Whether you’re planning your first-ever dinner party or consider yourself something of a seasoned pro, there’s always something you can do to take your dinner party to the next level. This way, your guests will be talking about the party for years to come!
With that in mind, here are some useful tips that you can utilize to plan a truly unforgettable dinner party.
Create your own bespoke cocktails. Creating your own themed cocktails is a great way to bring something unique to the table during your dinner party – and you have plenty of options to choose from.
For example, you could recreate classic cocktails and rename them so that they feature guests’ names or references to inside jokes. Alternatively, you could try something a little more unique, such as a beer cocktail (it’s better than it sounds).
Whether you decide to make a tequila cocktail or something rum-based, you should make sure to create at least one non-alcoholic version, too. This way, designated drivers or guests who may not be drinking can join in on the fun!
Choose a fun theme. Choosing a fun theme for your dinner party is a great way to turn an ordinary night into something spectacular. For example, you purchase a murder mystery package from Murder Mystery Party Headquarters, which allows your guests to step into their imagination by adopting a character and solving a murder while they’re at it.
You can elevate their experience by going all out and decorating your home in line with the theme of the mystery, creating a themed menu, and encouraging everyone to dress the part!
Perfect your menu. It goes without saying that the true ‘star’ of your dinner party should be the food that you prepare for your guests. This can prove tricky if you aren’t the best cook or spend more time ordering takeout than in the kitchen.
However, this is the perfect opportunity to wow your guests by demonstrating an impressive culinary feat. To get started, think carefully about the kind of food you’d like to prepare, perhaps by focusing on cuisine or dishes that you’re already familiar with. You should also check ahead of time to see if guests have any specific dietary requirements that need to be catered to!
From there, put together a menu that you’re happy with and get practising. By having a trial run and preparing the dishes ahead of time, you’ll feel much more confident in your food on the day, and you can ensure that you’ve selected the perfect recipe. You may even want to take some cooking classes that help you refine your skills and your confidence in the kitchen.
Think about the evening entertainment. Keeping your guests entertained is also key to planning a successful dinner party. However, this can prove difficult if you’re spending time in the kitchen preparing meals and mixing drinks, which means that you may want to think about other forms of entertainment, too.
While putting together a curated playlist is a great shout, you could also consider the possibility of having live music at your dinner party, such as by inviting a local musician to perform or giving your friends a chance to take the mic.
Have fun with the invites. Instead of dropping your friend a text to invite them to your dinner party, why not play it old-school and send out a traditional invite? This is a particularly good idea if you’re adopting a particular theme, as you can relay this information in the invite in a fun and creative way.
The sooner you send out invites, the better. This way, you know exactly how many people to prepare food and drink for and whether or not you need to cater to specific dietary requirements along the way. This is particularly crucial if guests have severe allergies so that you can ensure their safety.
You should also ask recipients to let you know whether or not they will be attending by a specific date or timeframe.
Final thoughts. In short, there are plenty of steps that you can take to turn a run-of-the-mill dinner party into something your guests will be talking about for many years to come. Doing so also means that you’ll raise the bar among your social group, as they may well try to plan a similar event in the future.
However, it’s also important that you do not lose sight of the point of hosting a dinner party – getting to spend time with those you know and love!