Table of Contents
Start Smart
Plan Your Menu
Set the Scene
Delight Guests
Clean Like a Pro
There’s nothing quite like gathering around a table with friends and family to share a feast. The thought of putting together a dinner party on your own? Not as heartwarming! But we’re here to tell you that having people over doesn't have to be overwhelming. With some forethought and a little creativity, you can pull off the dinner party of your dreams—even if you’ve never organized one before.
Planning a dinner party introduces a whole host of questions: What should I serve? How much should I serve? Will I be cleaning into the wee hours? Aaaah! But there’s good news: Good Housekeeping has a ton of experts (that’s them below) who will help you address these questions and many more.
First things first: Spread the word! Send out invitations sooner rather than later. Having a clear idea of the number of guests is key for successful planning. Pick a date, then send out invites via text or use an online party platform like Partiful or Eventbrite. Next up:
- Pick a theme. A unifying idea can help bring all the pieces together. For planning purposes, leaning into a concept gives you structure to build around when deciding on a menu, decor and all the other small details. “Shaping an event around a singular theme can be a great way to ease into hosting,” says Assistant Food Editor Joy Cho. "The sky’s the limit for theme ideas too! From holidays, pop culture references and random interests to a single ingredient or cuisines, everything’s fair game. In the dead of winter, how about a “cozy” theme with chili and IPAs with buffalo-plaid decor? Is it citrus season? Pick a menu, a drink and decor featuring your favorite oranges.
- Make a list. After tallying the RSVPs, write a “production list” of ingredients to buy, make-ahead components of recipes and day-of tasks.
The dinner decisions
When thinking about food, first find out if your guests have any strong dislikes or dietary restrictions. “After that, I often ask if they are adventurous eaters to gauge whether they’d be willing to try new dishes,” says Chief Food Director Kate Merker. “How they answer determines how much flexibility I have with the menu.” Then have these strategies in mind:
- Keep it simple. Opt for one main, then go with a few sides that complement that dish.
- Embrace room-temperature. Choose at least a couple of items that are just as delicious at room temp as they are piping hot. Roasted vegetables are great candidates.
- Prep ahead. Stews, soups and saucy sautés can be kept over low heat without drying out. Finish them off with an acid or pinch of herbs to liven ’em back up.
Q: What drinks should I serve?
Before Dinner: As guests gather, serve aperitifs. These are sips that spark the appetite without getting guests (too) tanked. The easiest is sparkling wine. It’s a snap to serve, and it happens to pair well with pre-dinner nibbles like cheese, charcuterie and popcorn. Depending on your budget and number of guests, your choice could be Champagne. For a slightly less expensive option, consider cremant, French sparkling wine made in the champagne method but from outside the namesake region. For an even better value, go farther afield to Spain, which produces cava: This is a delightful sparkling wine made in the methode champenoise, but with brighter notes and less of the complex aged flavors that are prized in true champagne.
Or consider spritzes as a low-maintenance aperitif you can set out for guests. There’s a reason this category of drinks is so popular pre-dinner in Italy, France and other parts of Europe. Classic spritzes have a pleasantly bitter profile that stimulates the appetite and they’re usually light and not as high-octane as most cocktails, like margaritas. These fizzy bevs are easy on the host as well because they don’t require much — if any — measuring.
Don’t forget to have a few nonalcoholic options on hand too.
With the Meal: Plan for around three glasses of wine per guest — some will drink more, others less or none. A standard 750-ml bottle holds five glasses, so for a party for six, here’s the math: (6 x 3) ÷ 5 = 4 bottles. (Always round up!)
After Dinner: Keep the vibes going beyond the meal. Break into the whiskey, brandy, amaro or dessert wine. Brew a batch of coffee or offer shots of espresso. For the non-caff crowd, set out a selection of nice herbal teas.
Once the menu is finalized, focus your energy on creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Assemble a beautiful tablescape featuring your perfected table-setting skills and stunning servingware.
Q: I don’t have enough matching plates. What should I do?
No worries! All you need is a fun tablecloth to pull everything together. A patterned linen can unify mixed colors and metals, so it’s an easy solution. Invest in some durable cloth napkins too: Not only do they feel fancy and look lovely, but also they can be reused year after year and help you achieve a more cohesive look. For the centerpiece, stick with a low arrangement of flowers or candles so nothing will block table conversation. (Save taller options for a buffet setup or a bar area.)
Time to serve! Here's how to avoid the scramble.
To stay organized, tag each dish with the name of the food that will be cooked and/or served in it (remove the stickers before filling!).
Kitchen Appliances Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou loves a cohesive look, whether it’s all from the same collection or a bunch of mix-and-match pieces. “I primarily opt for oven-to-table ware, so either I can cook in an item and bring it straight to the table — which means fewer dishes later! — or I can keep things warm in it,“ she says. “A lot of cookware, like a Dutch oven or a pretty casserole dish, can also double as servingware. Materials like cast iron and options with lids help to keep food warmer longer too.” Here are a few of her favorites:
Fable Serving Ceramics Set
This servingware is hand-finished and comes in a nine-piece set. We love that the bowls nest, which is key for storage and easy handling.
East Fork Weeknight Serving Bowl
These beautiful bowls, made by artisans in Asheville, North Carolina, have a heft and feel that make them stand out. Each bowl measures about 10 inches wide and only 2.5 inches deep.
Looking for a chic, oven-friendly option? Check out these ceramic stoneware platters, which feature a scratch-resistant glossy interior.
Made of glazed earthenware, this set of three dishwasher-safe platters is designed for long-term durability. Plus, the loop handles make for easy carrying from the counter to table.
"These are amongst my favorites. I love being able to cook and serve in them. They clean up well, too," says Papantoniou.
How to welcome guests
- Be prepared. Expect your first guests to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time. (If no one shows up early, well, you’ve just carved out a few minutes to breathe before everyone comes over.) Set out a few snacks for guests to nibble on — no help needed on your end.
- Accept help. Guests who arrive on the earlier side can jump into simple assignments — it’ll give folks something to do while they’re standing around.
- Add finishing touches. Leave a lasting impression with a few thoughtful details.
Don’t let the evening’s mess get ahead of you. Here, Good Housekeeping’s cleaning guru, Home Care and Cleaning Lab Executive Director Carolyn Forte, shares her top tips for before, during and after the party.
Trish (she/her) is the deputy food editor at Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things food, from cooking trends and delicious recipes to top-tested kitchen products and grocery finds. She has more than a decade of experience writing about food for GH, Women’s Health, Prevention, Redbook, Woman’s Day, The Daily Meal and Food Network. When she’s not at the supermarket or trying out a new recipe, you can find her at the beach, in her backyard or on the couch — typically with a glass of wine in hand.
