Time: 1 - 2 Hours
STEP 1: Think of whom you want to invite and if there are any dietary restrictions you need to consider. Evaluate your current “life load”—this will help you to decide if you’d like to host a large dinner party with many friends and family in attendance or a more intimate dinner with only a few close friends. Consider how many people you’ll be cooking for and determine the type of cuisine to create together.
STEP 2: Consider fun ideas for your group – maybe it’s making sushi rolls, hosting a blind taste test, or scheduling a progressive dinner. Once you have your theme or activity selected, you can move to the décor and stylistic details for everything from setting the table to the music you will play. See who or what you’ll need for your evening. Think drinks, appetizers, entrees and dessert…Know your audience and get inventive.
STEP 3: Invite your dinner guests in a fun and unique way…or if you are short on time, at least use some creative verbiage and emojis. You may want to hand-address physical invitations or look online for some fun and interactive e-vites. Do what feels right and won’t be a burden to you.
STEP 4: Purchase what you need and enlist helpers. Include your guests in the preparation so everyone feels involved and can host the evening together. This will relieve some of the stress and serve as a great bonding experience for you and your friends/family.
STEP 5: Have a blast preparing and hosting your special night. Ask someone to take pictures for you so you can focus on hosting. Then send all the pictures to those who attended with some great captions.
