Planning The Perfect Dinner Party
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The opportunities for social gatherings have been few and far between in 2020 with us being advised not to mix with people outside our own household. However, we all need something to look forward to, and when the Coronavirus pandemic has begun to die down and life returns to normality, it can be fun to hold a classy dinner party for your family and friends.
However, planning an intimate party for family and friends can be much more difficult than it seems. Sure, if you are having an informal gathering it is easy, but if you want to go all out for a post-COVID celebration, you may want something a little more formal and fancy.
Here, we share some tips to help you to plan the perfect dinner party.
Plan your dinner party menu in advance
As far in advance as possible, plan out your menu for your dinner party. This gives you time to source alternatives, practice any dishes that you are not confident with, and make sure that the food is suitable for everyone. Order your food from quality suppliers such as Superior Farms to really impress your guests!
Remember to check whether any of your guests have specific dietary needs. Even if they did not before, with lockdowns and social distancing, you may not have realized they have given up eating meat, developed an allergy, or have to follow a strict diet for health reasons. The last thing you want to do is serve up a big piece of steak to a guest who has turned vegan since you last saw them!
Lay the table the night before
Getting your table setting just right can be a lot of fun; however, if you are trying to lay it out at the same time as cooking, getting dressed, and making sure the house is tidy, it is going to be stressful and possibly not as beautiful as you want it to be. Give yourself one less task to do on the night of the party by doing it in advance. You can take your time and get as creative as you like. There are stunning clearance linens that you can use to decorate your table. It also gives you the chance to run out and grab anything that is missing.
Put together a playlist
Background music is essential at a dinner party. It creates a relaxed atmosphere and fills any awkward silences. However, it is important to get the music right. You do not want anything with a heavy bassline but you do not want anything that is going to lull your guest into a sleepy haze. Find music that is chilled out and uplifting, and keep the volume low.
Think about the lighting
Lighting can make or break the atmosphere of a dinner party. No one wants to be sitting in bright overhead lights to eat their meal. Turn the ‘big’ light off, and bathe the room in candlelight and the glow of lamps. It has the added benefit of being super flattering as well!
