Newry Democrat - Features - How to host the perfect dinner party

Features

How to host the perfect dinner party

Tuesday, 15 November 2011

Throwing a dinner party can be a stressful experience. Will the food be fancy enough? What if the conversation becomes boring? It's true to say that anyone who's ever thrown a dinner party has probably had a few sleepless nights in the run-up to the big event, if not the odd panic attack.

As with most things in life, presentation is very important. If you can get everything looking perfect and pristine, then all the guests will remember is a fabulous evening in beautiful surroundings (and only you will remember the minute burn on one of the soufflés). Start by getting the house as clean and tidy as possible, starting a few days in advance if necessary. Rope in friends or family to help and make sure to keep a detailed note of everything that needs doing; you don't want to be frantically tidying things away hours before the guests arrive.

The next piece of advice is a little more fun; think about how you're going to decorate your dining room and any themes you might want to incorporate. Many like to take their cue from the food they'll be eating, so a colourful Asian theme with Indian food, plenty of candles with Italian, etc. If you don't like that idea, or are serving a mixture of food, think about your personal style and how you can incorporate this into your dinner party. So, those who like a bit of glamour might go with an old Hollywood theme, while if you enjoy gardening you could arrange plenty of flowers and plants around the room. To really surprise your guests, personalise their place settings or even the food they're eating. This can mean a little extra work, but small details work together to create a big impression.

You also need to make sure you're equipped with the right furniture for the occasion. While you don't need to redecorate the entire house, it's worth checking that you have enough chairs for your guests, and if you don't, arrange to borrow some for the evening. Dining tables can also be another minefield; is yours big enough for everyone and all the food? If not, consider trimming the guest list or putting the wine and spare glasses onto a side table to maximise space.

It's also worth remembering that the evening doesn't necessarily end after the desserts have been cleared away. Many guests will expect to retire to another room for some drinks and chatting, so make sure you have a comfortable area ready. Take a look at your living room furniture; have you enough space for guests to lounge around? Does the room look inviting? A good tip to make the living room look more welcoming is to introduce plenty of scatter cushions and other cosy fabrics to soften the overall look.

While a dinner party can be hard work, they can also be a lot of fun and the perfect chance to catch up with friends, or even make some new ones. While it's tempting to get caught up in the stress and worry of how the night is progressing, remember this: the best parties are the ones with a friendly host and relaxed atmosphere, so forget your to-do list and concentrate on having a fabulous time. After all, there'll be plenty of washing up to do at the end of the night, and that'll cause enough stress on its own!