Episode 11: How to Host a Fancy Dinner Party Plus Holiday Tips

This episode is all about how to properly host a dinner party- victorian style! Just kidding, but stay tuned for some serious hosting how tos as well as tips specifically for Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving and Christmas parties and game nights. We also will be discussing how our Domestic Dares went last month and of course, we’ll end with some things we’re loving lately in our Pillow Talk segment. So put your fancy pants on and get your small talk topics ready. Pinkies out, friends!

Segment #1: Highs and Lows

Kimmy: Surgery/Cookbook

Bre: French Press/ Poshroom inventory

Emily: Boys beds WILL work/ not getting a bunk bed

Discussion: How to Throw a Fancy Dinner Party plus Holiday Party Tips

Many reasons why hosting a dinner party is a great idea!

Get to know or hang out with your extended family, neighbors, coworkers, new friends, old friends, etc.
Test your master chef skillz
Excuse to dress up and more
Most importantly- Show off your home!

Guest List and Invitation:

Snail Mail, Evite, Phone Call, Text, Social Media DM, FB Event
3 Weeks Notice is a good timeframe
Start with Small Number and maybe close friends/family
Ask for any dietary restrictions or aversions
If you know dinner won’t be ready right when they get there either have appetizers or tell them ahead of time when you plan to eat so they aren’t starving while they wait

Choosing the Menu:

Try to find out what your guests like to eat - stalk their social media and Pinterest boards
Maybe pick something you’ve never made before but if possible practice beforehand!
If you’re worried about time, pick a meal that you can prep food or even make a lot ahead of time
Consider doing a few courses- the Victorians always had at least 5 and could have up to 14 in one sit down!

Prep Ahead of Time:

Buy groceries a couple days before if you have the time or order a grocery pick up

-Don’t forget water and ice especially if you don’t have good tap water

If you picked a meal you can make ahead or at least prep ahead, do it especially the dessert
Also prep your home ahead of time by cleaning your living space, kitchen and bathroom dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the toilet, etc. the night before if possible
Set your table up ahead of time!

Tablescape:

Table linens - table cloths and napkins make it feel cozier and fancier
Fresh Flowers or plants or dried flowers or even faux stems- but make sure the centerpiece isn’t blocking people’s view of eachother! Sprinkling fresh eucalyptus as a center garland too
Candles but not super scented so they don’t detract from the food smells or mix weirdly
Place settings: Charger, Dinner plate, salad plate, appetizer plates, soup/salad bowl, glass for water, wine glass for cocktail/mocktail/wine, fork, spoon, knife
Placecards- maybe tied into napkins and placed on dinnerware or just folded tent card on side- note: pick to sit people so it keeps conversation going and doesn’t make it awkward- mix the introverts with extroverts and no cliques!

Large Gatherings: Tablecloths help to bring uniformity among differing tables, use benches for extra seating. Large roll of Kraft paper as table runner and crayons for kids

Ambiance:

Playlist that can last the whole night
Low Lighting
Candles as mentioned before

Upon Guests Arriving:

Greet them and take their coats - have a designated spot for coats, purses, shoes, etc.
Have adequate seating for them to take their shoes off in entryway
Offer a drink immediately
Offer a house tour to new guests and show them where the bathroom is
Introduce them to other people if they don’t know eachother and find a relatable talking point

Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving Tips:

Potluck it and prep ahead as much as you can
FUN Idea: Switch up the Friendsgiving and ask every guest to bring the weirdest kitchen utensil that they must use to eat their food with - aka Poverty Dinner or Crazy Utensil Supper

Christmas Party and Game Night Tips:

Don’t be shy about making it a potluck and asking guests to bring an app to pass!
White Elephant Gift Exchange Game with a theme
Playlist - Kimmy’s Spotify Christmas Playlist
Fishbowl or 4 On a Couch - have pens and small pieces of cut-up paper ready to go. I also have a jar just with pens in it for parties