When it comes to planning a dinner party menu, you should know why you are holding the party in the first place. Are you wanting to show off your cooking skills, or are you hoping to mingle with guests? Consider why you are hosting the party and how much time you plan to spend with guests, and plan accordingly.
Long before invitations are mailed, you should have already decided on the menu-or at least the main portion of the menu. Once you know what you will be serving, you'll have an easier time deciding whom to invite.
In order to be prepared, you must know how many guests will be attending. Don't assume you can guess, and don't take anyone's word for it. Be safe, not sorry. Send invitations, and expect an RSVP by a certain date. If you have not heard from your guests by the RSVP date, it's fine to call each guest and ask if they plan on attending.
Foods That Can Be Made In Advance
Whether your event will be a large or small dinner party, make three-fourths of the meal in advance. Dishes that can be made in advance include breads, appetizers and desserts. Freeing up your schedule by planning ahead will make your party go more smoothly, and guests won't have to entertain themselves while you mysteriously disappear into the kitchen time and time again.
Foods that should be served hot-with the exception of bread and soup-generally should not be made in advance and reheated. Reheated foods tend to have texture as well as taste issues. Go fresh whenever possible, but don't overtax yourself on the day of your dinner party. An exhausted hostess doesn't make good company.
Breads: If you plan on serving bread and rolls with the meal, these items can be made the day before and warmed up just before serving. If you plan on serving moist breads, such as zucchini bread and banana bread, these too can be made the day before or the morning before.
Appetizers: Appetizers can be anything from a simple vegetable tray, crackers and cheese or an artichoke dip. Vegetables and cheese can be cut up the day before or the morning of your dinner party, and pate and dip can be made in advance.
Desserts: Depending on what you plan on serving for dessert, it too can be made well in advance. Cake-type desserts, such as layer cakes, brownies or even pies can be made a day or two before the event. Gelatin-type desserts can be made the night before, but pudding-type desserts or desserts that are meant to be served hot should be made just before guests arrive.
 | Planning the best menu for your dinner party comes down to strategy. If you carefully choose the types of foods you'll be serving and the time and order of when they go out, you'll please the palates of your guests. |
 | Putting some thought into party cleanup will minimize your duties after the guests go home. Help yourself by following tried and true party-cleaning strategies that can restore your home to pre-party condition. |
 | If you're holding an informal dinner party, easy dinner party ideas include holding a themed party or asking your guests to bring a dish to pass. Keeping it simple for yourself means you will have more time to mingle. |
Dinner parties are either formal affairs or casual ones. Consequently, planning the dinner party games should factor into your party planning. Choose games which match the intention of the evening, and unless you're throwing a Murder Mystery Party or Casino Night, the game need not be the central event in the party. |
Many people have inherited or otherwise received an expensive set of dinner ware at some point. Traditionally, these dishes were used only for formal entertaining, or holidays when all guests arrived dressed in fancy clothing. Otherwise, the china was kept in a cabinet to protect it from dust. |
