The Stress-Free Guide to Hosting Your First Dinner Party

Dinner parties are great ways to bring friends together and enjoy the weekend after a tiresome week of work. While guests may seem to enjoy socializing the host has a truckload of responsibilities which makes the entire process extremely stressful. Here’s how you can plan your next dinner party while reducing or eliminating the stress factor.



Step 1: Decide a Guest List 

Since this is your first dinner party, we suggest starting small. Six to eight guests will be manageable and will allow you to prepare with ease. Choose your guest list wisely, inviting people who don’t know each other might get awkward, start with a group of friends of couples so that there is a smooth flow of conversation, and everyone is comfortable with each other. You can start calling to invite your guest a week or two in advance and send out a reminder three days before the party, just for additional confirmation and no last-minute back outs. 

 

Step 2: Plan Your Food Menu

Now that you have your guest list in place, it’s time to start planning the menu. Check for any dietary restrictions with your guest, to avoid any food mishaps on the day itself. If you have some vegan guests, keeping vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian options will be wise. If you’re cooking dinner at home, go for dishes that are tried and tested. Choosing something new, complicated, and fancy might end up leaving your guest hungry for the night. You can even opt for a third party vendor to take this heavy burden off your shoulders, and have a total peace of mind knowing someone is working for you. 

 Step 3: Think Of Some Drink Options 

Every dinner party needs some good drinks to complement the menu. You can add a selection of wine, fruit punches, cider, beer, and even soda. If you have guests that don’t drink, keeping non-alcoholic options would be your best bet. 

 


Step 4: Decorate the Place

The ambiance is perhaps an essential aspect of a gathering. It sets the mood and tone for every party and determines whether your party will be a success. Decorate the dinner table with some fresh flowers and candles. Hanging fairy lights on to the walls can make even the dullest room sparkle. A small set of wireless speakers will be ideal for playing some soft chill music in the background. You go a step ahead and curate your own dinner party playlist, or use ones that are available online. 

Pappy’s Devil Crabs is a renowned and reliable catering service in Tampa, FL. Their specialties include stuffed devil crabs, devil crabs, beef empanadas, and a range of island-style drinks. Contact them for a taste of their classic, authentic dishes to take your dinner party to the next level. 

 

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