Throwing a Gourmet Dinner Party: 8 Ideas That Will Impress Your Guests

Do you love trying new recipes? Throwing a dinner party is the perfect way to test your creations by using your family and friends as guinea pigs.

Even if you don't like to cook, dinner parties provide the perfect excuse to socialize with your loved ones. If you're using your home as a venue, it can also motivate you to do the chores you've been putting off for a few weeks.

The process can seem daunting if you've never planned a gourmet dinner party. We've got a few tips that will help ease you into it. Continue reading to learn more.

1. Pick Your Date

Before you begin brainstorming fun dinner party ideas, you'll want to pick a date. Since most people have to ask off for work at least 2 weeks in advance, give your guests plenty of notice.

The longer you give yourself to plan, the better your party will be. Don't try to rush things.

2. Choose a Theme

When most people think of dinner parties, their minds go to a bunch of middle-aged ladies sipping wine and sharing gossip, but that can be boring.

Sprinkle in a dash of excitement by choosing a theme. While having one isn't a requirement, it will make planning the rest of your event easier. You can use it to make fitting invitations and decide on your entrees and cocktails.

You can easily stretch out a dinner for 6 with a Taco Tuesday bar. Everyone loves breakfast for dinner. If kids are at your party, a build-your-own pizza theme will go over well.

3. Send Out Invitations

Once you've decided on your theme, it's time to send out your invitations. It can be tempting to inform your family and friends about your event via text message or Facebook event, but paper invitations create a bigger impact.

The invitation should cover all the details of the party. You don't want a guest getting lost because they put the wrong address into their GPS. Include a start and end time.

Use your invitations to set the overall mood of the party. For example, if you're hosting a classic dinner party, your invitations might be on the more formal side.

4. Plan the Menu

Now it's time to decide on the star of your show-the menu. The key is to work smarter.

There are plenty of easy meals for large groups that you can make. The best ones will allow you to do some prep work the day before. All you'll have to do the day of is put the food in your oven and cook it.

Consider your guest's dietary restrictions. If you have a vegan friend coming to the event, provide vegan food options. They're not going to have fun if they have nothing to eat.

Prepare several entrees and appetizers to give your guests plenty of options to choose from, and don't forget the dessert. Having a sweet treat is the perfect way to end any party.

5. Make Your Drink List

Your guests will need something to wash their food down with. Cocktails, wine, and beer are all popular options.

The one you choose will depend on the length of your guest list. If you're going to have 10-12 people over, you could end up mixing cocktails all night. That's no fun for you.

In this instance, breaking out the beer and wine will allow guests to grab their own drinks.

Be sure to provide a few non-alcoholic beverages for guests that don't drink. There are some tasty mocktail recipes that are perfect for dinner parties.

6. Decide on Your Decor

If you've decided to go with a theme, this becomes a simple matter of picking up decor that matches. For example, let's say that you want to go all out on a classic dinner party theme.

You'll opt for elegant floral centerpieces and break out the good china. Beautiful wine glasses and candles are also a must.

7. Create a Playlist

Every good party has music. It's recommended to have a pre-dinner and dinner playlist ready to go.

Choose songs that fit your theme and test out your speakers ahead of time. The music should be loud enough to hear while not being so loud that your guests can't communicate.

8. Clean Your Home

The last step is to clean your home for the big day. Tidy up the areas that will see the most foot traffic. In most cases, this includes the dining room, living room, and bathroom.

You can keep your bathroom smelling great throughout the night with a diffuser. Be sure to refill the soap dispenser.

Decorate the space once you've finished cleaning. Set up the bar right before your guests arrive and put the appetizers out.

If you don't have time for all this prep work, there's nothing wrong with choosing a different venue. If you book a dinner cruise near me, they'll take care of the planning. All you'll have to do is invite your guests.

Throw the Perfect Gourmet Dinner Party

The secret to having the perfect gourmet dinner party is proper planning. Choose a theme, pick a date that's far enough out to where your guests will be able to get the day off, decide on your menu, create a party playlist, and tidy up your home.

If you don't have time for planning, consider choosing a venue other than your home.

For more tips that will help you throw the ultimate party, explore the rest of our blog.