If you are hosting a dinner party for the first time, then it is both a feeling of excitement and anxiety. From chalking the menu to setting up the tables and chairs, there are a lot of factors to consider. But, there’s no way you can ditch this plan because this was your idea of a solid get-together with your closest friends. Moreover, to make it a successful one, you need to chalk out how the whole party would be entertaining. Will your friends be up for a jamming session or will it be just Netflix and chill night? Every minute should be memorable, right?
So, to calm down your thoughts we have figured out the main elements that play a major role in your dinner party hosting. From budget planning to chalking out the near by restaurants for the food required at your party, we’ve got you covered in this blog. Let’s get started on each one of them-
Elements That Should Be On Your Checklist for Hosting the Perfect Dinner Party
- Chalking out the guest list
So, if your friend circle is small, then you don’t need to spend much time on this step. But if it’s more than 10 friends, then you need to sit with a pen and paper, or your smartphone’s notepad. Sometimes your friend circle also gets intertwined with your cousins who are of the same age. Watch out for those head counts. Those additional guests will add to the enthusiasm of your friends because they might gel well with each other. Or, if you have seen them vibe together before, then it’s a catch! It might just turn into a movie night.
- The Subtle Invitation Strategy
Be realistic and smart. Don’t take the hassle of making physical copies of your party invite. It’s a world where everything is online, isn’t it? Moreover, you might not be having so much time to make paper invitations. So, save yourself by designing cool online invitations just with a click. You can always take the help of digital platforms like Canva which suggests online invitation cards that are editable. Voila! Just put in those names, and send them (through WhatsApp or Facebook or any media) at least 2 weeks prior to your party date. Don’t forget to collect their RSVPs. Maybe get on a call with them or text them that sounds something like- “Kindly let me know if you can make it… just ensuring that you are not missing on the toothsome dessert! Moreover, it won’t be fun without your humorous jokes”.
- The “Must-Have” Budget Plan
The magic of a simple Excel sheet can’t be more eye-opening in this step. On one column, just jot down the heads like food/snacks, transport arrangement (if any), extra table chair for the additional seating and dining, etc. On the right-hand side column with respect to the used column, write down the quantity and subsequently, the ballpark amount that is resulting. That’s it! Add the values to get your total cost. See, if the resulting expenses are within your budget or not.
If it’s exceeding, then try to cut down costs in terms of transportation arrangements, etc. Don’t compromise on the quality of the food. You might try standard food delivery services and exercise some keywords like- offers near me. It might work wonders. Sometimes renowned platforms like Swiggy’s app give away coupon offers/bank offers which can minimize your overall food expense, without minimizing the quality.
Additionally, check whether you are spending too much on unnecessary items like lighting and music. You might already have a music player and holiday lights in your home. Utilize those elements, rather than buying. Remember- You can always alter the budget according to the advancement of the plan. This makes us go to the next factor i.e. the menu.
- The Elephant in the room
The Food- Here comes the only topic that makes people freak out when hosting a dinner party for the first time. But you don’t need to worry, as we have got your back.
Look, the fundamentals are very simple here. You have to go for a multi cuisine setup. Assuming that you know most of the food preferences of the guests since they are mostly your friends and family. So, chalk out- which cuisine they like and what are the common platters. And voila! You are almost ready for the party. Almost, because you still need to arrange for the food. Don’t forget to keep an eye on the unique dishes that might have common allergens. Some of your friends may want to sneak on them if they have specific allergic conditions. Also, on the day of your dinner party, put the menu on the table. It’s fun to do it, while your guests can have a quick look too.
- Chalking the restaurant
Well, you can consider this factor to be an extension of the above pointer. But, we have segregated them because this will take some space to make you understand it’s weightage.
As we mentioned earlier you need to have a multi cuisine arrangement for the dinner. For this to be a success, you need to do thorough research on the near by restaurants with respect to your home. Because, preparing for a meal all by yourself, and that too from scratch is a big no! Secondly, it’s a very big hassle cleaning up that mess after your friends leave for the day. So, just call up your guests if you are having doubts about the menu and sort it out. Jump onto a legit platform like the Swiggy app and finalize your menu based on the data that you have ideated. Apart from that, if you are seeking snacks like potato chips and other groceries, Swiggy can take care of that too! Utilize the Instamart section, and help yourself. From fresh fruits to drinks and munchies, everything will be delivered to your doorstep. It’s that simple.
- Creating the vibe
As hinted earlier, utilize the holiday lights of your home and decorate your room accordingly. It can be a themed dinner night as well. If that is the scenario, then the details of the costume should be given in your invitation cards. Also, a Bluetooth speaker should do the job of the background music.
- Stock up Towels and Toiletries
Many folks skip this step but it forms a crucial factor. Though it may sound very basic at first, it is not, in real time. Even with six or seven guests joining the party, the pressure on your bathrooms will be heavy. So, stock up all the toiletries you can think of before the day of the party.
Conclusion
Don’t panic if you have gone through this blog thoroughly. You have gathered the knowledge about what it takes to host a dinner party. Now, to make it go according to your plan, you need to calm down and gather more data so that it helps you gauge the requirements on the party day itself. By data, it is meant by pax count, food preferences, etc. Apart from that, it is all set.
Since food is the most crucial factor, try it out only from reliable platforms like the Swiggy app which not only helps you get quality food but also suggests the complimentary platters that best gel with the main course. With smooth and multiple payment options, it won’t let you down, in case of a quick order. After all, we are humans and we forget stuff by the time. There you go, Swiggy it to give you the best dinner party your friends ever had.