Hosting a dinner party is hard. You have to prep the food, prep your pad and prep yourself–all the while anticipating exactly which one of your friends will be the early bird.
As for the food, make it ahead and cook what you know.
As for everything else, here are 10 sanity-saving tips to help take the pressure off.
SEND A PRETTY DIGITAL INVITE
It takes like two more minutes than an email and will make your friends ooh and ahh.
DO THE ALCOHOL MATH
There’s a science to calculating how much booze you should buy. On average, assume your guests will have two drinks per hour. This means that 8 guests x 2 drinks x 3 hours = 48 drinks (and a bottle of wine holds 5 glasses). This also means, when guests ask, “What can I bring?” You say, “Wine.”
SET THE TABLE THE NIGHT BEFORE
This is a major day-of time-saver. It’s also your moment to do a quick inventory check and figure out if you do, in fact, need to run that tablecloth through the wash.
MAKE THE BAR SELF-SERVE
The last thing you need to worry about is whether or not guests have a drink in hand. Simply clear some counter space (or repurpose a side table) for barware, booze and all the fixings.
BROWN BAG THE MENU
Grab a sharpie and map out the menu on brown paper lunch bags. Guests will love knowing what’s for dinner, and it’s a cheap and easy way to add some DIY charm to your decor.
CREATE A PINTEREST-WORTHY CHEESE PLATE
Quickly and evenly cut delicate cheeses so they’re ready to display.
MAKE A PAPER NAPKIN BOUQUET
Cut down on your cleanup time by using paper napkins instead of cloth. To be sure they still feel fancy, roll them loosely and arrange in a bowl for guests to grab easily.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE BATHROOM
Light a candle, clean the toilet and make sure you have enough TP. And if your bathroom doesn’t have a lock, use a blank notecard and piece of string to create your own “Occupied” sign.
…OR THE ICE
But if you do forget, throw wedges of lemon and lime on a baking sheet in the freezer for a colorful way to chill your drink.
AND REMEMBER, GLOBE LIGHTS MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER
You can’t beat instant ambiance–on the cheap.
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