Thinking About Hosting a Party At Your Home? Read Here to Find Out How to Throw a Wonderful Dinner Party For Your Friends

If you’re thinking of inviting some friends over for a dinner party, there are some things you should know in order to run a successful supper for your guests. Read on to find out how to be a great host or hostess when holding a dinner party.

Have a Reason For Your Party.
You need something to toast, right? Giving the party a purpose will make it more fun. Birthdays and milestones are obvious reasons for a party, but really you can host a dinner for any reason you dream up.

Don’t Be Confined by the Space You Live In.
If you think your studio is too small or your apartment’s not cute enough, think again. The people and conversation are what make a dinner party special. Sure, a stunning table overlooking the ocean at sunset is spectacular, but it’s not necessary for a dinner to be fun and memorable.

Create a Party Atmosphere
Your kitchen and house shouldn’t be the same as they are everyday. Light candles; set the table with a tablecloth, good china, and cloth napkins; play mood music; fill the room with fresh flowers; and put on a dress.

Don’t Overlook Your Guest’s Dietary Needs.
Being a good hostess means that you want to make your guests feel comfortable while they are dining at your table. Serve food they can eat. If you’re inviting several vegetarians to dinner, serve butternut squash rigatoni, not beef bolognese.

Write Out the Menu!
You want your friends to know what they are eating.

Don’t Skimp on the Alcohol.
It’s better to have more alcohol than less, as it loosens people up and gets the conversation flowing.

Serve Appetizers and Dessert.
Your guests should have something to nibble on when they arrive. It doesn’t have to be homemade arancini filled with foraged mushrooms and smoked mozzarella. Put out a bowl of pistachios and a chunk of aged cheddar and call it a day. The same goes for dessert: Do finish the meal with something sweet. Homemade desserts are lovely, but a scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with a drizzle of chocolate sauce is an easy, crowd-pleasing option.

Don’t Be Limited By Your Cooking Abilities.
You shouldn’t not throw a dinner just because you don’t know how to cook. There are plenty of options for the non-cooking hostess: hit up Whole Foods and make an entire meal from the prepared food section; order an assortment of pizzas and salads from your favorite pizza place; or hire an acclaimed chef from a service like Kitchit to do the dirty work for you.

Be Flexible.
Accept last-minute party guests. If your best friend’s cousin is randomly in town for the night, throw a little more broth in the soup and let the cousin come to dinner, too. If your homemade mayonnaise breaks before you get to serve it, toss it down the drain and jazz up store bought mayo with herbs, citrus, or hot sauce. Remember the hostess sets the tone of the dinner, so if you’re freaking out about a failed attempt to make mayo, your guests will sense your stress and may not have the best possible time.

Don’t Rush to Do the Dishes.
One of the best times of a dinner party is right after the meal is finished when everyone lingers at the table. Open a fresh bottle of wine to ensure both glasses and bellies are full. Sit back, relax, and let the lively conversation commence.

One comment

  1. I love hosting. I will say, I didn’t know it was etiquette to only fill the persons glass on your left, and not the right side. I’ll keep that in mind 🙂

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *