The ancient tradition of the dinner party has always been the most beautiful way of connecting with those you love down through the ages. Some of the greatest ideas, conversations, stories, celebrations and laughs have been around a dining table. A universal practice that tickles all the senses.
The dinner party has never been something we had to think about too much until it was taken away from us. From a milestone birthday party to a friendly get-together, eating and talking with others around a dinner table is something that has been missing in our lives for a while.
It is safe to say that we will never take a get-together in our homes for granted ever again. Now that we are able to reconnect with our friends and loved ones, it is time to start planning the perfect dinner party. From light bites on your kitchen island to a 3-course meal, we want to ensure that your first get together is planned to perfection with every detail covered. Make it a dinner party to remember with these easy tips and tricks.
1. Plan In Advance
Avoid any unnecessary stress by planning your menu in advance. It is best to stick to recipes that you have perfected and tried before. If you don’t fancy yourself as a top chef then you can always order food from a local restaurant. If you are cooking from scratch it is always best to cook as much in advance as possible, this will allow you to be able to relax more as your guests arrive. Let’s not forget the dishes, they are probably the least exciting part of your dinner party, but washing as you go along will prevent a build-up at the end of the evening.
2. Guests Love Nibbles
To keep your guests entertained on arrival it is always best to be armed with some light bites like cheese, crackers, hummus and grapes. You can place them decoratively on a wooden board to layout on your kitchen table for when your guests arrive. It is one of the easiest ways to create an eye-catching display that would be fit for a restaurant. Not only will it keep them entertained while you cook but it looks pretty impressive when it is laid out.
EZ TIP: Load your food board with lots of colours by using herbs, olives, cucumbers, lettuce and berries.
3. Wow Them With An Arrival Drink
Like most of us, your home has not been seen by an outsider in a long time. Which gives you an even bigger reason to pull out all the stops and provide the full restaurant experience. It’s time to take out those fancy glasses that have been gathering dust in the back of your sideboard.
To save time, decide on a drink that you can make in a pitcher to keep in the fridge. Anything from Sangria to Mojitos can be made in advance. Whether you're serving cocktails or mocktails, ensure that you have the garnish presentation perfected, this can include fruit or herbs of your choice that will compliment your recipe.
EZ TIP: Fill your ice cube trays with herbs like mint or small berries and top it off with water to create the prettiest ice cubes for your guests.
4. The Dinner Table Set Up
The main focal point of any dinner party is certainly the food but don’t forget about the main enabler of it all, the dining table. Unless you plan on sitting on the floor, there is no reason why you should not dress up your dining set as best you can. We have all been craving a night out since lockdown to give ourselves an excuse to dress up, maybe your dining table wants to do the same. It is tired of having the same tablecloth or runner on it for the last few months, it wants to have its own night to shine.
Before you start dressing the table it is important that you prepare your dining table for the extra guests. If you have an extendable dining table or extension leaves you can assemble it all in advance. Arrange your extra dining chairs and dining benches if you need to add them. Place a runner or table cloth to protect your dining table. The next step is the centrepiece, you can never go wrong with dried or fresh flowers from your garden or local store. This is the easiest way to provide lots of colours and fresh aromas.
Are the thoughts of taking out the “good” dinnerware making you burst with excitement? An occasion like this calls for the best dinnerware you have. If you decide to go with a formal place setting we have this useful infographic below to guide you. I bet Jack from the Titanic would have loved an infographic like this to guide his way through 1st class.
If you are going for a more casual setting and dining on your kitchen island or bar table, you can create a smaller centrepiece. Setting up a dinner and drinks buffet will allow your guests to help themselves, be sure to add extra bar stools or counter stools to cater for your additional visitors.
5. Set The Ambience
Have you ever walked into a restaurant with no music and the atmosphere was just all wrong? The food may be fit for Jamie Oliver, but don’t let yourself down with a lack of ambience. The first step to a great ambience is the perfect playlist, if you are an AC/DC fan maybe this is best served for another evening. There are some fantastic chilled-out dinner playlists on Spotify that will be sure to create a warm and welcoming mood.
Place warm lighting around your dining room or kitchen area with candles or fairy lights. Dimming your lights can help your guests relax and feel right at home. To make your guests feel comfortable, you can add extra padding or cushions to your dining chairs or dining bench if they are solid wood.
6. Relax & Enjoy
The day you have been waiting for has finally arrived, it is even more important that you stay stress-free, relax and enjoy it. Moments like these are what make life so special. Spending quality time with the ones you love has now become a luxury. It’s a time to eat some great food and make new memories in your home. Enjoy every minute of it.
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