Keep it simple
Dinners are affairs that we all plan well in advance but hardly anything goes according to 'the plan.' So here's what you can do. Keep it simple. Don't plan on whipping up elaborate meals that will have you in the kitchen even after the guests arrive. Unless you want to cater, that is. Wrap up all the kitchen chores before the guests are scheduled to arrive and keep the food in microwavable containers so you can heat then when it's finally time to eat. Your guests deserve your full attention and it will matter more than the food.
Use and throw
Using disposable plates and glasses might not seem like a good idea to many who would like to serve their guests in 'proper' ceramics or melamine dinnerware but trust us, you'll be a lot happier when the guests are gone and you don't have a pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Disposable stuff doesn't have to be boring. There are many fancy (and sturdy) glasses and plates available at the supermarket these days. Get some funky napkins too and you're good to go.
Drink in style
If you don't have a proper bar area, then lay out all the drinks on a table and keep it well stocked. Make sure you put a nice table cloth, place a small bouquet of flowers, and light a candle to turn the table into a stunning (albeit makeshift) watering hole. Make sure you have enough ice, water, and juices to last the night and you won't have to go running for some during the party. Keep an extra bottle opener and corkscrew, just in case. Disposable glasses might not work much for drinks so stock up enough 'real' glasses here.
Something to munch on
While some people prefer to enjoy their drinks without any accoutrements, there are some who can't handle even the slightest bit of alcohol on an empty stomach. We, Nepalis, tend to whip up heavy items like chicken or paneer chilly, and momos for snacks. This is a sure shot way to ensure that much of your meticulously planned dinner will go to waste. So the best thing to do is to keep it light. Set out peanuts, chips, and maybe salad with a tasty dip to be served with the drinks and let the actual food be just for the dinner table.
Beauty is in the details
The ambience matters as much, if not more, than the food and drinks so make sure you decorate your home a little. You don't have to do much either. Just get some flowers and place it at different areas of the house. If you are holding an outdoor event, then potted plants will work as well. Then add some string lights for a romantic feel. You can also place a small urn filled with water at the entrance, add some flowers and a floating candle to it. All these efforts will be lost if your place is dusty and things are lying about, so clean up a little beforehand.
Let go...temporarily
Okay, here's a little tip for all the hosts out there. When your guests are done with dinner and leave clutter behind, walk away
from it like everybody else. You need to be able to enjoy along with the invitees. If you start clearing the table and cleaning up the moment people are done, it takes away from the festive
atmosphere. If the host doesn't immediately start clearing things, the guests will feel more at ease. And so will you. Think
about it.
Add some sweetness
We usually don't give much thought to desserts when we plan a dinner event. Usually people are quite full by the end of it all that
sometimes they don't want to gorge on more food. But there's a simple solution to that. Offer bite-sized pieces of cakes that don't require much 'eating'. You can also pass around mini chocolate pieces. Another cool idea might be to fill little disposable cups with treats like chocolate coated biscuits and chocolates and then wrap it in clear plastic and tie a bow on top. Your guests can take this home instead of having dessert immediately after dinner. Also, it might be a good idea to brew a pot of coffee while dinner is being served and keep it ready just in case someone wants a cup after the scrumptious meal.
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