Dinner Party!
Why do people host dinner parties anyway? I didn’t grow up in a dinner party throwing family. Our family business was a successful manufacturing plant here in the Metro, but since we lived in Eastern Oklahoma County, by the time my folks finished with work and got home, there wasn’t much energy left for hosting.
For whatever reason (possibly having something to do with a Martha Stewart obsession originating in the early 90s), I myself have always enjoyed entertaining at home. I’ve found that we are not “fancy” people when it comes to entertaining, having only broken out the inherited china, crystal, and silver a handful of times, barring a few holidays. Almost always, we have kids, pets, and loud noises aplenty while we serve buffet style dinners that are often potluck. We do tend to entertain at least twice a month, more in the summer, and we honestly love it. We’ll look for any reason to have folks over. European soccer over breakfast? Yep. Multi-family game night with make-your-own pizza? On it.
Tips for that kind of entertaining are easy: pick up the public areas of the house, clean the powder room (and light a candle), and offer guests a drink within a minute of walking through the door. You’re golden.
But let’s also talk tips for a different kind of dinner party: ones inspired by a graduation, milestone birthday, engagement, or any special occasion that deserves to be recognized with a bit more weight. These kinds of gatherings take a bit more thought, but with a little planning, they can be as relaxed for the host as they are for the guests.
The first thing for you to consider is the guest list. Keep it small. Really small. In my opinion, parties of six or eight are optimal. We have six dining chairs so that’s our magic number. Understandably, you may be obligated to host a slightly larger gathering, but to keep an intimate feel, having everyone at one table is key. Who to invite depends on your angle. Trying to incorporate a new couple to the friend group? Trying to set up your brother-in-law with your friend from college? Actually, maybe don’t try to play matchmaker with an eight person dinner party; that sounds like an SNL sketch poised to take root in your dining room. Let’s just say that if you aren’t inviting your five to seven best friends, you may want to be sure to include a buffer. A buffer is that friend who has never met a stranger and can slice through tension like a machete.
Your next concern is the menu. Here, you can go one of three ways. First, if you are so inclined, you can DIY this sucker. For a nice meal, presentation is key, so look for recipes that portion well, can prep and hold, and also fit any dietary restrictions your guests may have. Check EdibleCommunities.com for tons of recipe options! Alternatively, you could work with a local catering company or restaurant, with Abbey Road Catering serving as my recommendation. They do the dirty work and you pick up the complete meal ready for reheating and plating, keeping your kitchen pristine in the process. The third option is to hire said catering company or even a private chef to create and serve the entire meal in your home. This one is definitely the most impressive!
Now that the hard part is done, it’s time to focus on the little details. Have an appropriate playlist cued up. I can’t exactly say why, but music with lyrics in languages other than English has always been my go-to for a gathering. Bebel Gilberto is a favorite, and my Bossa Nova station gets a lot of love year-round.
Same rules for home clean-up apply anytime guests are expected. Make sure all public areas of the house are respectable, especially the powder room. In the winter, have a plan for coats.
Have easy to serve drinks prepped. If you’re serving a cocktail, it’s nice to have one that batches well ahead of time so you’re not spending the whole night behind the bar. Beer and wine are always acceptable, and a non-alcoholic option is welcome for non-drinkers. Additionally, have some sort of hors d’oeuvres ready to go, even a small cheese plate is great!
Finally, in your preparations, draw up a rough itinerary for the night. If guests are invited for 6 p.m., you’ll want to be sitting down to dinner no later than 7 p.m. Having cocktails and snacking for a bit can give you a little leeway with this, but the last thing you want are hungry and over-served guests still waiting to eat two hours after they arrived. Prep ahead, think through the timing, and you’ll be fine!
Now, throw on some clean clothes and open your front door. You’ve got some entertaining to do!
