How to Host a Dinner Party: 5 Steps to a Memorable Evening

After a couple of years of avoiding social events and staying isolated from friends and family, we finally returned to spending time with loved ones. A dinner party is an excellent way to gather and bond with people. However, for many, hosting a dinner can be stressful. Aside from cleaning the house and cooking up a meal that every guest will enjoy, you also have to set and decorate the table, mix drinks, prepare a playlist, and more. To ensure that your event will be a success, we’ve compiled a few practical tips on how to host a dinner party. Interested? Great, let’s get stuck in!

1. How to Host a Dinner Party: Set the Table

Setting your dinner party table sounds simple, but more than just placing plates, glasses, and utensils, you will also want to add a few decorative items. Since it’s a special occasion, you will most likely get out your special china and premium knives, spoons, and forks (if you have any on hand). Additionally, you can add a pop of color by adding bright or pastel-colored napkins, glasses, or decor. Fresh flower arrangements in glass or porcelain vases effectively spruce up your table, as do small sculptures and green centerpieces. However you plan to decorate, leave enough room for your food. If you serve every guest’s meal pre-arranged on their plate, you won’t have to worry about space on the table for your food.

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Insight- Stay Alert: Of course, drinking can be great fun, but when you’re hosting, you need to keep a good head on your shoulders. Being a hospitable host is your primary objective!

2. Prepare Properly

It would be best to prep everything you will be cooking beforehand. This includes laying out the cutting boards, knives, pots, and pans and chopping up any veggies that can be prepared early on. Doing so will cut down your time on the day and help you clean up faster once you’re done cooking. Always pre-make your dessert the night before your dinner date. If it’s a creme brulée, you only have to torch the sugar before serving. Pudding and cake can be completely pre-made and just have to be served. And if you serve ice cream, have your toppings, bowls, and spoons ready so you can assemble everything quickly after dinner.

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3. How to Host a Dinner Party: Selecting Tableware and Decor

If you don’t have extra tableware for special events in your house, you can always opt for white plates and bowls. They are neutral, go with everything, and allow the colors of your meals to take center stage. Whether your interiors are traditional or modern, white china is universally suitable for every meal and always looks clean. Wine glasses should be of good quality. When serving expensive wine, you don’t want to subject your guests to drinking from flimsy, cheap glasses. Consider what type of wine you will serve, white or red, and have glasses for both available.

Placemats should match to give your table a cohesive look. You can find beautiful linen ones in sets of 8-10, along with matching napkins that spruce up your table setting. If you don’t see any style you like, you can always buy fabric and have napkins made. It’s generally not expensive, and unlike paper napkins, you can use those made of fabric forever. White and black napkins are always in style and appeal to most people’s tastes.

Continue Reading: Table Setting Decor: Casual to Formal and Everything in Between

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Insight – Be Inclusive: Not everyone can eat the same things, so it’s essential to consider that when planning your menu. Make sure you have options there for those with dietary restrictions. The same goes for those who aren’t drinking!

4. Dinner Party Timeline

Your dinner should start with appetizers like a simple cheese plate or hors d’oeuvres. Pair this with a light wine like a chardonnay. This is the time to turn on the oven to cover any last-minute sides you have to cook, bake, or heat up. With drinks and conversations, estimate the pre-dinner time to take 30-40 minutes. Once your meal is ready, seat everyone and serve the main dish. Allow guests to select a wine or serve what you have prepared. After dinner, everyone might feel full and need time to rest and digest. This is the ideal time to play a card or board game or simply enjoy some conversation on the couch in the living room or outdoor porch. Finish off the evening by serving dessert and a matching beverage.

Photo by Melissa Walker Horn from Unsplash

Insight – Don’t Be Too Strict: While it can be nice to have a seating arrangement planned, the best course of action is to focus on your guest’s comfort(1). Don’t be a stickler if you don’t need to be!

5. Entertainment

Most dinner parties don’t need unique entertainment. Good conversation between friends goes a long way in ensuring everyone will enjoy your evening. But for those that want to add a fun element, buy and prepare a card or board game. Uno, Monopoly Deal, or Cards Against Humanity are popular and easy games. Preparing a music playlist for the evening is also an excellent way to prepare beforehand. However, if you’re tight on time, you can always just play a Spotify playlist in your preferred genre. 

Ready to Host the Perfect Dinner Party?

Dinner parties are one of the best ways to reconnect with friends, colleagues, and family – and your dinner party decor will set your night up for success. From stunning homeware sets to classic and ambient lighting to timeless decoration options, there are countless ways to host the perfect dinner party. With the steps and insight outlined in this article, you should now be able to enjoy an evening of joyous laughter, clinking glasses, and delicious food. Happy planning!

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