Are you planning a small, casual dinner party at your home? If so, we believe that having your close friends over for a homecooked meal and great conversation is the perfect idea of a good time. While some people find inviting guests over to be nerve-wracking, we believe with the right tips and tricks you can become host/hostess of the year. Let’s take a look!

Preparing Your Home 

Of course, the first thing you will want to do is prepare your home for guests.  You can easily impress visitors by having a home that is sparkling clean. While you do not have to launch a full out spring cleaning project, you should make sure the main areas are free of clutter and smudges. Here are some tips for effectively cleaning for your dinner party:

•  Make sure the windows are clean and bright to allow natural light to flood your space
• Tidy up the entryway for guests to store their shoes and coats
• Deep clean the guest bathroom and stock up on extra toiletries for guests to access
• You will also want to clean the kitchen area because let’s be honest; no one wants to eat food prepared in a dirty kitchen 
• Lastly, you should tackle any areas that the guests may hang out or see (i.e., the living room, home office, dining room, etc.)

Food Preparation

First, you should inquire about food allergies ahead of time. Before you decide on what you are going to cook, it is in good taste to ask your guests if there are any allergies you should know. There is nothing worse than getting ready to serve your infamous pecan pie and find out that a guest has a severe nut allergy. Remember that the menu should include a variety of foods that everyone can enjoy. 

Secondly, cook dishes that you have successfully made at least twice. Preparing meals that you have yet to “master” may not go over too well with your guests. If you are set on wowing your friends with a new recipe, try making the dish at least a few weeks beforehand.

Lastly, keep it simple. When throwing a casual dinner party, you should cook smart by avoiding cooking foods that require constant stirring and flipping. Try a simple buffet style meal or a one-pot meal accompanied with a couple of simple side dishes for an easy but delicious meal.

What are your best dinner party tips? We would love for you to share your thoughts with other readers in the comment section. Thanks for reading!

You have invited all your friends and bought decorations for the house, but there is still one thing you are struggling with–what food are you going to serve? The food for the evening can be one of the most time-consuming tasks of throwing a party. We want to help you not spend as much time in the kitchen during this party. Our solution is for you to serve dips. Dips can be served with a variety of food options and can be quite filling. Switch up your party’s food routine and choose to serve a varied selection of dips.

French Onion Dip

This dip is a classic, to say the least. French onion dip has earned a place in many hearts from its bold and flavor-filled taste. This dip can be paired with toasted cheesy bread or crackers.

Pizza Dip

There is nothing more traditional than a good, old fashion pizza dip. Party-goers will love this flavorful dip, and you can pair it with bread slices or pita bread.

Queso Dip

Can you say YUM? If you are a cheese fan, you will be running to this dip time and time again to delight in its creamy deliciousness. Traditionally, tortilla chips pair well with this dip but try adding some soft pretzel bits around the dish.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

This has become a recent trend at many house parties, and we completely understand why. It has a creamy base with a pleasant, spicy kick to it. This tasty dip pairs well with bread, crackers, tortilla chips, celery, etc.

Guacamole

Nos Gusta!! Include this dip for your party-goers to indulge in its creamy goodness. It pairs well with lime-flavored tortilla chips!

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Let us pretend this one is as healthy as it sounds. This creamy dip will indulge your taste buds and leave guests chatting. Pair this dip with toasted bread or tortilla chips.

Hummus

This dip adds a variety to your selection because it is perfect for your vegetarian and vegan friends. We also want to make sure that there is an option available to everyone and having a hummus dip will definitely help to assure you. Buy an original flavor hummus and separate it into different bowls. In each bowl, add a different topping to add variety and flavor. You can create flavors like a roasted red pepper or garlic-herb hummus. Pair this dip with pita and a selection of raw vegetables (celery, carrots, broccoli, etc.).

Is there a dip you love to make for parties? Share your favorite dip with us in the comment section.

From family dinners to gathering your friends for a Friday game night, do you often find yourself hosting everything at your house? If so, you know that hosting in your home can sometimes be quite stressful. Like most hosts, you take gatherings at your place serious which is why we are going to show you how to create an atmosphere that is always ready for guests:

Entertaining Outdoors

Do you love entertaining outdoors during the summer months? Well, when you bring the party outdoors, you will need to make sure the backyard is equipped with cozy accessories. Be sure to load up your back patio with items that make your guests want to relax, stay a while even. You can add plush pillows on hard chairs and soft throw blankets to keep your guests warm. You can also light candles on the table tops to set the perfect cozy atmosphere as the sun sets.

In The Kitchen

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where your guests will feel most at home. If you are planning on having a dinner party, avoid making the prep area off limits. Set out the drinks and platters of food inside your kitchen for your guests to freely enter. Allow them to serve themselves appetizers before the meal starts. By doing so, you do not exclude yourself from the party, but you can interact with guests while you make dinner.

The “Good” China

Think about it, when exactly do you pull out the “good stuff?” It does not have to be a holiday or a black tie event for you to pull out your prized dishware. An intimate gathering is a perfect time to serve your guests with your good china. What better way to make your guests feel special, and get to use your dishware?

Overnight Guests

If you plan on having overnight guests, you should create the ultimate cozy sleepover. It can be done by making sure the guest room and bathroom are well stocked with extra towels, sheets, toiletries, and other supplies.  Keeping the guest quarters well stocked with basic essentials will make them feel comfortable during their stay.

Ample Seating

The one thing that can make or break your an event is not having enough seating. While your guests will likely want to mingle with each other, at some point, they will want to take a seat. Make sure you have seating for at least half of the guests that will be attending your home gathering.

What is your favorite way to entertain? We would love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.