Tips for hosting the perfect dinner party
Families
Coordinating around sleeps, temper tantrums, fussy eaters etc can make entertaining difficult for young families but don’t stick your head in the sand. Keep your dinner party in line with this season of life by hosting a potluck dinner.
Invite
This is a great opportunity to get to know the parents of some of your kids’ friends so invite families from school, your mothers group or people you know from swimming lessons.
Serve
By going potluck style you take the pressure off yourself and ensure that there is food to suit all of your guests. You could leave it up to chance or you could instruct families in their invitation to bring a starter, side, main or dessert.
Intrigued? Read more about planning a potluck dinner >>
Atmosphere
Keep it casual, colourful and fun. This relaxed party takes the focus out of the kitchen so you have time and effort to put into preparing the atmosphere. According to popular family blog, Simple Mom, if you think about the kids in advance and look after them, it will enable the adults to enjoy themselves as well. Things like a separate table for eating, organised activities and kid-friendly food will ensure that parents are able to relax and enjoy some adult conversation.
Empty-nesters
You no longer have to worry about driving the kids to activities or spending all weekend on the sidelines of a soccer field so put that time to good use and host a leisurely brunch.
Invite
Here is a great opportunity to invite the kids back home for a meal or enjoy your other empty nester friends, it doesn’t have to be a formal invite, it could even be a “do-drop-in”.
Serve
Brunch is very open to interpretation when it comes to deciding what to serve. You don’t have to do the barbecue egg, bacon and sausage brekkie. Try toasted croissants, a breakfast casserole, fresh fruit with yoghurt and muesli and make it buffet style.
Atmosphere
Think relaxing music, sitting on the balcony, seasonal produce and natural decorations. Use conversation starters to keep the conversation interesting.
More party hosting ideas
How to be the hostess with the mostess
Best food and wine pairings
Easy appetisers for entertaining
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