Ideally, a dinner party is a peaceful gathering of friends and family, where everyone can reconnect and enjoy each other’s company.

Realistically, however, hosting a successful dinner party requires careful thought and preparation. With this in mind, here are a few basic tips to pull off a party to remember.

• Set expectations in advance. By keeping your guests informed, you’ll limit the inevitable surprises and unexpected conflicts that may arise. Let them know the type of food that will be served, the appropriate dress, the numbers and types of guests allowed (i.e. if they can bring children), etc. Include whatever details or bits of information you feel will make them most comfortable.
• Prepare as early as possible. By carefully planning far in advance, you’ll save yourself a lot of unnecessary hassle and stress as your dinner party approaches. Think about your itinerary and then locate, purchase, and replace the non-food supplies, decorations, and dinnerware you’re going to need as early as you can. A lot of these items are likely stuffed somewhere in a box in the garage and may be damaged or missing altogether. Also, consider sleeping arrangements if you have family or overnight guests.
• Make your job a lot easier. By taking steps to relieve some of your responsibility as host, you’ll have more time to spend with your loved ones and guests. Consider a buffet-style meal in which guests serve themselves. Stock up on snacks and beverages your guests can easily access. If children are invited, plan fun activities specifically designed for them. And, finally, accept offers of help from others to save even more time.

Please feel free to share any additional tips with us!