Hosting a dinner party doesn’t have to be a stressful affair. Oh the stories my husband could tell of my first few dinner parties…an 8-hour (beautiful) layered coconut chiffon cake that ate up my prep day, that time I handed him tongs to retrieve a near-charred chicken while I raced to Crate and Barrel for carafes and a pitcher at the last minute, and waving towels at the overly-sensitive alarm system in our first apartment ten minutes before our guests arrived. So, I’ll save you the trouble and fire drills by sharing five tips I’ve learned along the way:

  1. Prep in advance. This should actually be numbers 2-5 as well. I can’t tell you what a difference it makes if you have your table ready to go the day before! Plan out your tablescape a weekend in advance. Shop for it one week out, and set the table the night before. That means napkins folded, glasses out, silverware in place, and flowers watered and happy in the center of your table.

    Decide what your color scheme is going to be: are you using a tablecloth or a runner? Are your linens all together and not a mess of wrinkles? Make sure you have everything you need and make plans to pick up additional items to fill in the gaps. I recently stumbled upon these amazing candlesticks that would be a perfect addition to a fun blue and white table. I always stock up on white, unscented votives, tealights, pillar candles, and candlesticks throughout the year. Pro tip: shop for seasonal goods, including candles, the day after the holiday for the biggest discounts at Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and others. Pick out your place settings: what chargers are you using? Decide on your menu. That’s going to dictate the type of dinnerware (soup bowls or salads, bread and butter plates, dessert plates, and so on) and silverware you’ll need. Williams Sonoma’s French porcelain dinnerware is my go-to. We’ve mixed this pattern, this one, and this one to create our set.
  2. Greet your guests with drinks in-hand. Make sure you have your drinks set-up and ready to go as your guests arrive. Use a spare table, kitchen island, or end/side table and place it right as they arrive. I like to have a signature drink and set it up at a table near our entrance, then have the full bar as in the main entertaining area. Try making it DIY to make your life as host/hostess a bit easier! Write the drink recipe and frame it, then lay out the ingredients, glassware, garnishes, and cocktail napkins (I love these by August Morgan), so your guests can help themselves while you put up coats and exchange kisses on the cheek.
  3. Assign your seats with care. If you’ve opted for a seating arrangement, make sure you tailor it carefully. For example, a colleague who enjoys riding in her spare time might enjoy conversing with your family friend who grew up in Lexington, or a colleague who recently Instagrammed his trip overseas might get along well with your friend who is a photographer.
  4. Prep yourself first. Because when your guests arrive, it’s much easier to set them to work pouring gravy into a boat or lighting candles than helping you with your makeup. Your attitude (and stress level) sets the tone for the evening, so make sure you’re ready well in advance and leave these details to the very last.
  5. Treat bags aren’t overrated. And they aren’t just for kids either. Send your guests off with a fun memory of the great conversations had and the (what’s undoubtedly going to be delicious) bites that were served. You can do anything from candies or macarons wrapped in a cellophane bag and tied with a wired ribbon, or little pumpkins (if it’s fall) with a “thank you” gift tag tied to the stem. Get creative, but make it simple and fun. Have other tips? Share them in the comments below!