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A dinner party involves a bit more planning when it comes to the menu. Most other parties have a simpler menu consisting primarily of appetizers, finger foods, and snacks. A dinner party includes an entire meal which requires some forethought.
A dinner party usually has a smaller guest list than other types of parties. Plan your guest list making certain you have sufficient space to accommodate everyone comfortably. Guest should be able to easily maneuver to and from the table.
When planning the menu and cocktails, keep things as simple as possible. If you are hosting an outdoor barbecue, wine and beer are usually sufficient cocktail offerings. Do as much preparation ahead of time as possible. Plan the menu carefully. You do not want to spend the entire party standing over a smoking grill. Consider foods that can be cooked earlier in the day and reheated.
Consider having some items catered. Catering does not necessarily mean you have to hire a full fledged catering service. There are many restaurants that offer larger portions of items that can be ordered ahead of time and picked up on the day of the event. If you are hosting an outdoor barbecue, consider ordering ribs and chopped meat, baked beans, coleslaw, and barbecue bread.
You might also consider purchasing chopped meat and providing buns to make barbecue sandwiches. Crock pots are great ideas for keeping prepared foods warmed, freeing you up to enjoy the party more.
A formal style dinner party will require a bit more effort. You will need an elegant table setting with a centerpiece. You will need proper dishware and serving accessories. You will also need formal napkins and glassware. Plan the dinner in courses, and be sure to make menu selections that are tasteful, but not overly complicated. You do not want to try a new recipe that you have never cooked before on the night of the dinner party. Select tried and true menu items that you are comfortable preparing for others.
If hosting the party and preparing the food seems to be too much for you, ask family members to help or considering hiring a caterer. If a caterer is simply not in your budget, consider alternatives such as ordering from a restaurant. There are many dishes that can be prepared in advance that are acceptable dinner party fare. Homemade lasagna can be prepared and refrigerated. Thirty minutes before the meal is to be served, place the lasagna in the oven to cook, prepare garlic bread, and make a green salad.
Keep it simple when selecting appetizers and cocktails to serve as guests arrive. Beer and wine are acceptable cocktail offerings and only require chilling of the beverages beforehand.
It is important that the party host or hostess is relaxed and organized on the evening of the dinner party. Guests will notice if you are stressed and it will make them uncomfortable. Plan everything in advance and make practical decisions when making menu selections. With a bit of planning ahead of time, your dinner party will be a memorable affair with good food, fun, and fellowship. Enjoy!
Brady Smith is a party planning enthusiast. For information on dinner party planning, visit http://www.planningpartyideas.com.
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