Tips on Hosting a Dinner Party
A dinner party is an occasion everyone looks forward to for having a good time with friends and family. However for the hosts of the dinner party the experience of arranging a party is far from pleasant. The host is often lost in between choosing the perfect china, cutlery, arrangement of furniture, delivery of party beverages, snacks and the last minute preparations. Since we all want our dinner parties to be perfect, the china, cutlery and furniture need to be glamorized for the fun-filled evening ahead.
However remembering a few tips while prepping for a dinner party will ensure the success of the party and have guests raving about the party for months to come.
Planning:
Planning for a dinner party and the items required is always essential. Delivery forms an essential part of the plan. Rather than running out to the local grocery store or party supplies store you ask for a home delivery to save on time and effort. Make a list of the items you need and prioritize their delivery according to their perishability. The items which spoil easily can be delivered on the day of the party while others can be purchased in advance.
Things to do:
Planning for a party is all about making lists and then sticking to the lists to get everything done. Hence make a list for the things that need to be done every day and check them off once completed. Start with a list of the guests to invite followed with a list of confirmed guests, lists of food items to order and have a delivery arranged and finally the list about the last minute preparations required before the party begins. There are many simple to use online tools for this. A couple of good ones are Trello, Wunderlist, and list or note app that comes with your phone.
Guest List:
Organizing your guest list is one of the most important things to do, while planning a dinner party. Having a number for the guests attending the party will help you decide on the quantity of supplies you need to purchase. Hence your guest list should be ideally finalized at least 2-3 weeks before the party. The finalized guest list will also give you a fair idea about the seating arrangements required. For this you can create a Facebook event or use evite.com.
Guests:
Initial invitations for your dinner party might be over the phone, online, or you might have invitation cards sent out. But always remember to contact the guests and have them confirm their attendance. This will save on the efforts of arrangements and costs of extra supplies. But always make arrangements for 3-5 extra guests so that at the last minute you are not left fumbling for an extra chair, china or cutlery.
Supplies:
Stocking up on the supplies, starting at least a month ahead is always advised. Arrangement items like napkins, packaged snacks, alcohol, and beverages can always be bought in advance. Ordering for flower arrangements can also be done at least 15 days prior to the dinner party. This will save you the stress and effort of having to make the orders and purchases along with the food items on the last day.
Always remember that to host a successful party the key is being prepared with the necessary supplies and requirements.