HOW TO PLAN A DINNER PARTY, STEP 3
Planning an entertaining menu and an evening with guests can be quite intimidating. But with these tips and some planning, you will have a wonderful time at your own party! You'll find basic tips on this page, and on the next, I'll give you a menu and countdown timetable chart you can use to plan your party.
GO!
- Don't be afraid to ask for help. From the butcher at the grocery store to the florist, most people are happy to give advice. Think about hiring a high school student for help ahead of time with cleaning or shopping, or even help in the kitchen the day of the party.
- Shop first. If you buy as much as possible ahead of time, you will be assured of best quality as well as a well-stocked pantry. You may have to revise the menu if you can't find certain ingredients, and if you don't want to do this, you may have to order foods.
- Clean, clean, clean! A clean house is not only welcoming, but you will feel more comfortable knowing that a guest isn't going to come upon an unexpected mess. The kitchen and bathroom are the rooms I pay special attention to.
- Setting and decorating the table and the dining room is really fun. If your dining room can be closed off, set it a few days ahead of time. Keeping kids and pets away from a set table is important, so close the doors!
- Prepare foods that can be made ahead and store in the refrigerator or freeze.
- Follow your timetable, go over lists and make sure to check off each task as you complete it.
- I like to set out each serving dish along with its utensil and place a small card next to it with the name of the food that it will hold. This way you can calmly take foods out of the oven or fridge and just place it on the serving tray, then start eating!
- Try to plan so you have very little to do on the actual day of the party. Take time to relax, take a bubble bath, go for a stroll, or sit in your beautiful, clean house and enjoy before the guests arrive.
- And have fun! A relaxed host and hostess are key to the best party. If you're enjoying yourself, your guests will be happy and relaxed too.
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