| If you are a seasoned veteran of throwing dinner | | | | can cook everything. A person who cooks a |
| parties, having seemingly served as many people | | | | mean roast beef may not fare so well with |
| as the burger joint on the local corner, chances | | | | seafood. Instead of challenging yourself at dinner |
| are you know what you're doing (or your guests | | | | parties, stick to what you're good at and leave |
| are just too nice to say otherwise). For the first | | | | the challenging for times when your twenty |
| time thrower, or the thrower who has yet to find | | | | closest friends aren't present. |
| their favorite pitch, dinner parties might come | | | | Have a Theme: Pick a theme, any theme. Though |
| served with a plateful of stress. They are | | | | there are times of the year, such as the holidays, |
| supposed to be fun, but the act of getting | | | | when the theme of your dinner party is virtually |
| everything together and making sure everyone is | | | | handed to you on a silver platter, this isn't always |
| happy can weigh on you. That is, unless you have | | | | the case. You may throw a dinner in August for |
| some help. | | | | no particular reason. Even so, picking a theme |
| The following are our dinner party tips, tips aimed | | | | helps you not only with decorations but with food |
| at helping you to keep your guests coming back | | | | preparation. Having a Hawaiian theme, for |
| for seconds. | | | | instance, allows you to decorate with flowers and |
| Plan Ahead, Way Ahead: An improv dinner party | | | | serve a pig with an apple in his mouth. A theme |
| is a bit of an oxymoron, it's just too hard to pull | | | | makes things go that much smoother. Still, be |
| off without planning. Having said that, planning | | | | sure that you serve some un-thematic |
| ahead is the first step in throwing a good dinner | | | | alternatives for people who might not eat certain |
| party. Not only does this involve inviting guests | | | | things or for those with food allergies. |
| weeks ahead of time, and making sure they | | | | Have Enough Supplies: Hosting a dinner party |
| RVSP at least a week before, but it also involves | | | | involves more than just making sure you have |
| making lists of everything you need (don't rely on | | | | enough food; you also have to have enough |
| your memory), and leaving yourself plenty of | | | | plates, silverware, glasses, and, of course, chairs. |
| preparation time the day of the actual party. | | | | Before you throw your party, inventory your |
| Know how long everything will take to cook, and | | | | supplies. If you are short, or think you'll be cutting |
| add two hours. | | | | it close, either borrow or rent. |
| Know your Cooking Skills: You may think of | | | | Relax: Dinner parties are hard work, but they are |
| yourself as a bit of a cooking wizard: your friends | | | | still parties nonetheless. Even if something goes |
| love your cookies, your spouse never complains | | | | wrong, it won't be the end of the world. Relax, |
| about supper, and people, namely your mother, | | | | have fun, and, if the night really starts to sour, |
| say you are the best cook they know. Though | | | | open more bottles of wine. |
| you may be a wonderful cook, don't assume you | | | | |