When you have children, it’s difficult to find the time to do all those grown-up things you used to love. Much of your entertaining might be done at home to avoid using babysitters. This is why dinner parties are one of the best ways to catch up with old friends and get to know new ones. If you haven’t hosted a dinner party for a while, why not prepare something extra special for next month?
Preparation
Preparing your evening will take much of the stress out of it. Then you can sit down and enjoy some time with your friends instead of spending the evening in the kitchen. It all starts with selecting your menu. You may have a theme in mind like seafood or Thanksgiving. You will need to source the ingredients for each course. Don’t forget to select drinks or wine that will suit each course too. Many dinner parties start with appetisers before sitting to the table. Then there may be a starter. The main course, a cheese board or a dessert may be all you need. Add soup courses or platters as you desire.
Decor
Decorating the table is really important. You might choose a full linen set or just an attractive runner. Don’t forget to consider the centerpiece. You might enjoy some fresh flowers on the table, but a hayfever sufferer would not. Silk flowers can be just as beautiful. Why not try an elegant candelabra? Will you be using bespoke place cards? These can be a lovely personal touch. Prop them against a napkin swan, and you’ve got yourself a gorgeous looking dining table.
Select Foods
Once you’ve chosen your menus and purchased your ingredients, it’s time to cook. Try to have as many of the dishes ready and prepared before your guests arrive. You can keep food warm on a hot plate or low heat on the hob. If you’ve chosen caviar from somewhere like www.citarella.com/shop/caviar, check the website to see serving suggestions and best temperature. Lobster can be a wonderful dish to serve. Again, you will need special serving plates and utensils. Set the table for these and provide extra napkins just in case!
Glassware
The presentation is really important when you’re hosting a dinner party. Choose glassware if possible. It looks really elegant and helps display the food beautifully. Glassware is important for drinks too. You can even serve coffee in cute little coffee glasses. Pick a wine that is high quality. Reds, whites, and rose wines can all accompany the various dishes you choose. If you have a glass jug, fill it with ice and slices of lemon before adding the drinking water.
Dinner parties are great fun. You can add some background music to help set the mood and create a good atmosphere. Let the scents from the cooking waft around and invoke a good appetite in all your guests. There is no need to rush from course to course. Enjoy the conversation. Dim the lights, light the candles, and enjoy a delicious meal with friends.
This is such a nice set up, it really makes dinner that much more fancy. My husband and I are celebrating our anniversary soon and I would love to have a spread like this.
My family is just making thanksgiving plans! These tis and tricks are so great right now.
Dinner parties are so much fun when you’re prepared. It’s been too long since we’ve hosted one. Love all these delights.
We don’t do “elegant” entertaining, we’re far more casual. The husband would love that lobster and vegetables though.
I love dinner parties. We usually don’t go quite so fancy, but occasionally we’ll bust out “the good” dishes and do something like this. That lobster looks amazing.
OMG…… the lobster !!!! So delicious and great dinner parties!!! I love this party!!!