How to Host a Simple Dinner Party Like a Pro {In 5 Easy Steps}
I’ve thought long and hard about my mission for starting Food & Friends, and no matter where my thoughts go they always come back to community and connection. To me, the best way to bring people together is around food. Food & Friends was born from my passion for creating connections with friends through food.
What is a dinner party?
The definition of a dinner party is a social occasion at which guests eat dinner together. That’s literally it. Nowhere does it say what type of dinner you have to serve, how many people you have to invite, or where it has to take place. Everything else we have made up for ourselves, and in most cases these made-up ideals hinder us from doing what used to be second nature: gathering together.
One of the best ways to bring people together is through simple dinner parties so my main goal for Hosting 101 is to teach you that hosting does not have to be hard or complicated. It shouldn’t be stressful and overwhelming, it should be joyful and EASY.
Yep, I said easy! I’m sure that’s not the first thing that comes to mind. Most people decide NOT to host because they think it isn’t easy, but I truly believe it can be. Whether this is your first dinner party or you’ve hosted many parties, in order for your guests to have a good time and for you to enjoy the gathering yourself, we must simplify the process.
Trust me though, I didn’t always know this, in fact, I had to learn it. Now I’m here to teach how to host a simple dinner party like a pro by learning from my mistakes.
1. Decide on the guest list and pick a date.
If you’re new to hosting start small and work your way up. A dinner party doesn’t need to be big. I would argue that smaller is better. When you have more than 8 or 10 guests conversation tends to be harder, and isn’t that the whole point of the party? Just close friends or immediate family is plenty.
Email or text out dinner party invitations two weeks to a month in advance depending on your comfort level and group dynamics. No general rule of thumb here, just give guests enough time to plan ahead.
2. Create a menu for food and drinks.
If you’ve never cooked for a group, now is not the time to try a new recipe. Opt for a recipe you know and love, or heck, just order takeout! I love to pick one recipe or item to make homemade – usually the main course – and purchase the rest of the menu or side dishes. This is a great way to make your kitchen smell delicious while also keeping it simple. And you may be surprised that this puts others at ease and gives them permission to let go of the idea of perfection. You just might give someone else the courage to host a party for the first time.
You may know all of your guests well enough to know if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. If I am unsure I always ask in advance and will try to provide a dish to accommodate those needs, whether it is homemade or purchased.
Are cocktails your thing? Go ahead and make a big batch of your signature cocktail. This is always a fun party idea! If you’re not an avid mixologist, it’s probably a good idea to stick with a few simple beer, wine and non-alcoholic options.
3. Decorate the dinner table.
I think one of the things that people get most hung up on is the decor. If you take nothing away from this post, hear this: stop overthinking it. It’s really not that important. A bouquet of fresh flowers from Trader Joe’s or some greenery you pick from the yard will do the trick. Although I love a good table setting as much as the next person, the good news is no one will remember your table, I promise.
For dinner plates, cups, serving ware, etc – you do you. Sometimes I serve using my everyday plates and serving ware, but sometimes I go disposable. If I’m feeling fancy I may grab a new set of dishes from the dollar store. Don’t sleep on the dollar store because they have some nice (and obviously affordable) dinnerware!
4. Set the scene.
Light a few scented candles or diffuse some essential oils to make your home feel inviting and cozy.
Don’t forget to turn down the room temperature a few degrees several hours before the party. It’s always warmer than you think it will be when you add multiple people to a room.
A good playlist is essential in my opinion because no one wants to sit in silence. Make a quick Spotify playlist you think will match the vibe you’re trying to create. Pro tip: Just make sure you have enough music added to the playlist so that you don’t have to bother with changing it in the middle of your party.
Make sure to check your common areas and fill up any hands soaps, toilet paper and replace hand towels with clean ones.
5. Don’t forget the conversation.
If a cool dinner party theme and fun games are in your comfort zone, go for it! If not, I suggest having some conversation starters, cards, or questions on hand to keep the conversation flowing. I know that sounds a little corny, but trust me, conversation cards are so fun and can really spark great conversation. No one enjoys awkward silence!
Bonus Tip:
The last thing you may want to think about is your party’s end time. In my experience, most dinners come to a natural end, but if you want to make sure things don’t go too late plan to offer coffee when you’re ready for the party to wind down and subtly start collecting trash and dishes. Your people will get the kind hint!
Let’s recap.
Repeat after me: “It’s not about good food.” “It’s not about the perfect menu or guest list.” “It’s not about the dress code.” It’s not even about your beautiful dining table.” It’s about creating a memorable dinner party not for those reasons, but because of the relationships formed or grown and the quality time you spent together.
Now I will send you out into the world…Go make a quick list of potential guests, choose a date, and text out those invites. Don’t wait for a special occasion to start. Use these simple tips to throw your next dinner party and everyone will be asking when the next one is!
If you’re a new host, I hope you enjoy your very first dinner party. If you are a seasoned host, I hope you enjoy your very first stress-free dinner party. No matter the menu, the location, or the playlist, you will have a successful dinner party if you bring people together in an authentic and genuine way.
What is your “why” for wanting to gather friends together? Read more about my “why” here.
Cheers!
