Dinner parties have long been integral to social, political, cultural life. From ancient Roman dinner banquets to America’s Thanksgiving holiday, the dinner party remains our most popular party meal.
Do you want to host a dinner party? Read on for some simple ideas to keep your hosting stress low and your social enjoyment high.
Go Digital With Your Invites
Digital invites have many benefits and are a great strategy to stay organized. You’ll need a quick and easy way to know who is coming, going, or dropping in/out at the last moment.
There are many digital invite tools you can use, including:
- Invitation apps
- Group chat functions
- Email calendars
- Social media events
You can still casually invite co-workers during coffee breaks or send fancy paper invitations to your in-laws. But make sure to follow up with digital invitations for them to R.S.V.P and keep track of key dinner party details, like times, special parking considerations, and dietary restrictions.
Keep Track of Any Special Menu Restrictions
It’s crucial for your dinner party’s success to plan your food beverages around any dietary restrictions. There are several reasons people will avoid certain food and drinks:
- Allergies
- Religious doctrine
- Ethical considerations (meat or exploited labor products)
- Medical constraints (Celiac disease, diabetes, lactose intolerance, etc.)
- Special health diets
You don’t want to send your guests to the hospital with severe allergic reactions. You also want them to enjoy their meal without feeling awkward, offended, or guilty.
You can add dietary restrictions and preferences to your digital invites. It will help minimize slip-ups and forgetfulness.
Brush Up on Fine Wines and Other Alcoholic Beverages
Dinner drinks are one of the best perks of dinner parties. Everyone enjoys delicious alcoholic beverages that don’t drain their wallet. Popular drinks include:
- Fine wines
- Craft beers
- Pitcher or punch drinks
- Ciders
- Cocktails
- Liqueurs
- Martinis
You can take your dinner party from meh to remarkable by putting a little extra effort into the food and alcohol coordination. For example, you can serve fine wine pairings such as gourmet cheese or chocolate for your appetizer rounds.
If you don’t know much about fine wines, there are resources to help. Wine experts and enthusiasts like Kings Of Wine are ready to share all their knowledge and experience with you.
Add a Unique Dinner Party Ambience
There are universal ambiance tips for any dinner party:
- Soft lighting
- Clean dining area
- Aesthetic table setting
- Background music
- Coordinated decorations
If you really want to make a memorable dinner party experience, however, you can use unique dinnerware sets. With special dinnerware, you won’t break the bank on fancy extras. You’ll also give your delicious food and beverages a visual boost.
If you need ideas, Pinterest has a wealth of unique dinnerware sets to browse. Online stores like Anthropologie, Etsy, and Wayfair also offer unique, elegant, and specialty dinnerware selections.
Start Sending Your Dinner Party Invites
Keeping your guests organized and happy doesn’t have to be stressful. Your next dinner party can be a fun and memorable experience with just a few simple ideas.
If you still need food and beverage ideas, check out more articles in our food sections! Our blog offers tips and tricks from the best cocktails to appetizer recipes. Your next inspiration is just a click away!
