How to host the perfect Dinner party (with pictures)
Throwing a dinner party can be a daunting prospect for many people. Particularly if entertaining is not something that you are accustomed to. Questions like, who to invite, how to time the food and what if the night is a complete flop? Make the prospective host anxious and turn the thought of a relaxing night with friends in to a stress fuelled nightmare. It can be stressful and off putting to say the least. However hosting the perfect evening is not as difficult as you may think and with forward planning and following our helpful guide you will be well on your way to being proclaimed the ideal host or hostess.
There is no hard and fast way to ensure a perfect dinner party. But the basic rules you can follow to make your party go off with a bang are:
- prepare early
- plan out your time
- have entertainment ready
- relax and let the guests do the talking
Prepare
1 Who’s coming to dinner?
Before you even told anyone that you’re going to be having a party you will need to decide who to invite. You will want a mix of people. If everyone is loud and boisterous then your evening runs the risk of descending into chaos. If everyone is shy and retiring then your party may become stiff and unentertaining.
Also remember that you are not a restaurant. There are only so many people that you will be able to host and cook for. Keep the numbers small enough so that you are not tripping over each other throughout the evening, but large enough so that you will feel cosy around the dinner table.
Remember to ask if any of your guests have any food requirements. Gluten intolerance, nut allergies and other reactions to food need to be taken into account when planning your menu. Also, if any of your guests a vegan or vegetarian you may find yourself needing to prepare separate dishes to accommodate them.
2 Set the Table way in advance
The last thing your guests will want to see when they arrive is you putting out placemats, coasters, napkins and cutlery. It is also the last thing you will want to be doing when you could be entertaining your guests. Take the time in the afternoon to set the table and have it ready so that all you have to do is light some candles when the guests arrive.
When setting up the dining area, and even the living room where you would normally welcome guests in for drinks before sitting down to eat, try to think of the type of evening you are aiming for. If you are looking for an evening of intelligent conversation then plain and simple may be the way to go. However, if you’re looking for a night of laughs and frolics then something brighter and more fun may suit the mood.
Set your stereo system up with the playlist for the evening and have it started before any of the guests arrive. Background music will help set the atmosphere and allow your guests to relax.
Click here for some perfect placemats and coasters to set your table off perfectly or click here for our guide on how to set the table for your dinner party.
3 Cook early
When your guests arrive you want to be able to spend time with them. Help them get to know each other if any have not met before. Make introductions and handout drinks. You do not want to be rushing so get as much cooking done in the hours beforehand as possible. Cook as much as possible early so that all you need is a final heat through when guests arrive. This will also leave you the added bonus of being able to spend time to make yourself look fabulous before your guests enter your home.
Welcome
4 Welcome guests at the door with a smile and glass of bubbly
A warm welcome cannot be underestimated. Opening the door, fully ready to receive your guests and with a glass of something bubbly will go a long way to helping your guests feel relaxed. Also it will help you get into the swing of the evening.
5 Ice breaker games
A dinner party can be quite an intimidating social event for some people. For the shy members of your group, particularly those that are maybe meeting people for the first time, it can be hard for them to come out of their shell. If you have some guests that do not know each other, whilst having drinks before the meal starts, play an ice breaker game or two. The toilet paper icebreaker is a cheap fun favourite.
The toilet paper game
To play, pass a roll of toilet paper around and have everyone rip off how much they would usually use.
Everyone will probably think you’re crazy.
When everyone has taken some toilet paper, have everyone count their squares. The number of squares each person took is the number of fun facts they have to reveal about themselves.
We have more games on site in our party games section (coming soon).
The main event
6 More games in-between courses
One fun thing I always love at dinner parties is to play dinner party games. Whether it be some version of charades or 20 questions they are always a great diversion from the daily grind. They help people relax and let go of their apprehensions of being around new people. Having your guests play games and compete does have another advantage though. It will keep them entertained and conversation flowing whilst you are busy in the kitchen preparing the next course. A couple of fun well chosen dinner party games can make a nice evening and good food truly memorable to those who have come to enjoy it.
Coming soon we will have an entire section of our site dedicated to these games.
7 Relax and let you guests take the lead on conversation
This is a balancing act. Nobody likes a host that dominates the conversation. You have to remember to relax and let your guests take the lead. You will be busy making sure glasses are topped up and food is not spoilt. Let the guests do some work here and let the conversation flow as much as possible. By all means try to change the topic if something sensitive comes up that you know to be a soft spot for one of your guests, but beyond that relax and enjoy the evening without trying to dominate.
Even bearing this in mind remember to have a few things in reserve in case conversation dries up.
8 Keep the drink flowing but not too much
This really starts when preparing for your dinner party. First of all make sure that you have plenty of what ever it is you will be enjoying available. During the evening keep an eye for anyone whose glasses running low and offer a refill should they require it. Do remember to be a little careful though. No one likes a drunk so if you have a friend attending who likes a little too much, maybe cut them off before the evening gets too messy.
9 Wear an apron in the kitchen.
The chances are that you will have to do leave the table in order to cook and serve food throughout the evening. If you followed some of the earlier steps and you will have made sure to have got as much prepared as possible beforehand. Unfortunately though that does not mean that the evening will be pots and pans free. You will still need to juggle things in order to make sure food is served hot, not spoiled and guests aren’t waiting for long intervals between courses. The last thing you want is a spillage ruining your immaculately prepared outfit. Put on an apron when in the kitchen and this will help keep you look pristine throughout the evening.
How to throw the perfect dinner party cheat sheet
1 Who’s coming to dinner?
Invite a mix of people
Ask for any diet and food requirements
2 Set the Table way in advance
You don’t want to be rushing around.
Take time to set the ambiance perfectly
3 Cook early
Cook as much as possible early so that all you need is a final heat through when guests arrive.
4 Welcome guests at the door
A happy host ready for guests is great. One with a glass of bubbly is even better
5 Ice breaker games
If you have some guests that do not know each other whilst having drinks before the meal starts play an ice breaker game or two
6 More games in-between courses
7 Relax and let you guests take the lead on conversation
But remember to have a few things in reserve in case conversation dries up.
8 Keep the drink flowing but not too much
Watch out for empty glasses and be ready with a refill.
9 Wear an apron in the kitchen.
Chances are you will have to cook during the party. You don’t want to ruin you outfit
To help set the perfect table please click here and take a look at our range of placemats and coasters that will make you table look stunning