Top Tips for Planning a Dinner Party
There are several things to keep in mind when hosting an event in your home to ensure that your guests have a pleasant and memorable experience.
The first deals with menu planning. Be sure you've checked with your guests concerning any possible food allergies, whether they are vegetarians, and their food preferences. You'd hate to serve salmon to someone who detests fish! And serving nuts to a guest with an allergy to them could cause a reaction, and possibly a serious medical problem.
Plan a do-ahead menu, with minimal last-minute preparation, so that you can be a guest at your own party! Prepare one or more dishes a day or two ahead. Your guests will be more relaxed if the hostess doesn't spend the evening in the kitchen, and you'll enjoy it, too. Spending time with your guests is every bit as important as serving them a delicious meal and providing an inviting environment!
Consideration should also be given to the table decor. Using flowers or candles with a very strong smell can actually compete with the flavor of the food, or even irritate a guest who has a sensitivity to smell. For instance, star lilies in a centerpiece for the dining room might be inadvisable because of their intense aroma, although they may work in a centerpiece for an outdoor table. To be safe, use unscented candles and fragrance-free flowers.
A beautiful and enchanting centerpiece can become an impediment if the height prevents your guests from seeing over it. Be sure to keep your centerpiece at a maximum height of 16" to keep the conversation flowing!
When making a fresh flower arrangement for your table, be sure to strip all leaves and thorns off flower stems that will be under water to keep bacteria from growing. I have found that if I keep an arrangement in the refrigerator and change the water every few days, a centerpiece can last a few weeks (especially roses).
Don't underestimate the time it takes to set the perfect table. If you set the table the day before your event, you'll have plenty of time to look at it several times and make any necessary adjustments to it.
Letting your guests serve themselves from a buffet table will allow them to choose the dishes and the size portion that suits them, and food is less likely to be wasted. They'll also be more comfortable going back for seconds! However, rather than stacking the dinner plates, napkins and silverware on the buffet table, setting the dinner tables with them will create a more beautiful atmosphere.
Cat Morgan loves to find Home Entertaining Ideas on the Internet. One of her favorite sites has lots of party ideas, including complete menu plans for entertaining at home, centerpieces and table settings, and more at SimplyEntertainingAtHome com
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