How To Plan A Perfect Dinner Party

 Dinner parties are a great way to spend more quality time with your friends, show off your latest home renovations, or even celebrate a special event such as an anniversary or baby shower. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it's likely that you’re a little out of practice when it comes to hosting guests within your home. This can make the planning process for a successful dinner party even more stressful than .it was previously - especially if you really want to WOW your guests. 

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With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to plan the perfect dinner party!

Send out invites in advance.

As restrictions begin to ease, our social calendars are filling up again. Therefore, if you want to avoid empty seats at the table, then you should aim to send out party invitations sooner rather than later. This gives your guests plenty of time to prepare and can help you ensure you buy enough refreshments for everyone. 

Put together a menu. 

The key to a successful dinner party is in the name - the dinner. So, regardless of whether you are a culinary whizz or a cooking novice, putting together a menu for your party should be the first step. While you may be tempted to emulate the dinner parties you see on TV and cook 5+ courses - it's far better for your stress levels to keep it simple. For example, you should make a starter such as this vegetable beef soup before moving on to entrees and dessert. For dessert, consider simplifying your preparation by serving a selection of pastries from Mah Ze Dahr New York bakery, allowing you to focus more on your guests and less on the kitchen. Planning your menu ahead of time also gives you the chance to confirm any dietary requirements with your guests and to consider different food and wine pairings.

Choose a theme.

Another way you can impress your guests at a dinner party is by choosing a cool party theme. For example, you could host a murder mystery-themed dinner party, where guests all have a role to play in solving a crime. Alternatively, you could opt for something a little more straightforward - such as an 80s or 90s themed bash. Choosing a theme can also help you with refining your menu, selecting music, and even party decor. Be sure to encourage your guests to dress to match the theme too!

Clean your home wisely.

Before welcoming guests into your home, you’re likely going to want to spend a lot of time cleaning and organizing - especially if your floors are currently covered in piles and piles of kids' toys. However, it's important to remember that you don’t need to deep clean your entire house before a dinner party - giving you a chance to focus on the areas that you know your guests will spend time in. For example, while you should ensure you clean your living room and dining area, you probably don't need to clean your bedroom.

Set the mood with a welcome cocktail.

If you’re trying to WOW your guests from the word go, then why not have a welcome cocktail prepared for them when they arrive? For example, you could create a Confetti champagne cocktail or something a little more traditional ahead of time and then keep them chilled until you hear the doorbell ring. This is a great way to set the tone for the rest of the evening and can even help your guests relax and unwind! 

Think about your entertainment.

As mentioned previously, the main star of your evening should be the food and drink you serve. However, you should also find some ways to keep your guests entertained once the plates have been cleaned. For example, you could play a series of dinner party games designed to get the conversation flowing. This could be particularly useful if you are inviting guests who have not spent much time together beforehand - as it helps them get to know each other in a calm, relaxed manner. 

Put together a playlist. 

In order to host the perfect party, you must ensure you get the atmosphere exactly right. While this can be achieved through decor and lighting, the right music choices often go a long way. If you aren’t sure what songs will be best - ask guests to send over a few of their favorite tunes ahead of time and add them to one playlist.