8 Stress-Free Tips To Hosting A Great Dinner Party
A successful dinner party is a great achievement for a homeowner but it doesn’t come easy. Stress levels can go way high without the right planning and handy kitchen/dinner helpers. But don’t let that stop you – you can still throw the bash of the year at home. We teamed up with Lazada this season to bring you the best tips and buys, and you’re on your way to being the best host of the year.
Interior Designer: Dyel Design
1. Plan Way Ahead!
Nothing like being unorganised to throw you into a frenzy. When possible, do as much as you can in advance, whether it is hiring a caterer or cooking yourself (plan your menu way ahead!) or buying the wine.
Make sure you get your lists ready way in advance: To do, to buy and to invite.
2. Bar Ready
Get yourself a trendy wine organiser that is collapsable so that you can easily store until the next dinner party. Need more space for the extra bottles? Time to buy yourself a wine chiller to keep the reds and whites chilled throughout the night.
Shop The Sale: Bring out the drinks! Keep them within reach in this nifty wine organiser and pamper your guests with these fine rim wine glasses!
3. Pretty Up
Nothing like a few special touches here and there to make your festive food spread look more scrumptious and delectable – after all, we do eat with our eyes first! Get yourself some pretty kitchenware that will look amazing on your table, especially if dessert is on the menu. A fancy cake stand will instantly make your dinner spread Instagram-worthy.
Shop The Sale: Display your sweets and treats on this simply magical cake stand.
Shop The Sale: Presentation is key! Serving small bites with this cute wooden tray will definitely impress.
4. K-I-S-S (Keep it simple and sweet)
When it comes to your food and drinks menu, keep it simple and sweet. Don’t bother with the gazillion-steps menu. Best ones are those that can be prepped way in advanced and reheated when it’s time to serve. As for drinks, make an easy punch or serve out bubblies to everyone as soon as they walk in the door.
Interior Designer: Distinct Identity
5. Snack Away!
Pre-dinner snacks are always a hit – and a great way to keep your guests happy before dinner is being served. Go for easy ones but are also sophisticated – marinated olives, lightly toast baguette slices topped with smoked salmon and truffle oil, cheese platters.
6. Set The Mood Right
Have a diffuser going to get rid of other odours like pet dander or food cooking in the kitchen. This instantly creates ambiance and your guests will love it. Get your choice of diffusers at Lazada in different sizes and designs.
Shop The Sale: Mmmm... Just imagine the comforting scent of French Vanilla wafting through the air!
7. Get Your Guests Involved
A fun thing to do for dinners is to get your guests involved in the cooking itself. Dishes like fondues, make-your-own-wraps or grill your own meats and veggies are great dinner menu ideas. They get your guests involved and best part, you don’t have to worry about the cooking at all. Just make sure you have the right equipment, like a fondue set.
Shop The Sale: Go big or go home, they say. Opt for this epic 23-piece fondue set that will definitely be greeted with gleeful smiles!
8. Get Good Kitchen Helpers
Don’t spend your dinner party slaving in the kitchen that you don’t get to mingle with your guests! Make it easy with handy kitchen helpers that let you get the job done in half the time or even more efficiently.
Shop The Sale: Utilising a powerful food processor will help make light work of preparing your favourite dishes for your guests.
Shop The Sale: Air fryers are great for getting our fried food done in a jiffy. Not sure what to fry? This one comes with a free cookbook!
Shop The Sale: Getting all that amazing food ready in time for you party is no easy feat. Having a food vacuum sealer will help you prepare your food days in advance.
MORE DOS AND DON’TS
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Do cook smart with one-pot meals, slow-cook dishes, healthy salads.
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Don’t do food that involves constant stirring, flipping, checking, decorating.
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Do check that you have everything (ingredients for recipe, serving dishes, utensils, etc) on hand the weekend before the party. Don’t go shopping the morning of your dinner party.
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Do the hard work first – plan ahead and do things that can be prepared up to a day or two in advance. Don’t leave the heavy-duty stuff for the last minute.
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Do cut yourself some slack. It doesn’t have to be perfect. Don’t sweat over the small details.
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Do delegate – get friends to help or your partner to usher in guests. Don’t do everything on your own.
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Do remember to enjoy your own party!
Interior Designer: Project File
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