Having your friends and family over for dinner is just one of the many joys that comes with owning a home. When looking at homes for sale in Atlanta or anywhere else, thinking of all the fun parties you could throw is what makes the hunt for your dream house so exciting. If you’ve never thrown a dinner party, here are some tips and tricks to help you wow your guests with your hosting skills!
Plan Your Menu
Figuring out what kind of food you want to serve is one of the first steps to planning a successful dinner party. Contrary to what you might think, you don’t necessarily need to pull out all the stops and prepare the most elegant gourmet meal to impress your guests. Something as simple as mac and cheese can end up being a big hit depending on how you prepare it. You can put your own unique twist on a classic comfort food recipe like mac and cheese by adding extras like breadcrumbs, spices, and anything else you can think of! You can also create elegant-looking hors d’oeuvres with only a few ingredients, like bruschetta, stuffed mushrooms, and fig crostini. You should also check with your guests to make sure there aren’t any allergies or special diets that could clash with your menu. If you have vegan or vegetarian friends, be sure to have at least one or two options for them as well.
Set The Mood
When your guests walk into your home, they should feel warm and welcome, which is why it is important to create a nice ambiance for when they arrive. One easy way you could do this is by dimming the lights and lighting some candles to create a warm, inviting glow. Your guests will instantly feel relaxed, and using softer lighting instead of harsh overhead lighting is an effortless way to change the mood of your home. To make your home extra cozy for your guests, try adding throw pillows on each dining room chair to make the dining experience more comfortable. Music can also serve as a great mood-setter for your dinner party. Depending on the theme of your party, go with whatever music feels right, like christmas music for a December soiree. If you want to go the extra mile, you can ask your guests to create mix CDs of their favorite songs and put them into rotation during dinner!
Be A Good Host
Whenever you have guests in your home, it is important to make sure you are being extra accommodating and cater to their needs. When your guests arrive, offer to take their coats and anything else they may not want to carry around. If your guests have never been to your home, help them feel more comfortable by giving them a tour. Be sure to offer drinks and hors d’oeuvres to your guests to hold them over before dinner. If there are some guests who do not know each other, make an introduction to help them break the ice. When it comes time to sit down for dinner, try to seat yourself at the head of the table, so that you can lead the conversation and be accessible to all of your guests.