7 Look at your guest list. Don't have too many people over. Limit the numbers. Look at your facilities and determine how many people you can entertain at the same time.
8 Think about seating. Will you have a sit-down dinner? Is the dining room table large enough for eight people? If not, think about inviting six people, or decide to have a buffet.
9 Invite the people you are most comfortable with. “People tend to overlook who they invite and how comfortable they feel with those people,” says Bonnie. “If you're not used to entertaining, have over the people you feel the most comfortable with and who will love you even if everything doesn't come out the way you wanted it to.”
10 Look at how much cooking you can do with the equipment you have. When you're planning your menu, make sure you have all the equipment that you will need.
Read more in Food & Entertaining and Party Planner
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3 Comments
Some great advice. As well, use place cards to seat your guests - it's a touch people appreciate and you can separate couples so that they're not side by side. Since it's a privilege to be invited, as Bonnie Stern suggested invite those people you like - not only will they be less critical, but life's too short to waste on entertaining anyone you have nothing in common with. JZ
Flowers are an essential part of a sit-down dinner. Have a low flower arrangement, one that everyone sitting at the table will be able to see everyone. There is nothing more annoying than talking across the table to someone without being able to look into their eyes.
Flowers are an essential part of a sit-down dinner. Have a low flower arrangement, one that everyone sitting at the table will be able to see everyone. There is nothing more annoying than talking across the table to someone without being able to look into their eyes.