The Layperson's Guide To Hosting A Sophisticated Dinner Party
The basic elements of dinner parties aren't difficult to execute: It isn't challenging to invite people over for food, and putting tasty treats on your table tends to be equally straightforward. However, many dinner party hosts don't want to enjoy just any gathering of good friends and good food; they want their event to be stylish, mature, and cultured – they want a sophisticated dinner party.
Elegant and tasteful affairs are dramatically more complex, requiring great attention to detail and diligence in every decision. Because not everyone was raised in a sophisticated setting, many prospective hosts aren't certain how to create the urbane atmosphere necessary for their envisioned event. If you aren't sure how, but aspire to host noble dinner parties, this guide is for you.
Step 1: Curate Sophisticated Friends
The most important ingredient of a sophisticated dinner party is the guest list. You should only invite people you are certain will take the night seriously, won't behave crassly or without culture, and will mix well with one another. That last point is perhaps most crucial of all: The primary goal of any dinner party, sophisticated or simple, should be enjoyment, and bringing together people who have little in common or who won't get along is a recipe for awkwardness at best and hostility at worst. You must carefully consider each invitee's habits, interests, and gifts before putting him or her on the guest list.
Step 2: Organize Sophisticated Food
It is possible to have a sophisticated gathering with barbecue ribs and hamburgers – but that requires advanced-level organizing. Instead, your first fancy dinner party should feature fancy food. It is easy enough to dress up well-cooked beef with interesting sides, like shredded Brussels sprouts or domino potatoes, but you might also try out recipes with foreign flavors. Moroccan food is particularly good for dinner parties because you can prepare it beforehand and let it simmer while you mingle. You might also consider crafting a signature beverage and laying out some menu-appropriate appetizers. No matter what you choose, you should practice preparing the menu a few times before the big night, so you won't have any embarrassing food-related surprises.
Step 3: Assemble Sophisticated Décor
If your home isn't an inherently sophisticated place, you don't need to spend a fortune renovating and redecorating for the sake of one dinner party, but you should strive to add sophisticated touches your guests will notice. For example, every item on your table should coordinate, creating tasteful decoration that reflects your evening's atmosphere. You should consider acquiring some Match pewter, which can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion, making it useful for other gatherings. Additionally, fresh flower displays are a relatively inexpensive and impermanent way to add color and life to your scene.
Small changes can have big effects. Even dimming the lighting and playing classy music might be enough to set the right mood. You can pick up albums by the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Thievery Corporation, or Bajofondo Tango Club for appropriately lively and ambient tunes.
Step 4: Practice Sophisticated Speech
If all you talk about is the newest episode of "Wipeout," your night won't feel very high-brow to your guests. Fortunately, it isn't difficult to master the art of sophisticated speech. First, you should learn what topics are best for civilized conversation:
- Books, movies, plays, and other cultural media you've consumed
- Events or exhibits you've attended or hope to attend
- Places you've traveled and your experiences there
- Political movements and some current events
Then, you should know what topics to avoid at all costs:
- Attendees' salaries or expenses
- Bodily functions and minor health troubles
- Coarse language and vulgar stories
You can try to bolster your vocabulary with 10-point words, but the content of your conversations is by far what people will remember about your dinner party – if it is a success.
Step 5: Be More Than Sophisticated
Ultimately, sophistication isn't necessarily about how you talk, what you eat, and what your house looks like. The most sophisticated thing you can do is relax and enjoy your dinner party when it finally occurs. Planning the perfect gathering can be incredibly stressful, but you should remember that you can't control anyone else's behavior and attitude but your own. By setting an example for your guests – looking cool and nonchalant – your party will be a sophisticated success.