decorative tips
A DELICIOUS DINNER PARTY
Hosting a dinner party is a great way to celebrate your circle. An evening of food, drink, laughter, conversation, and connection is lowpressure yet high-reward entertainment you can tailor to your budget, time, and skills. With a bit of planning and thoughtful choices, you can throw a dinner party that will linger on the hearts and palates of your guests for the rest of the season. Here’s how.
Start with a guest list and invitations. If informal, you don’t need to worry too much about head count. Otherwise, select a handful of individuals or couples that can be seated comfortably around your table. For invitations, consider your audience. Texts or phone calls might be most effective, while classic paper invites or online resources such as Paperless Post or evite make the event feel more like an occasion. Structured invitations can help your guests feel honored and give them a taste of the evening to come.
Next, plan your menu. Take stock of recipes you’ve been wanting to try, those that will feed a crowd, or those that employ seasonal ingredients. If you prefer hosting over cooking, explore your options for catering (or potluck if you know your guests are amenable); many hands make light work, after all. Inquire as to any allergies or sensitivities, and make sure there is plenty of food for a variety of appetites. For an easy luxury experience, include a petite, printed menu at each place setting.
Setting an inviting table is a practical way to share your dining decor. Do you have some loved yet mismatched plates you rarely use? Or delicate china that deserves unboxing? As long as your guests are comfortable and the table isn’t crowded, this is the time to pull out all the stops. Use the crystal, the china, the napkin rings, the table runner, and the goblets. Go to town on making this a dressed-up celebration of food and friendship. But less is more when it comes to sensory details. Loud sounds and strong scents can detract from the meal; so music, floral arrangements, candles, and such should be faint whispers—a backdrop to the stars of the dinner-party show.
Consider your guests’ experience from beginning to end. Keep some takeaway boxes on hand for any leftovers. Or prepare an extra dessert and send it home with your guests to extend the evening and share a little something sweet, too.
Written by Maresa Giovannini.
Photography by EdwinTan/iStock/Getty images Plus.
