Simple Plan for Hosting a Dinner Party or Casual Get Together

Hosting a dinner party? Throwing a surprise party for someone? Celebrating a holiday with family and friends?  Here is a simple plan to help with your party. 

Planning & Invitations

Set a date and time
Set a date that works for you and your family

Decide on a theme

Get as creative as you want! Whether it’s a casual Super Bowl party or formal Thanksgiving dinner.

Make out your guest list

Decide on the maximum number of people your house (or facility) can hold and go from there

Send the invitations

Cut down on postage costs by creating postcard invitations yourself. Or, send e-invites for an innovative, inexpensive touch.

Plan your menu

Go grocery shopping two or three days before the party

Decorating & Setting the Table   

Is your party formal or casual? Setting for formal gatherings usually requires linens, special-occasion dishes and much more flatware. On the other hand, setting for casual get-togethers is just the basics.

Keep a mental checklist (or, even better, write it down!) of the things you find yourself forgetting when you're setting the table.

Making specialty drinks, appetizers and desserts
Add a special touch to your party with some fun, easy recipes that center arou nd the theme of your party.

The Bar

Besides setting up your bar with your favorite liqueurs, wines and garnishes, it’s good to know what kind and how many glass types you’ll need to accommodate your guests.

Set up a do-it-yourself drink table or area. Provide all the bar necessities (i.e., juices and sodas for mixing, bowl of olives, limes, fruit garnishes, swizzle sticks), so the guests can make their own drinks; thus, freeing up your time to mingle!

Decorations

Have something appealing on the door or in the entryway, like wreaths, plants, garden tea lights or a holiday decoration. These welcoming signs always make guests feel at home.

Centerpieces

No table looks complete without some sort of centerpiece. This can be as elegant or as informal as your dinner party, but always follow one guideline: Your guests should be able to easily see each other above the centerpiece. So, keep those flowers or candles to a manageable height so your guests won't strain their necks attempting conversation.

Greeting your guests

Designate someone as the greeter. Their job is to greet and direct guests to the drinks and appetizers as well as a place they can store their belongings.

Note:

Do … serve dinner 20-30 minutes after your guests have arrived. If it’s a formal dinner, try to have the first course on the table when you call your guests to dinner.

Do … set up an easily accessible area for your guests to get their own food and dishes for casual parties.

Don’t … forget the coffee! Here’s where the coffee maker comes in handy! Also, get out the ice cream and blender for specialized after-dinner drinks your guests are sure to love

Don’t … spend the rest of the party cleaning up after everyone. LEAVE the kitchen and enjoy your guests. The dishes will still be there after your guests have left.