Ten Tips For Life
Top Ten Tips: Hosting a Perfect Dinner Party
Along with voting and getting a pension, throwing a dinner party is one of those things everyone thinks they should all automatically be able to do once they become an adult. But it's not as easy as all that. From deciding what to cook to who to invite... the task is fraught with pitfalls. If you're the type that thinks entertaining at home means Domino's on speed-dial and a quick trip to the offie, you've got some serious lessons to learn.
1. Small is beautiful
The feeding of the 5000 was a miracle - don't try to reenact it. Not only will it cost you a fortune, it'll mean being chained to the oven, microwave and the kitchen sink all night. Stick to your nearest and dearest and try and invite an even number for aesthetics and ease.
2. Keep it simple
There's no point cooking a spectacular seven-course feast if you ordinarily struggle with spag bol. Follow the advice of top chefs and cook simple, tasty food well. If possible, ensure one dish is a cold one so that you're not constantly clock-watching.
3. Don't do a Cilla
It's great when it works, but playing cupid can often be more trouble than it's worth. By all means, mix it up by inviting singleton friends of both sexes, but don't expect to be donning a wedding hat and buying confetti anytime soon!
4. Don't do a Keith
A glass of wine relaxes you in stressful situations. Just be careful that that glass doesn't turn into a bottle and your pièce de résistance into a pile of ashes!
5. Do do an Aggie and Kim
There's no need to spend hours scrubbing every nook and cranny but do make sure your house looks clean and tidy and smells sweet. Candles, flowers and fairy lights add the perfect finishing touches.
6. Beg, borrow, steal
Ok, maybe not the steal part but make sure you have enough glasses, crockery and cutlery to keep you going all night - you don't want to be washing up between courses. And be imaginative - if you have a tiny dining table, or don't own one at all, then use comfy floor cushions for an exotic, informal feel.
7. Theme it
Always entertaining, theme dinner parties make picking the evening's menu, drinks, music and decorations child's play. Go hot and spicy with an Indian feast, complete with bhangra music and incense sticks; sultry and Mediterranean with Italian or Greek (just don't think that means you can go smashing the plates to the bouzouki as well!) or grab some chopsticks and go Chinese!
8. Dive in
A buffet is a brilliant way to keep a dinner party hassle-free. Create a selection of interesting dishes, hot and cold, place on table and voila! Watch the vultures descend. Tapas, fondue and sushi are also great choices for easy, intimate hands-on dining.
9. Can't stand the heat?
Then get out of the kitchen! Fire up the barbie, upgrade the burgers and the bangers to salmon and steaks and invite Mother Nature to dinner. Gas-fired BBQs also make wintertime al fresco cooking possible - and ideal if you have a conservatory area where your guests can stay warm.
10. Let your hair down
It's your party and you can cry if you want to. But why should you? The best parties are the ones where the host relaxes and enjoys themselves and doesn't try to run it like a military operation. So grab a drink, eat like a horse and laugh yourself silly!
The feeding of the 5000 was a miracle - don't try to reenact it. Not only will it cost you a fortune, it'll mean being chained to the oven, microwave and the kitchen sink all night. Stick to your nearest and dearest and try and invite an even number for aesthetics and ease.
2. Keep it simple
There's no point cooking a spectacular seven-course feast if you ordinarily struggle with spag bol. Follow the advice of top chefs and cook simple, tasty food well. If possible, ensure one dish is a cold one so that you're not constantly clock-watching.
3. Don't do a Cilla
It's great when it works, but playing cupid can often be more trouble than it's worth. By all means, mix it up by inviting singleton friends of both sexes, but don't expect to be donning a wedding hat and buying confetti anytime soon!
4. Don't do a Keith
A glass of wine relaxes you in stressful situations. Just be careful that that glass doesn't turn into a bottle and your pièce de résistance into a pile of ashes!
5. Do do an Aggie and Kim
There's no need to spend hours scrubbing every nook and cranny but do make sure your house looks clean and tidy and smells sweet. Candles, flowers and fairy lights add the perfect finishing touches.
6. Beg, borrow, steal
Ok, maybe not the steal part but make sure you have enough glasses, crockery and cutlery to keep you going all night - you don't want to be washing up between courses. And be imaginative - if you have a tiny dining table, or don't own one at all, then use comfy floor cushions for an exotic, informal feel.
7. Theme it
Always entertaining, theme dinner parties make picking the evening's menu, drinks, music and decorations child's play. Go hot and spicy with an Indian feast, complete with bhangra music and incense sticks; sultry and Mediterranean with Italian or Greek (just don't think that means you can go smashing the plates to the bouzouki as well!) or grab some chopsticks and go Chinese!
8. Dive in
A buffet is a brilliant way to keep a dinner party hassle-free. Create a selection of interesting dishes, hot and cold, place on table and voila! Watch the vultures descend. Tapas, fondue and sushi are also great choices for easy, intimate hands-on dining.
9. Can't stand the heat?
Then get out of the kitchen! Fire up the barbie, upgrade the burgers and the bangers to salmon and steaks and invite Mother Nature to dinner. Gas-fired BBQs also make wintertime al fresco cooking possible - and ideal if you have a conservatory area where your guests can stay warm.
10. Let your hair down
It's your party and you can cry if you want to. But why should you? The best parties are the ones where the host relaxes and enjoys themselves and doesn't try to run it like a military operation. So grab a drink, eat like a horse and laugh yourself silly!
