Yahoo Lifestyle The Secret to Hosting an Unforgettable Dinner Party
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Table of Contents
Start Smart
Plan Your Menu
Set the Scene
Delight Guests
Clean Like a Pro
There's nothing quite like gathering around a table with friends and family to share a feast. The thought of putting together a dinner party on your own? Not as heart warming! But we're here to tell you, having people over doesn't have to be overwhelming. With some forethought and a little creativity, you can pull off the dinner party of your dreams—even if you've never organized one before.
Planning a dinner party introduces a whole host of questions: What should I serve? How much should I serve? Will I be cleaning into the wee hours? Ah! But there's good news. Good Housekeeping has a ton of experts (that's them below) who will help you address these questions and many more.
First things first: Spread the word! Send out invitations sooner rather than later. Having a clear idea of the number of guests is key for successful planning. Pick a date, then send out invites via text or use an online party platform like Partiful or Eventbrite. Next up:
Pick a theme. A unifying idea can help bring all the pieces together. For planning purposes, leaning into a concept gives you structure to build around when deciding on a menu, decor and all the other small details. "Shaping an event around a singular theme can be a great way to ease into hosting," says Assistant Food Editor Joy Cho. "The sky's the limit for theme ideas, too! From holidays, pop culture references and random interests to a single ingredient or cuisines, everything's fair game. In the dead of winter, how about a "cozy" theme with chili and IPAs with buffalo-plaid decor? Is it citrus season? Pick a menu, a drink and decor featuring your favorite oranges.
Make a list. After tallying the RSVPs, write a "production list" of ingredients to buy, make-ahead components of recipes and day-of tasks.
The dinner decisions
When thinking about food, first find out if your guests have any strong dislikes or dietary restrictions. "After that, I often ask if they are adventurous eaters to gauge if they'd be willing to try new dishes," says Chief Food Director Kate Merker. "How they answer determines how much flexibility I have with the menu." Then have these strategies in mind:
Keep it simple. Opt for one main, then go with a few sides that complement that dish.
Embrace room-temperature. Choose at least a couple of items that are just as delicious at room temp as they are piping hot. Roasted vegetables are great candidates.
Prep ahead. Stews, soups and saucy sautés can be kept over low heat without drying out. Finish them off with an acid or pinch of herbs to liven 'em back up.
Herby Lentil and Burrata Salad
Sicilian-Style Braciole
Family-Style Risotto
Escarole Salad with Preserved Lemon Vinaigrette
Roasted Broccolini and Mushrooms with Salsa Macha
Q: What drinks should I serve?
Before Dinner: As guests gather, serve aperitifs. These are sips that spark the appetite without getting guests (too) tanked. The easiest is sparkling wine. It's a snap to serve, and it happens to pair well with pre-dinner nibbles like cheese, charcuterie and popcorn. Depending on your budget and number of guests, that could be champagne. For a slightly less expensive option, consider cremant, French sparkling wine made in the champagne method but from outside the namesake region. For an even better value, go farther afield to Spain, which produces cava. This is a delightful sparkling wine made in the methode champenoise but with brighter notes and less of the complex aged flavors that are prized in true champagne.
Or consider spritzes as a low-maintenance aperitif you can set out for guests. There’s a reason this category of drinks is so popular pre-dinner in Italy, France and other parts of Europe. Classic spritzes have a pleasantly bitter profile that stimulates the appetite and they’re usually light and not as high-octane as most cocktails, like margaritas. These fizzy bevs are easy on the host as well because they don’t require much — if any — measuring.
Hugo Spritz
Aperol Spritz Granita
Strawberry Meyer Lemon Spritz
Blood Orange Spritz
Don't forget to have a few nonalcoholic options on hand too.
With the Meal: Plan for around three glasses of wine per guest — some will drink more, others less or none. A standard 750-ml bottle holds five glasses, so for a party for six, here’s the math: (6 x 3) ÷ 5 = 4 bottles. (Always round up!)
After Dinner: Keep the vibes going beyond the meal. Break into the whiskey, brandy, amaro or dessert wine. Brew a batch of coffee or offer shots of espresso. For the non-caff crowd, set out a selection of nice herbal teas.
Once the menu is finalized, focus your energy on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Assemble a beautiful tablescape featuring your perfected table-setting skills and stunning servingware.
Q: I don't have enough matching plates. What should I do?
No worries! All you need is a fun tablecloth to pull everything together. A patterned linen can unify mixed colors and metals, so it’s an easy solution. Invest in some durable cloth napkins too: Not only do they feel fancy and look lovely, but also they can be reused year after year and help you achieve a more cohesive look. For the centerpiece, stick with a low arrangement of flowers or candles so nothing will block table conversation. (Save taller options for a buffet setup or a bar area.)
Time to serve! Here's how to avoid the scramble.
To stay organized, tag each dish with the name of the food that will be cooked and/or served in it (remove the stickers before filling!).
Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou loves a cohesive look whether it’s all from the same collection or a bunch of mix-and-match pieces. "I primarily opt for oven to tableware, so I can either cook in the item and bring straight to the table — which means fewer dishes later! — or I can keep things warm in them," she says. "A lot of cookware, like a Dutch oven or a pretty casserole dish, can also double as serving ware. Materials like cast iron and options with lids help to keep food warmer longer, too." Here are a few favorites:
Serving Ceramics Set
The shape makes these seem handmade (and each ceramic is finished by hand). Plus, so many of the pieces nest, which is key for storage and easy handling.
Weeknight Serving Bowl
Crafted by artisans in Asheville, North Carolina, these wide, shallower bowls come in an array of rich colors. "I love the dark colors and heft of these," says Papantoniou.
Serving Platters
Looking for a chic, oven-friendly option? Check out these ceramic stoneware platters, which feature a scratch-resistant glossy interior.
Open Kitchen Handled Platters
Made of glazed earthenware, this set of three dishwasher-safe platters is designed for long-term durability. Plus, the loop handles make for easy carrying from the counter to table.
$127.95 at williams-sonoma.com
2-Piece Rectangular Baker Set
"These are amongst my favorites. I love being able to cook and serve in them. They clean up well, too," says Papantoniou.
How to welcome guests
Be prepared. Expect your first guests to arrive 15 minutes before the start time, at least. (If no one shows up early, well now you just carved out a few minutes to breathe before everyone comes over.) Set out a few snacks for guests to nibble on — no help needed on your end.
Accept help. Guests who arrive on the earlier side can jump into simple assignments — it'll give folks something to do while they're standing around.
Add finishing touches
Leave a lasting impression with a few thoughtful details.
Prettify Place Settings
For the holidays, place a homemade photo ornament at each seat in lieu of a place card. Christmas crackers are also fun extras!— Lis Engelhart
Fancy Up the Bathroom
Light a candle and fold the toilet paper on the roll to give the restroom an elevated feel guests will remember. — Joy Cho
Curate a Playlist
Pull together a collection of songs that match the vibe you want. Have a record player? Bring out a few vinyl selections.— Eva Bleyer, reviews analyst
Embrace Florals
Pick up fresh flowers from the grocery store, then arrange them in small glasses on your table to enhance the ambience.— Alex Mata, editorial stylist
Don't Forget the Fun!
Keep a deck of cards or a few board games on hand in case the energy dips.— Samantha MacAvoy, assistant food editor
Don't let the evening's mess get ahead of you. Good Housekeeping's cleaning guru, Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forte, shares her top tips for before, during and after the party.
Clean the bathroom.
You can almost bet that every guest will pay a visit to this room at least once during the evening. I absolutely clean the bathroom — including scrubbing the toilet, wiping the mirror and sanitizing all handles.
Focus on the basics.
Trust us, no one will be inspecting your baseboards for dust. But, there are a few things that could use a quick refresh: Straighten up the front entryway to make sure it is clean and uncluttered. Flick on the overhead lights and check that fixtures are clean and free of webs. I also go outside and clean the front porch, mailbox and door area, so they are clean when guests walk up and ring the bell.
Empty the dishwasher.
In the morning, run the dishwasher. Then, before the party starts, put all the clean dishes away. Having an empty dishwasher means you have plenty of room to put in cooking utensils, appetizer plates, and other items as they get dirty — instead of piling them up in the sink.
Run the dishwasher!
Once the dishwasher fills up, I run it, even during dinner or dessert. It's easier (and more energy efficient!) to empty the dishwasher and reload it for a second cycle than it is to wash all the dishes by hand.
Start clean-up before bed.
For post-dinner clean-up, clear off the dining room table and use it to hold glassware or any items you are handwashing that night. You can always put them away the next day and it keeps your kitchen from being cluttered. Take the tablecloth and napkins and put them in the washer to pre-soak overnight with a little water and laundry detergent to keep stains from setting. The next day, start the cycle and finish washing them.
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