Inviting friends over for a home cooked meal sounds like a great idea—until it comes time for the meal planning, cooking, and house cleaning that go into hosting a dinner party. Don’t fret, because these simple tips will show you how to host a stress-free gathering and even have enough time for a glass of wine before your guests arrive.
- Be honest about the guest list. Before planning a dinner party, ask yourself whom you really want to invite. Limit your list to only a few people if you live in a smaller place, and try to invite people whom you think would get along well.
- Plan the meal in advance. Never leave meal planning and shopping until the day before. Browse recipes about a week in advance, and go shopping a few days before. This leaves the day of the party for you to cook and prepare your home.
- Set a comfortable table. Make sure that your guests have plenty of napkins, water, and other necessities to limit the time you spend running to the kitchen.
- Enlist some help. There’s no shame in asking a friend to help you host your party—in fact, this could even make it more fun.
How to Prep a Flawless Cocktail Party [My Home Ideas]
101 Party Do’s & Don’ts [House Beautiful]
How to Host a Dinner Party so Everyone Enjoys It [Lettuce Eat Kale]
Do’s and Don’ts of Hosting a Dinner Party [Rue Daily]
CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Phil Hawksworth
