HOSTING THE PERFECT DINNER PARTY

Adinner party can either be the highlight of one’s week, being talked about and remembered for months (sometimes even years) to come, or an embarrassing debacle bringing shame to the host. The determining factor, simply put, is preparation. There are several factors that are involved in the preparation and creation of the perfect dinner party experience, and each of them are as important as the other. The following is an exploration of a few of these elements.

THEME - Whether it is a holiday get-together, a celebratory occasion, or simply an event centered around enjoying the company of friends or family, every dinner party has to include a central theme. The theme of your dinner party will dictate such essential decisions as who to invite, what will be on the menu, what the entertainment will be, and how you decorate or dress your home. For example, will you be hosting a summer pool party that will include throwing a few of your favorite foods on the grill? Will your event be a Salsa dance party including a band or a DJ? These types of considerations are imperative to the integrity of the itinerary that you have planned for your guests, and also serve to maintain the overall consistency of your dinner party.

MENU - Once a host has determined the theme of the dinner party, all other factors fall into place almost seamlessly. Not the least of which would be the menu. Before selecting which items to put on the menu, a host should consider whether they want their event to be catered, or if they are going to do all of the food preparation themselves. Also, being a good host includes being mindful of any food restrictions or allergens that may affect your guests, and incorporating these considerations into your menu. Providing alternatives such as a vegan option may help your event feel more inclusive, and in turn make your guests feel more comfortable, as well as avoiding any health issues that may arise otherwise.

DRINKS - The drinks that you provide for your guest should be a direct reflection of your theme and should also incorporate as many guest considerations as your food menu does. It is reasonable to believe that not everyone at your dinner party will be a drinker of alcoholic beverages, therefore you should provide beverage alternatives such as non-alcoholic beer or virgin cocktails. For those who do drink, it is prudent to have an assortment of dark and light liquor, red and white wine, or a sparkling wine depending on the theme. Another decision to make is whether or not to have an open bar or to give your guests a self-serve option. For an intimate gathering, the selfserve option may fare best, while an open bar would better suit a larger gathering.

ENTERTAINMENT - Entertaining your guests with music (played by either a DJ, a live entertainer or a band), or with games of human interaction, can serve to create an atmosphere of engagement and enjoyment. The entertainment can be a catalyst by which guests can learn more about each other, while creating an ice-breaker environment for those who do not know each other at all. Whatever you choose as your entertainment, it will give all of your attendees the same focal point and ensure that they all have a great deal of fun, while giving them something to talk about later.

Whether formal or casual, intimate or large, family or friends, there are many factors that are involved in pulling off the perfect dinner event. Once you decide on theme, menu, drinks, and entertainment, the rest of the details seem to become non-stressors.