Ensure That Your Home Is Dinner Party Ready
Inviting friends and family over for a meal can seem a little daunting, as you want everyone to have fun, and leave with full stomachs, hoping to return soon. However, if you take some time to plan and prepare ahead of time, your dream dinner party doesn’t have to fill you with dread, and you’ll have a memorable evening that everyone will enjoy.
Image source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/green-salad-on-white-plate-near-grilled-potatoes-on-brown-table-8313/
Set The Table
Plates, cutlery, and glassware can all have an effect on the overall mood and ambiance of an evening, so it’s worth investing in tableware that will look stylish, and stand the test of time. Consider purchasing pieces in the seasonal sales, and you’ll pay a fraction of the cost for items that will give your dining table the wow factor.
It’s the little touches that can make all the difference; so light a few candles, throw down a tablecloth, and add some matching napkins (who knew you could be so fancy) for an evening to remember. If you want to go one step further; placenames, napkin rings, and small gifts on each plate will take your dinner party from casual get together, to dining at a Michelin star restaurant before you can say amuse bouche!
Invest In The Dining Area
It would be a shame to put all that effort into what goes on top of your table, then for your dining table and chairs to let you down. Furniture is always a big investment, as you want it to last for years and also look aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, you should take your time and do your research before buying what’s right for your family home. If you’re a little stuck for ideas, you can check out the stylish collection by Lexington and choose a timeless classic, that you’ll be proud to seat your guests around.
Lighting is also a contributing factor to the feel of a space, so think about if your ceiling, floor, and wall lamps could use updating. Or perhaps you could install a dimmer switch, which will give your dining space versatility so that it can suit any occasion.
Bring On The Food
Now, it’s what everyone has been waiting for; the food. You don’t want to have created the perfect dining environment, only to be let down by what you’re eating. Stick to cooking something you know that you can do well; your dinner party is a terrible time to attempt your first souffle, so try to pick meals that you’ve cooked and enjoyed before.
Maybe you’re a BBQ expert, or your Mexican recipes are second to none; if your guests appreciate the food, they won’t care that it’s not six courses and doesn’t have a finicky presentation, they’re there to eat and enjoy your company. If you’re worried about filling people up, then add a bread basket to the table, and give people nuts and potato chips to nibble on beforehand (serve these in a bowl, don’t just hand out packets).
Making it a BYOB evening will alleviate the cost of buying alcohol, and you’ll know that everyone is drinking their preferred beverage, which will take a lot of stress away from the night ahead. Now, get the food to the table, sit down, and enjoy catching up with all your guests; you’ve done great.