Dinner is a great time to reconnect with loved ones. It’s also a fantastic time for a little dinner party planning.
But when it comes to dinner parties, there are a few things to remember such as a detailed shopping list, choosing the perfect date and planning the perfect first impressions for when your guests arrive.
Here are a few quick reminders for planning a dinner party that’s sure to inspire.
Picking a theme for your dinner party is an excellent way to build anticipation for your event. Choosing a theme can also help guide you when preparing food, decorations and party games.
For example, if you’re throwing a football party, you may want to choose traditional tailgate foods, such as sliders and ask for guests to come in attire adorned with their favorite team.
While table settings and managing a cooking schedule might seem like the biggest part of planning your party, you may want to consider guests with food restrictions.
For example, some guests may have a gluten-free diet, and others may be fine with everything except tomatoes. Review any dietary restrictions before starting your shopping list. This way, both you and your guests feel confident in the hors d’oeuvres and enjoy your get together.
When planning your dinner party, examine the type of mood you want to set. Are you going for a more relaxed, fun and casual vibe? Or, are you trying to set the right mood for a formal gathering?
Determine your lighting, main course decor and table spread based on your desired mood to ensure the atmosphere hits the mark. You may even choose to add a little extra music to keep the air light.
These tips are sure to help you keep your calm and embrace your loved ones as they arrive. Remember, preparing charming place settings, serving dishes topped with edible decorations and turning your dining room into a cozy yet chic dining experience is sure to get your guest list craving your next dinner party
Lana Harris is a Chicago native who is a second-generation real estate professional. She was introduced to real estate at a very young age while attending open houses with her mother who is a broker. She honed her skills assisting in property searches (back in the thick, Multiple Listing Service book days,) and using map reading skills to help plan property tour sequencing. Lana’s love of working with people and delivering strong customer service led her to the retail sector, where she developed her management skills at MC Sports, Ann Taylor, and Adidas. She and her husband moved to Utah in 2008 to enjoy the natural beauty of the mountains, and she began her real estate career here in 2015. Most recently, she was a VP of sales for a large team; she thrives on challenges and is determined to overcome obstacles to achieve results for her clients. Lana and her husband enjoy their three large dogs, skiing, camping and paddleboarding.