How to Host a Stress Free Small Dinner Party at Home
Yes you can enjoy your own dinner party! The 3 keys to hosting a stress-free dinner party are to keep it simple, do as many chores as you can ahead of the big day, and prepare as many dishes as you can ahead of your guests' arrival.
Steps
Keep it simple: Limit the guest list to eight people, six is even better. Choose a neutral table setting that lets your colorful centerpiece flowers pop. Serve no more than three courses. Feature only one "fancy" dish. Plan a mostly make ahead menu with few items that need last minute kitchen time.
Do ahead. Two weeks in advance, invite your guests and choose a menu with mostly make-ahead dishes. A few days ahead, shop for the non-perishables and clean house. The day ahead, shop for the perishables and set the dinner table and do a last minute clean of the bathroom and living room. Prepare your make-ahead recipes the day before or in the morning of your dinner party.
Tips
Remember that your guests are the real stars of the evening, not your food. The food is only your pleasant excuse for getting together, so don't worry about putting on a gourmet restaurant spread.
Never serve a dish you haven't made before. This way you avoid disasters like apologising for a recipe that doesn't taste the way you hoped it would.
You are part of the company and your guests expect to talk with you. Keeping it simple means you get to spend time with your guests instead of in the kitchen.
Don't get nervous about choosing wine. If you're not sure what to serve, just go to your local wine store and ask for something simple and inexpensive that most people are likely to enjoy. Remember people love to give advice, and wine store staff are no different!
Check the ingredient list for every recipe against your pantry contents. Make sure you already have the item on hand or add it to your shopping list. This has the added bonus of preventing you from buying duplicates!
In your last minute schedule be sure to include time for you to get dressed, set out the appetizers, put on the dinner music and - yes - sit down for a few minutes before your guests arrive. Wow! What a stress-free way to start enjoying your own dinner party.
No image available.
Round Hill Contra Dances
Round Hill is more popularly known around the Greenwich area by the contra dances they hold regularly. These well-loved traditional country dances have been in existence for over 20 years and are still in vogue among the young and old.
Round Hill Country Dances is one of the sites offering contra dance lessons for newcomers and dance venues for those who love contra dancing. They host dances on the second Saturday of each month, as well as on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. They also hold three special workshop events during the year. According to Round Hill Country Dances, the average dance attendance they have is between 100 and 120 people.
The Round Hill contra dance has been described as a "friendly, hot dance." It has many types from the classic and the modern active dance to the square dance.
For more information on having contra dance lessons or to join the Round Hill contra dance events, please visit
Round Hill Country Dances.
Round Hill Limousine Service (800) 720-2021
Hire a limo for your weddings, birthdays, proms, and romantic dates, or treat your guests and clients to a limousine shuttle service for a tour around town, to and from hotels and airports, and during special corporate events. And for your limousine service needs only one name can be trusted: Fairfield CT Limo. Five years of first-class quality limo service by our professionally trained chauffeurs and staff have earned Fairfield CT Limo a reputation as the limo company to hire for every function or occasion. Our stable of limousines is widely arrayed from simple elegant town cars to stylish sedans and luxurious stretch limousines. Our services cover all locations in Fairfield County, Connecticut.