8 Things You Need For A Successful Dinner Party

A successful dinner party is not just a thing for the high class. Anyone can host a small gathering of family, friends, or even clients and co-workers for a dinner. They are a great way to get people together and enjoy a fun evening of conversation, good food, and sometimes a few party games. Here are some of the things you need to put together a successful dinner party.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

Good Food

Whether you cook it yourself or cater it, you’ll need good food to make your dinner party the best. A dinner party isn’t complete without it, and you don’t want to be caught unprepared on the big day.

Plan ahead for the menu and take into consideration any food allergies or dietary preferences your guests might have. A good host thinks about these things and plans accordingly. You’ll want to make sure that you make or purchase enough food to feed all of your guests.

Great Wine Or Signature Drinks

You can’t have a dinner party without wine or signature drinks, so it’s important to choose the right kind of drink for your guests. You can ask around to find a good wine pairing to go with your meal. For example, why not match the best Rioja wines with whatever you decide to serve at your wedding.

Additionally, choose a signature drink that uses premium vodka or even a good whiskey as the base so you can offer something more than a glass of wine for the meal. Ask a bartender for some drink ideas if you need them. You could even hire a bartender to premix some drinks for your dinner party in advance.

Comfortable Seating

While folding chairs are economical, they are not the most comfortable seating option. Comfortable seating is a must. You want your guests to be able to relax and enjoy themselves, so make sure that their chairs are the right size for the space, easy to move around, and easy to clean up.

The chairs should be comfortable enough that people can sit in them for hours without getting tired or sore. You could even purchase or rent a few extra chairs if you don’t already have enough comfortable ones in your home.

Game Nights

What do you plan to do after dinner? While music can set the mood and make for a fun event, game nights are also fun. Play card games or other group games like Apples to Apples. These games are fun because they can bring out laughter and you learn something about the people you know when you play them. Once dinner is over, you can move the games into a different room or play them around a table.

Great Music

Music can make or break the mood at your dinner party. Choose music that’s appropriate for the time of day, the type of party, and your guests’ tastes. If you’re having a relaxing evening with close friends, consider playing mellow jazz or classical music in the background. Unless of course, your guests prefer something different like 90’s rock or 80’s ballads, use music that’s right for the event.

Cool Decor

You don’t need to spend a lot on decorations, but you should consider how some well-placed lights, flowers, or other natural materials can help elevate your dinner party. Decorations can also be on the lines of a theme. If it’s indoors, keep it simple, but enough that they are noticeable. Outdoor parties often benefit from different types of lighting like Tiki lights, lanterns, and large hanging bulbs.

A Guest List

Invite people who will get along and you know will likely be able to make it. You want to pick people that you would enjoy spending time with and that you know are social enough to enjoy a small gathering even with a few strange faces. If it’s a work-related party, don’t invite the people who constantly bicker and don’t get along.

Sending Out Invites In Advance

Don’t spring your dinner party on someone you really want to attend on the day of the event. Instead, please give them a few weeks’ notice with a formal invitation and send out reminders the week of the dinner. You should also make it easy for the guests to RSVP so that they tell you whether they will be there or not.

Successful Dinner Party – Conclusion

It’s important to remember that a dinner party is not just another night out. It’s an opportunity to get together with friends and family, share stories and good food, and make new memories together. Choose a great menu with food and drinks, and make sure the environment is comfortable for everyone to spend a few hours together.