13 Dinner Party Tricks You'll Wish You Knew Sooner
Hosting a dinner party is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. Whether you are celebrating an event or simply using it as an excuse to get together, dinner parties are fun for everyone. As the host, though, many unforeseen complications may accompany this fun.
While guests get to show up and enjoy an evening of eating and drinking, it is up to the host to make sure everything goes smoothly, and that can be stressful. But you do not want any anxieties to get in the way of your enjoyment. There are lots of tips and tricks you can use to ease the load and ensure a seamless party for all.
Luckily, by following some key party tips, you'll make sure that the only thing that melts down during the party is the ice and decorative candles. So it's best to check out some party tips and create a game plan before you host your next event.
1. Have a drink station
The first thing you do when guests begin to arrive is offer people a drink. It is a way of welcoming them to the event. But unless you want to be stuck pouring everyone's drink all night instead of finishing up food or socializing, we recommend setting up a self-serve drink station.
This can be as simple as setting out pitchers of cocktails and glasses and allowing guests to pour for themselves. It can also include putting out bottles of wine that pair nicely with the food being offered.
If you want to make things a little fancier, put the ingredients for a cocktail out as well as a note card with the recipe, and let your guests act as their own mixologists for the evening. It will add some entertainment to the night and give guests a freshly made cocktail.
Of course, the drink station does not have to be all alcohol. Remember to put out pitchers of water and perhaps some non-alcoholic drink options such as carbonated beverages or juices.
Not only will a drink station reduce your stress as a host, but it will also cut down on the need for guests to ask for more when they have finished. Just don't forget the ice!
2. Serve appetizers that are easy to hold
Before dinner commences, it is nice to put out appetizers for guests to munch on. Unfortunately, many people fall into the trap of offering foods that require serving or, dare we even say, cutlery in order to eat.
This becomes a hassle for everyone. The guests will find themselves trying to maneuver their plates of food, likely while standing and talking to other people. The host will find more dishes to both setup and clean up, and there may even be some spills along the way.
We know everyone loves a dip, but for larger dinner parties, it's best to save everyone the heartache. If you stick to easy-to-hold dishes such as mini quiche or fruit and nuts, you will eliminate all the problems that come along with serving. Luckily, plenty of appetizers will fit the bill and are sure to leave your guests wanting more, which is precisely what you wish to do when dinner is soon to be served.
3. Outsource some of the cooking
This may be a controversial statement, but to us, there is no shame in outsourcing some of the cooking for the meal. This can look like any number of things, from buying frozen appetizers or sides to putting out some no-cook food options like nuts or pre-sliced cheese, all the way up to having a catering service prepare some or all of the meal. By allowing for some outside help, you are freeing yourself up on the day off to be more present at your event and focus on what you want to be doing.
Costco, for example, offers a large range of small eat options such as pre-packaged charcuterie boards, shrimp cocktails, and wings (via Cheapism). Serving some of these options will not only save you time but will likely also save you some money rather than going a more professional route. It will also allow you to put your resources towards focusing on whatever special dish you are most excited to prepare.
If you want to go all in, there is no shame in ordering substantial amounts of food from a catering service or your local grocery store. Whole Foods offers a wide range of catering options for dinner parties of every size. Going this route can be particularly helpful during the holiday season when everyone is under so much stress already.
4. Use your oven warming drawer
Do you know that drawer under your oven? You know, the one you stick all your extra pans in when you are not using it? Well, that drawer usually has a purpose, and it is one that you will wish you had utilized for all previous dinner parties.
Business Insider reports that while many people do not realize it, that drawer is actually designed to keep food nice and hot. While it will not cook or reheat anything, it will keep it at an ideal temperature. That means while you are busy cycling things in and out of the main oven and getting things ready to serve, instead of letting foods get cold, you can pop them into the oven warming drawer.
We know it is difficult to time everything correctly so that all the food is done at one time. In fact, it is nearly impossible. So take advantage of a tool you likely already have and save yourself the trouble of rewarming food multiple times.
5. Make a plan for serving the food
When you are planning your food, do not just plan what tastes good; also, consider how it is going to be served. For example, if you are hosting a small intimate party, then maybe you can go with something that takes a little more effort to serve, say, a roast that needs to be carved or a fish dish that needs to be individually plated with its sauce.
But if this is the case, you likely do not want side dishes that also need to be prepared just before serving. Additionally, consider what equipment you own. For example, if you only own one ladle, do not plan to make two kinds of chili.
In general, for large parties, we recommend food that is easy to cut and pass around a table family style or can be set up and served on a buffet station. This will prevent you from serving everyone else while being unable to eat your own meal.
Finally, plan for how much food you want to come out at a time. If you plan on sending all the food out at once, then you will need a plan to keep it warm or cold, depending on the item. You may also wish to send food out in parcels. This will mean more work for you, but your oven's warming drawer can do the work of keeping the rest warm.
6. Plan for dietary restrictions
If you are hosting a dinner party, you are clearly planning on feeding people. As such, it is important to think about any possible dietary restrictions your guest might have. This could look like guests being vegan or low carb due either to personal preferences or health concerns.
On the other hand, it could be due to religious reasons or an anaphylactic allergy. Anaphylactic allergies can be life-threatening, and according to the FDA, major food allergens can be found in 90 percent of the food on the market today.
Accommodating dietary restrictions does not mean that all the food has to be catered to one person. It may just mean offering separate entrées. It's also important to ensure that there is no cross-contamination when serving or cooking the food.
If accommodating dietary restrictions becomes an overwhelming task, you can always reach out to the person in question to make a plan. But it is better to know ahead of time so that guests do not show up unable to eat the meal you have painstakingly prepared.
7. Factor in an emergency grocery run
Always expect the unexpected: That way, when it happens, you are prepared. It does not matter how carefully you have prepared your meal. You have made your list and checked it twice. Yet almost inevitably, you will be preparing something the day of, only to discover you are missing a key component.
Sometimes it is not even food. You may discover you are out of napkins or hand soap for the bathroom. Whatever the case may be, if you already have a last-minute emergency grocery store run built into your schedule, it will save you heartache.
If you are picking up a catering order from the grocery store, that may be a good time to plan for one. Or, if you find that you simply can not leave because something is in the oven or needs tending to, keep track of which grocery stores near you deliver. Many will do so within one to two hours. It may cost more money, but it will allow you to get what is needed for your party.
8. Prep food beforehand
Prepare as much food as physically possible the night before. This will save you time on the day of the event, when you will be otherwise occupied preparing for guests or cooking your main meal. It will also help prevent you from being stuck in the kitchen while all of your guests are having a great time in the next room without you.
Food brand Premio suggests a number of ways to prepare food. All good preparation starts with knowing what is on the menu and getting what you need. Once you have all your food, get organized. Cut any items that need to be cut, such as cheese or vegetables. Any items that can be made ahead of time and either frozen or refrigerated should be made ahead of time.
You can also prepare spice blends or ingredients ahead in small containers so that when you are cooking the day of your event, instead of cutting everything and measuring, you can just go down your list of ingredients and add as needed. This will save time and effort and will keep you from dirtying your knives.
9. Include pets in your plan
All plans need to include our furry friends. It is easy to forget about pets when it comes to dinner parties. We get so caught up in the human element we can forget their needs too. However, if you have a pet, make sure you include them in your plan to avoid disasters.
The first thing to consider is whether your pet can reach the food. Whether you have an adventurous cat or a counter-surfing dog, ensure that any food within reach is covered. This will prevent you from losing food and potentially having unexpected vet bills.
You will also want to think about how your animal fits into the plan. Are they good at social gatherings? You may want to set them up in a separate room so they do not get overwhelmed. Or have them stay at a pet hotel or friend's house.
If you do have a friendly and social pup, consider having a pet-friendly party and having some of your friend's dogs over. The Daily Wag recommends doing this only with pets that already know each other. They also recommended adjusting any menu to be more animal safe and building in some playtime for the rambunctious pets.
10. Decorate the night before
Much like prepping food beforehand, it is worth decorating the night before so that you can focus on other things the day of. This means giving everything a quick cleaning and putting up any props or festive decor you may want to set the ambiance. If you are doing a drink station or buffet or setting up a larger table, this is also the ideal time to get those tables ready.
The day of your dinner party is going to be hectic enough. If you find you have trouble getting an extension leaf in your table, you will want time to troubleshoot. You are also likely to find that on the day of, you will not have as much time as you thought you would. You do not want to be stuck deciding between setting up your space or finishing cooking. Setting up beforehand makes sure everything is ready so that you have room to breathe.
11. Choose a dessert that does not require setup
Baked Alaska may look fantastic with its flaming presentation, but if you are having a large dinner party, this elaborate dessert may simply cause you more hassle than it's worth. Instead, we suggest specifically looking for desserts that are easy to grab and do not require setup. That means no ice cream and nothing flambéed. Ideally, look for a dessert that does not require cutting or serving.
Desserts such as cookies or cupcakes are perfect options. Or, if you want something a little less sugary, a fruit and cheese plate can do the trick. Dinner parties often have large meals, which leave guests full. While dessert is always something a good thing to offer, you do not need to feel like guests need a large decadent finish to the night.
They will likely be more than happy with a smaller, easier-to-grab option. Plus, as a bonus, it will cut down on clean-up at the end of the night and will allow you to spend quality time with guests instead of returning to the kitchen to prepare more food.
12. Take a breath
Always remember to slow down and take a breath. Parties are, of course, fun, but they can also be stressful. When throwing a dinner party, it is perfectly normal to get anxious and start to worry. Take a moment and remember that you are doing this to have a good time and enjoy the company of friends.
Experience Life notes that anxiety from hosting parties can come from any number of places, but there are some easy ways to work through them. One is remembering that everything does not have to be perfect. Do not let perfectionism get in the way of a good party.
Those coming over to your space are there because they enjoy your company; they will not mind if the food gets slightly cold or if there is still a pile of books in the corner. While you cannot prepare for every situation, you know that you have prepared as well as possible. Just take a deep breath, and keep going.
13. Save the big cleanup for after
Few things motivate us more to clean than having people over. But try not to get so caught up in cleaning that you go overboard. Do not do your major clean before. It can actually be more beneficial to do your large clean-up after the party ends and your guests have left.
Obviously, tidy up but do not run yourself ragged. Experience Life recommends doing a quick sweep and cleaning up rooms that will be used and then even just closing off the ones that will not be used. This will help keep stress down before the party.
Plus, it is likely your house will be dirtier after a party than it was before. Food may have spilled on floors and upholstery. Shoes likely tracked dirt through the house, and do not even think about the mountain of dishes that will be waiting for you.
More people have likely used your bathroom in the past 24 hours than it has all month. Save your big cleanup for after. Real Homes suggests gathering all your cleaning supplies and tackling clean-ups one by one after the party has ended.