As a kid, did you ever fantasize about being a ‘grown up’ and hosting dinner parties? The kind of image that you might have conjured up might have looked a little like people dancing in a fancy home, with everyone wearing all the fancy clothes, and sipping on drinks. If this sounds familiar, then you might have been someone that enjoyed Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and loved all things Ms. Golightly. The reality is, dinner parties can look like that if you want them to, but there are so many more ways to keep things simple, affordable, yet classy. If you need help getting started with hosting a dinner party, then here are some tips to help you, however you imagine your dinner parties looking like.
- It is such a good idea to use trusted, make-ahead recipes, and ones that you have already made at least once. If you want to try something new, then a few weeks before is the time to experiment; not on the night in question.
- It is also a good idea to incorporate make-ahead dishes that are going to reheat well. For example, a stew is something that gets better and better, the longer it is left. Something like a lasagna or enchiladas are always crowd-pleasers. The key to a good dinner party, that isn’t stressful, is to make sure that you steer clear from complicated meals that will mean you have to be in the kitchen when guests are arriving.
- Pairing your drinks is a really simple thing, but it can make the food taste better, and gives your party that level of class. A good wine store should have people that can give you recommendations of what will work best. For example, a bottle of parducci pinot noir, a medium-bodied red wine, would work best with red meats, pork, and grilled salmon. For a chicken dish, a white wine is usually better. So pair your drinks, and you’ve got an instant winner.
- When you invite people over for dinner, the majority of people are going to ask you what they should bring. But make sure that you take them up on it. It isn’t rude; it is totally expected. You could delegate out to them a specific drink to buy, as that can be quite simple, or just something like a box of chocolates. You can never have too many desserts, drinks, or salads.
- As well as the food, you will have to think about the table setting. There is no need to go all, unless you want to, of course. But there are some simple things that could be done, like picking fresh herbs or edible flowers from your garden, that can be used at the table, as well as for garnishes. It can bring in something that is low-key but really quite natural and stylish. As for the table settings, they don’t have to all match, unless you want them to. Sometimes a cacophony of different styles can actually come together beautifully when it is meant intentionally.