The Christmas holidays are fast approaching, and many of you plan to have dinner parties in your homes. As much as dinner parties are a fun way to enjoy with family and friends, they can be exhaustive. That is especially true of its planning. Most people do not know where to start when planning for a dinner at their homes. While some struggle with a theme for the party, others do not know what to serve. Don’t worry. By the end of this article, you will have all the knowledge you require to plan a perfect dinner for you, your family, and your friends.
A Step-By-Step Guide on Planning a Dinner
- Set a date for the dinner
Setting a date is usually the first step you take any time you plan something in the future. It is not exceptional for a dinner party. Setting a date gives you an idea of how much time you have before the actual date. That allows you to get ready and organize everything so that the dinner goes well without hitches.
- Know whom you are inviting
Who are you inviting? Knowing the people you are inviting helps you get a rough idea of how many people you will expect. At this stage, you can send invitations to people you want to be with. As you send the invitations, you should ask your invitees to respond whether they will make it or not. With that information, you have an exact number of the guests you will be receiving, and the rest of the planning will be easier.
- Plan on drinks and food
Dinner parties are made whole by the presence of food and drinks. The age bracket of your guests will give you a clear direction on the kind of drinks and food to purchase. For example, if your guests are adults past 21, Stella Rosa Royale will be a good choice among the assorted drinks.
Deciding on the menu of the day is also important. You can go by something that you are comfortable preparing or choose to go for something completely different. If you decide to serve a meal that you have never made, read and understand the recipe to get it right. Spatchcock chicken is a great family dinner serving. Why not try it the next time you have guests in your home?
- Decide on the theme
What kind of dinner party do you want? Do you want an outdoor or indoor dinner party? What kind of décor do you want? Will there be entertainment? These are some questions you should ask yourself when choosing a theme for the dinner party. Some people will decide on having a Mexican theme while others want a French picnic. If there is a dress code for your dinner party, remember to highlight that on the dinner invitation cards.
- Go shopping
By the time you are getting to this step, the day for the dinner party is fast approaching. This is the most tasking step. You have to step out of the house and shop around for the best in the market. The shopping will include foodstuff, drinks, and decorating materials. If you do not have enough items to host the number of guests you invited, you might have to buy dinnerware, serving dishes, water glasses, and place mats. Stick to your budget so that you do not incur extra costs. One advantage of planning is that you will not do things in a hurry, which helps with budgeting.
- Prepare the ambiance
One day before the dinner party is when you start doing the final touches. Clean and decorate your home. Guests feel good when they are in a clean and organized place. Remember, people will always have in mind the first impression they get in your home. As you set the table, ensure that you get linens that match your home and compliment the dinner party. You can have a splash of different colors on the table or fresh flowers as a centerpiece. Light plays a major role in such parties. If you love candles, go for a candle-lit dinner. If the party is indoor, ambient lights will light up the room.
sponsored post
Founder & Editor-in-Chief of Pinstripe Magazine. Creative thinker and menswear designer who has been writing articles dedicated to men’s fashion, lifestyle, luxury items, home design, gear, grooming and gadgets since 1998. For info on PinstripeMag, any editorial needs or to contact me please email at marv@pinstripemag.com.
