How To Host The Perfect Dinner Party (Without Losing Your Mind)

Is anyone else a little nervous each time you decide to host a dinner party? I get nervous regardless if I’m hosting 2 or 20 people! Many of you may not know this, but my background is in event and wedding planning. To say I’m a planner, is just the tip of the iceberg. Hosting dinner or a party of any type is something I truly enjoy, but I do tend to stress out too much over the details. Since having Levi, I’ve learned a few ways to simplify dinner parties but also still leave a lasting impression.

Outsource as much as possible– Not every dish at your dinner party has to be homemade. While I do enjoy cooking and baking, it takes time and energy (two things that are scarce when you are pregnant and also have a toddler). Recently, I hosted a dinner party at our house and that morning, I wasn’t feeling well at all. Instead of spending the morning cooking, I decided to have my hubby pick up the food from a restaurant. Who said dinner parties have to be difficult?

Make It Special- One of my favorite foods in this world is my mom’s potato salad. I asked her to make it for our dinner party, and she kindly obliged. It was a delicious side for our meal, and also added a homemade touch to the meal.

Remember Your Why- Why are you hosting the dinner party? Is it for a birthday celebration? Special holiday? Or just because? My dinner party was a family gathering and when planning the menu, I took into account the people attending and their favorite foods. Of course, you can’t please everyone (trust me, don’t try), but if you are celebrating someone special- it’s always nice to add a special touch by having their favorite food on hand.

Make It Pretty-Even though I outsourced the food for our dinner party, I still wanted to dress the presentation up a bit. Sure, I could have used the cardboard containers the food came in, but they were just ugly. Thankfully, I had my new Thyme & Table pieces on hand as well, which made our dinner party even better! The new line, now available at WalMart is the perfect addition for any dinner party.

Personally, I love the beautiful copper pieces and bright colors available in this line. The wooden cutting board pictured above is a ‘must’ for any kitchen, in my opinion! It also makes a beautiful serving piece! Why not head to your local WalMart and check out these pieces for yourself? I assure you, you’ll want to host a dinner party ASAP to show off your new kitchenware!

What are your favorite tips for hosting a dinner party?