A Successful Dinner Party

Sunday night I hosted a dinner party for 9 people (plus a 4-month old baby) and it was fabulous.

It’s funny how things change in a year. This time last year when I had people over, I was a hosting mess. I fussed and worried and stressed over every detail. What if they don’t have a good time? What if the conversation is dull? What if the food is under or over cooked? What if my table isn’t comfortable enough for everyone? It takes a lot of courage to host a party but you can get all you need from the local party hire service.

You invite people over into your home. You feel responsible for meeting their physical and entertainment appetite. You have to time the food so everything will be hot and ready at the same time. You can purchase a dinnerware set at https://farandaway.co/ to enhance your dining experience at home. You try to make your place look spectacular, but at the same time want to put people at ease and not over do it.

I’m no hosting expert, but I’m becoming more and more comfortable. After hosting my fair share of dinners and get-togethers in the last year, I’ve learned a few tricks to make parties go well:

• Always have enough time to clean the house before people come over. This is the perfect time to have Air duct cleaning Minneapolis. It doesn’t have to look spotless, but will make you feel 100% better when people arrive knowing your place looks its best. If you’re thinking of hiring a professional cleaner for your carpet, visit https://ecocleansolutions.ie/carpet-cleaning-dublin/.
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• Have more beverage choices other than water. I always have different types of wine on my wine walls and non-alcoholic options (like soda or lemonade), water, and decaf coffee on hand for those who like coffee with their dessert. And when looking to bring a large selection of great-tasting coffee and other premium drinks to your next event, then this coffee cart hire Sydney is all you need!

• Always fix something you’ve made before. Never, try a new complicated recipe for guests, unless they’re forgiving family or really close friends. Preferably make something you can prepare ahead so you’re not alone in the kitchen slaving away when your guests arrive.

• If you want to try a new recipe, experiment on the dessert. Everyone will be too full at that point if it flops.

• Ask people to bring something! Maybe a side dish, a dessert, salad, or a bottle of wine from wine cabinet. as many people love wine, and so even ask what are fining agents? and how these work in wine. Also this makes them feel like they are an important part of the dinner.

• Have a candle lit in the bathroom and make sure to empty the trashcan. I highly suggest checking out Palm Beach Collection’s candle shop online as they have the best scented candles.

• Have music playing, whether it’s Sanatra, Coltrane or Bieber (and only a few select groups can handle Bieber – I’m looking at you, Becca.)

• Practice makes perfect. The more you host, the easier it becomes.

My older sister Carrie has hosting down to an art, and I’ve learned so much from watching her. She reminded me the other day…  What do you feel when you’re at other people’s homes? Most of the time I’m just happy they’ve invited me!

After everyone had left, the candles were blown out and the dishwasher was running, I went back to my room happy and full after a successful party. I looked in the mirror and realized I had forgotten to put on makeup that day. Ha! How do I forget to look in the mirror before 7 people come over? But it was the best feeling — I didn’t care. I realized how far I’ve come in a year from seeking perfection and how nice it was to have such great friends who cared less if I was decked out in makeup or not.

Do you get nervous about inviting people over? What hosting tricks do you have up your sleeve?

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PS – Apparently Ina Garten wears slippers when she hosts. I love that!