Epic dinner party fails and how to fix them

Whether it’s because you had unexpected guests show up or you’re just bad at math, be sure to have a contingency plan or two in place when hosting. One option is to keep a stash of dinner party-approved snacks in your cupboard. Think almonds, dried fruits, crackers you can pair with a good cheese and so on. That way, you can set out food for guests to nibble on. The other option is to deputize a friend to be your errand runner. Have cash on hand to give them in case they need to run out and pick something up. And, of course, be willing to return the favor when they host.

Yes, you’re probably going to have to do a little bit of work to finish the meal after your guests have arrived, but you want to spend most of your time with your friends. Two ways to avoid this: Plan a menu that can be prepared in advance and can be heated just before serving, and focus on drinks that don’t take a lot of effort to make. It’s even better if you can make them in a batch ahead of time to serve like a punch, or you can set out the ingredients and a recipe card for guests to make their own. If you do end up in the kitchen, invite your guests in and either put them to work or be ready to decline several offers of help.

Thankfully, this isn’t that big of a deal. Yes, it will be a bit awkward if everyone else is walking in carrying a bottle of red and you’re empty-handed, but you can consider it a style move and be the guest who sends a thoughtful thank you. Sending flowers and a nice note in the next couple of days (no more than three days later) is a perfect solution — and one that doesn’t require the host to do any extra work during the dinner party.

Hopefully, your guests have let you know in advance of anything they are allergic to or anything they can’t eat. But to be safe, plan your meal to include at least a few things that are vegetarian, don’t contain shellfish and don’t have dairy. That should cover your bases. If you’re a guest and you have a specific limitation, let your host know when you accept the invitation, and offer to bring something too.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to get the salt back out of your dish, but you can make it less noticeable. If it’s liquid-based, like a soup or sauce, try diluting the recipe with a bit more water or broth. Adding a starchy food like noodles or potatoes will also help reduce the saltiness, as they will soak up the salt. To avoid this issue in the future, salt it when the dish is almost done to prevent evaporation from intensifying the salt.

The small touches matter to make your home feel welcoming to your guests. So remember these three things: 1. Play music. It will keep things lively and help smooth over any awkward silences. 2. Put a candle in the bathroom. It’s just kind to your guests. 3. Make sure things are stocked. Check hand soap, toilet paper and tissues, and put out a clean hand towel in the kitchen and in the bathroom.