To begin with, let's not stress ourselves here. That is the first rule. It's your party and you should enjoy it and for that you have to plan smart. Anybody who claims you can over-prepare has never hosted a successful dinner party. Planning ahead is your best friend. Most importantly, this will also help you stick to rule number one. So, decide on your menu and the ambiance well ahead of time and also have a general idea of how you want your get together to go.
Putting it on the plate
This is undoubtedly where it all begins. Now you might be tempted to try your signature dish or fry the classic pink prawns for snack again but do realize that parties are also your opportunity to play around with your kitchen skills.
Gather a stack of cookbooks that you think might be the most helpful or if you can't be bothered with that, pull up some popular cooking web sites or even YouTube videos. The likes of Jamie Oliver have several channels dedicated precisely to show you how easy making appetizers and entrees can be. Simply grab a pen and paper and settle into a nice comfy chair.You might also want to make a list of the people who will be joining you for the meal and consider dietary restrictions, if there are any.
More organization means less stress. And less stress means a more enjoyable experience for the cook. Think about ingredients. What is in season right now? What do you already have in your kitchen? Consider the time and the effort the recipes might take and don't feel the pressure to be too fancy. A good meal is a good meal. And sometimes keeping it simple might be the key to a perfect dinner party. Prepping as many extra bits and pieces beforehand is also a very smart move.
The power of ambiance
Indeed you need to do more than just clean (or shove all the stray pieces of clothing and other belongings in the nearby closet) your house or apartment. A beautifully set table is the canvas for a delicious meal. As your mother might have already told you, your choice of plates, glasses and cutlery matter.
Also how about just going to the garden or a flower shop the morning of the dinner party and arranging some fresh blooms for the centerpieces. If you want floral centerpieces, the rule is to keep them low enough that guests can talk over them. You don't want your guests craning their necks just to make conversation.
A candle lit table is also something you simply cannot go wrong with, that is, if you stick to non-scented candles. You don't want it to interfere with the tastes and smells of your food. If you wish to have more fun with the ambiance, need we say more than string lights. The guests shall certainly notice the effort you have put in, so get creative.
Creating the right vibe
Music is one of the easiest ways to create a great ambiance for your dinner party. Many recommend the iTunes Radio for all types of gatherings but you also have the choice of letting your guest plug in their own iPods and listening to their personal playlists. Discussions and debates on music are always entertaining after all.
Still if you are curious about the appropriate choice of playlist for parties, generally the Indie Alt-Folk tunes is great for casual dinner gatherings, and jazz or classical music work well for more formal events. If you want your guests busting a move or two, the popular charts might be the perfect choice.
A reminder though: Keep in mind that while background music prevents awkward silences during the meal, the volume should be kept low enough that it won't interfere with conversation.
Bottoms up
While you can wait a bit to serve the food, you should have the drinks ready when the first guests walk through the door—it gives people something to do and gets them mingling. Wines and beers are clearly the crowd and the hosts' favorite. It is not only easy to serve but you can bet they are to almost everybody's liking.
Still if you want to make your party slightly more interesting you could choose to mix the drink menus with a cocktail or two. Don't be intimidated. You will be surprised how easy and fun it is to make one. For instance, for the classic Mojito all you need is a crystal clear, smooth White rum, zesty lime, fresh mint and you are ready to enjoy it with the crew. Besides, simple and easy to make cocktail recipes can be found all over the Internet.
Perhaps as a host you might also like to know that there are three main approaches to serving drinks. A full bar includes a wide variety of liquors and mixers. A themed bar focuses on one type of liquor and an assortment of mixers. A signature cocktail bar features one or two mixed drinks. So consider these options and plan accordingly.
Channeling your playful side
Let's settle this for once and for all, you are never too old for a good game. A memorable party is full of chatter, laughter and some silliness (because, why not?). There are various adult party game ideas that are the perfect icebreaker for any party. It's actually a bit of a shame that they haven't caught on among many here in our country. There are a variety of easy to learn games appropriate for both small and large groups as well as small or large spaces. Games like Heads up and Charades even have apps which makes the process all too easy.
Then there are classic gems like Dancing Chain. Simply stand everyone in a circle, and nominate someone to start the dance chain. They do this, by making a simple dance move: waving their hands in the air or kicking out a leg or jumping once. The new player repeats the move, before adding their own. Keep the whole thing going, until an entire dance routine has been created. The game ends with the whole circle performing the routine together.
A party that ends with dance, or even begins with one, is sure to be called the party of the year.
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