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Entertaining Notions Sections:
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| A great dinner party is like a mini vacation. |
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A little wine, a little Boursin®, a delicious meal, and soon everyone forgets that they have to go back to work on Monday!
So let's talk about how to make your dinner parties unforgettable.
The point of entertaining is to share a bit of yourself with friends and acquaintances. So, be true to yourself. If you're a casual person, don't stress yourself out by throwing a formal dinner party. And if black-tie is your style, don't apologize!
Remember, your guests come to enjoy you and your mutual friends, not to critique your dusting skills or window-washing expertise. So relax, make sure your home is clean and uncluttered, but don't make yourself crazy.
If you're a cook, cook! But if you're not, why sweat it? There's nothing wrong with preparing simpler dishes yourself but leaving the ceviche to the nice folks at the local seafood restaurant.
Recognize your own strengths. If you're a great baker, for example, show off your skills with a magnificent dessert (and don't be shy about the fact that you made it yourself).
Ultimately, being a great host is about making your guests feel welcome and comfortable. Focus on that goal, and the rest will come naturally. In the meantime, here are some tips for dinner-party planning that you might find inspiring.
What's your personal style? And how does that translate into a dinner party atmosphere? Consider these examples:
Silver & Gold
If a more formal atmosphere is your preference, what a great excuse to break out the china and sterling - particularly during the holiday season! Set your table with linens and runners. Add centerpieces and candles. And because people like to be able to talk to other guests seated across the table, not just to their left or right, keep the centerpieces low and simple.
Place cards may sound old-fashioned, but they can certainly help guarantee a party's conversational flow. If you're not using place cards, do make sure your guests understand your seating plan (e.g., "Maria, you'll be here, and Bob here ..." or "Please, sit wherever you like," or "Boy, girl, boy, girl ...").
Shabby Chic (aka Mix & Match)
So ... you've got a lot of furniture and silverware and china and crystal and what-have-you that just doesn't match. That doesn't mean you can't use it all! "Shabby chic" is all about using what you have to create a unique party feel. For example, you can set a table with mismatched chairs. If you're feeling ambitious, dress them up with matching slipcovers or chair cushions. And to add a shabby-chic touch to your table, create a centerpiece using a flea market item - like a soup tureen or pottery piece.
Back to Nature
Whether you've got a thriving garden yourself, or simply know how to shop the produce and floral sections at your favorite grocery store, you've got all the ingredients for a "natural" approach to decorating. Why not throw together a beautiful, bountiful runner that incorporates everything from flowers to grapes to citrus or pomegranates. Stick to a color family that complements your dishes and décor!
Be sure to set the table the morning of the party (or even the day before), while you're still feeling fresh and creative. You may spend the rest of the day cooking and cleaning, but every time you glance at your beautifully set table, you'll be both relieved and inspired!
For more details on Setting the Table, click here
If you have the space, moving to another room for coffee and dessert is a nice transition to the mellower part of the evening. Have all your cups, saucers, cream and sugar, teaspoons and dessert tray at the ready so that you can relax a bit too. Start the coffeemaker just as you clear the plates from the main course so that it will be fresh and ready as guests leave the table. And, don't forget to put a kettle of water on to boil in case someone prefers tea. If possible, make a separate pot of decaf (serving instant coffee is shabby... not chic!).
If you're interested in showing Continental flair, add a cheese course to your menu. Before dessert is presented, but after dinner is served, offer a cheese board and a liqueur or brandy. Click here for a brief cheese board primer.
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