For some people, inviting people over for a meal comes naturally. Maybe you grew up in a home where you watched your parents entertain. Maybe you have a knack for staying super organized and calm while juggling all the tasks that go into putting food on the table. Then there’s the rest of us: those who want to invite people over but get confused by all the reasons we have to postpone.
Hosting a party doesn’t have to be formal, it doesn’t have to be like my parties or any other parties you see on Instagram. The purpose of hospitality is to bring people together to spend time together, regardless of the size of your home or your culinary skills. Even without the pressure of comparison, thinking about all the things that need to be done before and during such an occasion can be overwhelming.
Hassle-free hosting
I want you to invite people. So I asked my friend (and gracious host) Lisa We’re collaborating with Wit & Delight on their new entertainment series “Come Over For…”. In each post, we’ll share all the essential information to host a fun party based on a specific theme or idea, including a timeline for the day before and the day, a detailed grocery list, and recipes for each menu item. The aim of the series is to make it easy for you to recreate such an occasion with a group of friends and family.
Lisa and I have been cooking and eating together for a long time. She is a beautiful host, gracious and poised for large parties and small dinners alike. She is also a great cook and has developed her own recipes; all of the recipes in this article are her creations. By collaborating on this series, we are exploring a richer approach to hosting that combines our styles and expertise.
Send us an email here You’ll receive recipes, a complete grocery list, and a hosting timeline.
Besides cooking and entertaining, Lisa Hackwith Design House She’s a multi-talented creative, good at what she does, and most importantly, confident in her own creative abilities – something I really admire about her, as half of the creative process is being willing to try.
Lisa and I wanted all of the recipes and instructions in this series to be easy to follow — enjoyable without any extra work — and a reminder that even a simple approach to hosting can make you feel special.
Come join us for a casual dinner party
In our first iteration, we wanted to create a casual dinner party that was easy, beautiful, delicious, and memorable. It was a lot of work to pull off, but we did it. This casual dinner party menu is designed to be special, not just easy to bring to the table. It’s vegetarian-friendly, hearty, and delicious, so everyone will be pleased.
Here’s the menu, including cocktails to start the night:
- Vermouth Spritz
- Sliced fennel, toasted hazelnuts and arugula salad
- Creamy Mushroom Pasta
- Lemon Panna Cotta
Send us an email here You’ll receive recipes, a complete grocery list, and a hosting timeline.
5 tips to make your life easier
Whenever I host a dinner party, I always keep the following tips in mind to ensure a stress-free, enjoyable evening:
1. Create a menu
We’ll take care of itWhen creating a menu for your dinner party, consider the number of guests attending and the steps it will take to get the food to the table. This menu is perfect for up to six people, but you can easily scale it up without hassle.
Another tip: If you want to practice making a new dish, consider making a test run first – make it a week or so before your family or your own party so you’re familiar with the steps.
2. Plan ahead
Let’s prepare in advance so that we don’t have to panic on the day of the dinner party. Lisa and I Timeline Knowing what you need to do before the party and what you need to do leading up to it will help you pace yourself and know how to spend your evening.
For more tips on planning, creating a guest list, and sending out invitations, read this post: “How to Plan a Dinner Party: My Best Tips to Simplify the Process”
3. Keep it simple
You don’t need an elaborate table setting or ambiance. When it comes to table settings, I believe that simplicity is more elegant. For this dinner party, I set the table with just a few things: a striped tablecloth, tapered candles, and fresh fruit. I added some floral arrangements in the nearby seating area, Great playlistand let everything else go.
4. Ask for help
For this dinner party, I arrived early to help Lisa before the other guests arrived. Don’t be shy about asking for help. Help can make last-minute moments less stressful and the preparation process much more enjoyable. Some tasks you can ask helpers to do include:
- Making a Cocktail
- Make salad dressing
- Slice fennel and fruit for salads
- Clear away the dishes that have piled up while cooking
- Set the table
5. Go with the flow
If you plan ahead and do your best to avoid rushing, you’ll be ready to enjoy the moment with your guests. That means things will go wrong. Laugh it off, ask for help, and remember that some of the best memories are created when things go off plan. I’ve never hosted a party where something went wrong. The dessert didn’t set, the tableware was forgotten, the music stopped, the rice burned. It’s okay. It happens to everyone. The more you host, the easier it becomes to just go with the flow and have fun.
Send us an email here You’ll receive recipes, a complete grocery list, and a hosting timeline.
There’s a lot more to come! We’ll be continuing this series over the next few months, and it won’t just be about dinner parties. We’ll share ideas for how to host a simple dessert party, afternoon tea, no-cook lunch, Friendsgiving, and much more. Stay tuned!
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning tennis and will forever be Testing the limits of her creativity. Follow her on Instagram Follow.
