There are very few things that I love more than throwing
dinner parties. It is a great way to get your friends and family together to
relax and have fun. Of course, some dinner parties are just
massive stress-fests. But, with a bit of planning and strategy, you can show
your friends a good time while having a good time yourself.
Tip #1 – Pick a Theme
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that you have to go all
out and decorate your apartment like the 2016 Rio Olympic Village or like the
set of Star Trek Beyond. I’m simply suggesting that the first step to making
the party a great one is to find a single thread that will bring everything,
from the décor to the appetizers, together cohesively. Your theme doesn’t need
to be apparent to your guests; it’s simply an organizing schema for you. Since
it is summer, you might consider a
theme as simple as Citrus. Let that theme take you to all sorts of cool places
– your base colors can be orange, yellow & green. It’s bright and cheerful
without being overly juvenile. You can also take the citrus theme to your food
and prepare a set of dishes that each highlight a different citrus fruit.
If a food-based theme isn’t your thing, try an
activity-based theme, something along the lines of board or card games. You can
also do a wine tasting or movie marathon. One of my absolute favorite memories
from graduate school is a James Bond movie marathon party that a friend of mine
threw. It was one part elegant and one part raucous. We had a fantastic
evening, eating and drinking and critiquing every Bond and Bond girl
throughout the ages. This type of theme is a great way to introduce your
friends to one of your passions, but in a fun and engaging way.
Tip #2 – Stay Tried & True
In our Pinterest and Instagram competitive world, it can
be tempting to try to show off every dish you’ve ever learned to cook (and some
you’re just trying out for the first time). But, in order for your dinner party
to go off without any missteps, you should plan to present a respectable
mixture of ready-made/store bought dishes with a set of your favorite tried and
true homemade recipes. Getting overly ambitious has ruined many a dinner party
– making the night miserable for the host and the guests.
Choosing the food for your dinner party will be made
significantly easier after you’ve chosen a theme. From there, make a list of 5
– and no more than 5 – dishes that you’d like to serve. From that list, pick
the 2 that you cook better than your local grocery store and cook those.
Everything else can be bought prepared. Be smart about this; try to choose at
least one dish that you can make ahead (and reheat or serve cold). That will be
one fewer thing for you to think about on the day of your party. Remember, you want to have fun at this party.
That won’t be possible if you’re in the kitchen monitoring the Crown Roast as
it simmers in your Homemade Apple Cider broth.
Tip #3 – Keep it Simple
Since my first tip is to pick a theme, you might be thinking
that I mean for you to go on a décor shopping spree. I don’t. Matter of fact,
I’d suggest you not buy a single item of décor. Your apartment is impressive
enough as it is – especially if you’re living at Redwood! Don’t go all out on
fancy décor items or spend tons of money and time making party favors – this
isn’t a bridal shower, it’s a dinner party. Keeping it casual will help your
guests feel at home, which is exactly how you want them to feel. If you’re
feeling compelled to decorate, keep it simple and cheap by shopping thrift and
dollar stores. You can find great bargains – and with a preselected theme (and
budget) you’ll know what you’re looking for.
I know that the temptation to use a dinner party to impress
your friend is very high – very, very high. But, think of how much more
impressive it will be if you’re able to be relaxed and present at your party.
With a theme and a bit of help from the store – and nixing the big bang décor –
your party will be fantastic because you’ll be there and you’ll be able to give
your guests the type of care and attention that is truly impressive.
*Written by Lindsay S., a proud writer, swimmer, and Redwood resident.
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