Party season might be over but that shouldn’t stop you from having loved ones over for some quality time together. As winter well and truly sets in, now is the time to hunker indoors together whist your social calendars remain somewhat empty.
If you’re thinking of hosting a dinner party in your luxury kitchen, there’s so much to look forward to, as well as to prepare. From curating a final guestlist to the art of creating the perfect atmosphere to relax in, here’s all you need to know about hosting a dinner party at home.
Planning
There’s a great deal of planning that goes into a successful dinner party. The most obvious thing that needs to be planned is the food, for which you need to know how many people you’re going to be cooking for. Create a detailed shopping list that includes nibbles, ingredients for the courses and any drinks you want to have alongside too.
Research a few recipes in advance. Some dishes need to be prepared a few days beforehand, so be sure to be on top of all the planning so you are not stressed on the actual day.
Ambience and décor
You want your guests to feel right at home, so pay attention to the ambience and décor that you want to create. If it’s a chilled vibe you’re going for, opt for cosy lighting with informal dining arrangements like a buffet.
For something a little more glamorous for you and your loved ones, add some candles for an extra layer of wow, issue a dress code and unpack the fancy crockery for an evening you won’t forget in a hurry. After dinner, make sure there are plenty of fuzzy blankets for you all to nestle down with.
Entertainment
If you’re the kind of people who like playing some games, make sure you prepare for an evening full of fun with some great entertainment to keep you going into the early hours. From parlour games like Charades to thrilling murder mystery parties and card games, make sure you have it all to hand.
You might even want to indulge in a spot of video gaming. With multi-console games like Mario Kart, you can set up scoreboards and have a friendly competition with your buddies. Mind those banana skins!
Don’t be afraid to ask for help
If the planning and preparation is proving too much, you can always ask everyone to bring a dish! This can create a sense of community and that way you can be safe in the knowledge that your guests’ individual tastes and preferences are being catered for.
