. What would also be nice is if your guests can be seated in a way in which the chef cooks directly in front of them.

This way the chef also becomes a source of entertainment because your guests may ask the chef questions about various aspects of the meal and its preparation.

It is similar to when you go to a Japanese steak house restaurant like Bentihavas. Part of the experience is watching the chef.

It will also give your guests something to talk about which can be a great conversation starter. The chef can also create dinner party menus for so that you do not have to worry about the dinner party food that you will be serving.

A chef, being a culinary expert should provide your guests with a balance menu that will wow your guests.This makes dinner party planning easier.

suntan12

A great dinner party idea is to hire a dinner party chef that cooks for your guests.

It relives you of having to prepare the meals and having a personal chef and a nice touch. You can even have a dinner party theme like the 70’s in order to commemorate the era.

Your guests can wear platform shoes and you can play disco music. The women can wear gaucho pants and the men can wear polyester suits a la John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.

It could be a really fun event and you can buy foods that were well known in the 70’s. Tab for example, was a diet soda that was all the rage in the 70’s. Nostalgic foods and candy also brings back memories for people who enjoyed that era.

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    • Dinner parties may be easier to host through use of a checklist.
      By: Arman Zhenikeyev
      Dinner parties may be easier to host through use of a checklist.
    • Coffee is typically served with dessert at a dinner party.
      By: pabijan
      Coffee is typically served with dessert at a dinner party.
    • Most dinner parties set out a salad bowl for guests.
      By: Brent Hofacker
      Most dinner parties set out a salad bowl for guests.
    • Dinner parties may be arranged to celebrate a special event, like an anniversary.
      By: Minerva Studio
      Dinner parties may be arranged to celebrate a special event, like an anniversary.
    • Dinner parties expecting a lot of guests may bring in a catered buffet.
      By: Sébastien Maurer
      Dinner parties expecting a lot of guests may bring in a catered buffet.
    • When setting a formal table, it's best to use white linen tablecloths and napkins.
      By: araraadt
      When setting a formal table, it's best to use white linen tablecloths and napkins.
    • Appetizers may be served during a dinner party.
      By: JJAVA
      Appetizers may be served during a dinner party.
    • Dinner parties might be costly depending on the number of guests who attend.
      By: Gerald Bernard
      Dinner parties might be costly depending on the number of guests who attend.
    • A barbecue is ideal for an informal dinner party.
      By: Monkey Business
      A barbecue is ideal for an informal dinner party.
    • Dinner parties might be smaller affairs with just a few close friends.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Dinner parties might be smaller affairs with just a few close friends.
    • Dinner parties might be organized with a small group of friends.
      By: tomas del amo
      Dinner parties might be organized with a small group of friends.