Hosting dinner with friends at your house is a great way to socialise and have a low-key evening. While going out to dinner is great, hosting in your home can be a more intimate event without all the noise and distraction of a restaurant or pub. It can also be much more cost-effective for those who are watching what they spend. But what if you want to take your hosting abilities to the next level?
Here are some easy-to-follow tips on how you can host the perfect dinner party with friends at your house.
Wow Them with a Tasty Menu
When hosting a dinner party it’s clear that the most important detail of the evening will be the menu. Everything else you do will just complement the meal. You’ll want to take the time to plan your menu, which will include being mindful of any dietary restrictions that your guests may have. It’s also wise to include ingredients that are in season and/or that can be sourced locally. This will help add brightness and freshness to the recipe.
One of the most elegant dishes to serve at a dinner party is fresh fish, so for that, you want to find a local fishmonger. A fishmonger London will have a variety of fresh fish. That’s a fabulous way of guaranteeing a high-quality product.
If you’re struggling to come up with ideas, check out sample dinner party menus online. They will offer ideas for appetizers, soups, mains and desserts.
Prepare and Make as Much as Possible in Advance
So that you can socialise with your guests, it’s also a good idea to prepare and make as much of the meal as possible in advance. Even if that means doing all the washing, chopping, and measuring, and having things in bowls ready to be combined, it will save you a lot of time. For those with a kitchen that isn’t open to the sitting room, you want to be away from your guests as little as possible.
Put Extra Effort in the Table Settings
Another elegant and special touch is to put extra effort into setting up the table. Using eye-catching dishes, chargers, a beautiful tablecloth or runner, linen napkins, etc., will make your guests feel like they’re at a fine-dining establishment. Expert hosts also recognise the importance of a centrepiece that will act as the focal point of the table.
Great ideas for centrepieces include:
- Fresh flowers
- A wreath
- Candles
- A decorative
- Decorative branches
- Dried flowers
There are no rules for centrepieces; you’re free to be as creative as you want.
Set the Ambience with Music and Lighting
To create the ambience, you can have soft music playing in the background. Opt for something that isn’t too distracting so it won’t overtake conversations. Lighting can also be adjusted so it’s a bit lower but not dark. That may mean using lamps instead of overhead lighting, or if applicable, adjusting the dimmer switch.
Becoming the Perfect Host
All of these tips will help you to be the most perfect dinner party host imaginable.