dinner party tips?

**Sara Noel** · 11-25-2007, 09:49 PM

Any tips to make hosting a dinner party/entertaining guests easier and not so much work? What types of things do you do, other than potlucks to make it run smoothly and be less stressful?

**Jamauk** · 11-25-2007, 10:35 PM

I chose my menu carefully - lots of stuff that can be made in advance. If something can't be made ahead of time, I make sure to do all of my prep work (chop veggies, measure/mix spices, seasoning, etc) the day before. If something can be mixed (like a casserole) I do that ahead of time so I just have to pop it in the oven.

I do as much of the work before the guests arrive as possible. That way, not only can I sit and enjoy a glass of wine with them (without being trapped in the kitchen), but when the advance work is done, usually so is the clean up - so we aren't staring at a messy kitchen while we're enjoying our meal.

**TheRootedNomad** · 11-26-2007, 07:31 AM

I 2nd the cook or prep in advance...usually I just have to reheat or pop in the oven

I generally don't do disposable .... cooking for a crowd is the exception. I use the disposable aluminum pans so that I can pitch them if they require more than a "quick" wash.

I do buffett style and use the racks with the sternos under them. I can set it up right before everyone arrives and then do clean up later.

My menus for large groups doesn't change much. I have about three large dinners that I use, and have for years. Some times the sides get changed up, but for the most part these menus have become so much apart of me I could probably do them in my sleep.

**Darlene** · 11-26-2007, 09:04 AM

Besides the above...
~Plan ahead and when it comes to everything, buy more than you think you'll need. No fun running short of something like ice.

~Go with tried and true fav's, this is not the time to be trying something new. All it will do is worry you about the results when you should be relaxing & enjoying your guests.
~Have a plan "B" if you are planning an outdoor affair, the weather really could put a damper on things.
~A week ahead of things go through your home & declutter and deep clean so you only need to do a quick clean just before the party. One less thing to worry about & you know you wanted it done anyway. The party is your incentive to just get it done.
~Delegate others to help with whatever, you don't need to do everything alone.
~Do not worry about everything being perfect, nothing ever is so just relax & enjoy.

**AmyMCGS** · 11-26-2007, 02:06 PM

I beg & borrow extra crockpots from my mom and sister whenever I'm having a large gathering. I put main dishes and side dishes in them as often as possible, to cut way down on my stress level.

**erstbrmom** · 11-29-2007, 03:22 PM

I make all appetizers and finger food for our big crowd. It eliminates the need for silverware and it's easier for those eating while they stand up. I make as much as I can the day before so it's a matter of plating the food before the guests arrive. It's fun just to walk around nibbling and talking with family.

**Libby** · 11-29-2007, 07:15 PM

LISTS!!!!! List of lists!!!

Treat it like a countown.

Seriously - I make a plan for the week in advance down to a T if I can. Its a bit AR if you ask me (AR = anal retentive) but it does help for big to do's or events. You ARE the host and know how comfortable you'll feel if others were to help themselves through your cupboards OR see your house with misplaced boxes, misc clutter etc....its your judgement call. This plan is adaptable to your needs.

Day 7 - menu plan & approximate # of guests - confirm attendance/rsvp's etc

Day 6 - tackle the big chores - plan your food stations, re-rearrange furniture if necessary, ask to borrow extra folding tables and chairs etc

Day 5 - clean the kitchen and bathrooms, pick up and put things in their propper place, dust/run the vaccuum

Day 4 - finish cleaning if necessary and revisit the menu plan to make sure you've captured everything and finalize the grocery list. plan for the kids to be elsewhere if they're not allowed to be at the party

Day 3 - grocery shop, buy the booze etc start prep if possible

Day 2 - all food prep possible, lay out dishes, cups, cutlery etc (ie: meatballs on the dining table, chips on the coffee table, drink station in the kitchen etc)

Day 1 - final visual check of the 'cleanliness' status of the house so that you're happy with it. start heating food, chill drinks, lay them out in their propper homes (spots where you want the food to be) then sit back and enjoy!

**esther25** · 12-03-2007, 03:52 AM

Before 2days I cleaned my house well. And that decide the dinner menu, and purchase everything oneday before. Help of oven I make something. Morning I will prepare all kind of dinner Items, and clean the kitchen. At that time of dinner I will heat with the help of oven.

**t'rose** · 12-03-2007, 12:00 PM

The first guests to arrive always feel like they need to do something. Put them to work. Maybe it will be filling the ice buckets or directing later arrivals to parking or putting music on. That keeps them out from underfoot while you are dashing around, and you'll be a lot calmer.

And if I find that I am short of something, whether because a guest showed up with something that needs little disposable bowls or flowers that need a vase or perhaps a light blows out on the porch, I have no problem delegating a cooperative guest to handle it. Give them money and directions to the store, or send them searching through your garage, or tell them where the step ladder is. As long as you know the person's abilities, it's rarely a problem. I might even tell them to take my car.

Whatever can be plated ahead of time is a timesaver. Salads and desserts usually can be plated, and then covered until time to serve.

If someone brings something that you really can't use for some reason (like roses and you're allergic?) be gracious and decisive. Select someone to handle them in a way you can tolerate. It serves no one for you to be uncomfortable. Once someone brought icecream to a finger foods barbecue. We set it in the freezer until the clean up after the BBQ. The crowd was much smaller and the voluntary helpers enjoyed it in my mismatched bowls.

**nancycg56** · 12-03-2007, 01:40 PM

DH and I entertain on a regular basis and we just had our Christmas party this past Saturday...here's some of what helped me out as we had a terrible week here in our house:

I month ahead I planned my menu and DH designed the invitation...since it's the holidays, we sent it out the first week of November so people could plan.

We are very casual entertainers and we rarely ask anyone to RSVP but this time we did and I based the amount of appetizers and desserts on that number.

Many people wanted to bring something so I let them choose an appetizer or dessert and that meant less cooking for me.

The week before the party I cleaned the house and did my grocery shopping.

The day before, I did as much food preparation as I could and I got about 95% of it done them. I also set the table and got out my Christmas dishes and serving pieces and washed and dried them.

On the day of the party, we:

went out to breakfast
went shopping for wine, beer, soda
did what food prep needed to be done
DH raked up leaves and did any outside work that needed to be done
Got the crockpots going with party meatballs and bourbon dogs
we were able to relax for a few hours before the party (YAY!)

About 1 1/2 hours before the party started, I heated up the oven and baked those appetizers that needed baking.

On Sunday of last week my dog was diagnosed with a brain tumor and he died on Monday. We really considered canceling the whole party because we were so upset but decided that maybe it would help and I am glad we didn't cancel. It wasn't the best week ever but we had a good time. It helped that I was so busy.

Here is my menu if anyone wants to look at it: http://www.recipezaar.com/menu/10217

**stinkbug** · 12-03-2007, 05:26 PM

People may disagree with me, but I rent plates! They are relatively cheap (.25-.40 each) and make it easy for people if they are standing up with their food, or sitting without a table. I rent 12" white plates for Dh's Christmas party every year. It is just soooo much nicer, and not adding a bunch of garbage. A lot of people comment on how nice it is not to eat off of paper, especially if there is a lot of gooey food!

**thriftstorequeen** · 12-03-2007, 06:55 PM

I really like and use real plates, silverware and cloth napkins. I got a couple of sets of dishes fairly cheap a few years ago. they go with my good china. they came with flatware too! I also picked up a set of flatware in a chest a few yrs back in an after Christmas sale. I have an assortment of cloth napkins that I get from my local thrift store. We use them everyday. You guys are making me want to have a dinner party. Maybe I'll plan and host one!