For some people, inviting people over for meals comes naturally. Maybe they grew up in a home where they watched their parents entertain guests. Maybe they have a knack for being extremely organized and calm while juggling all the moving parts of getting a meal to the table. Then there are the rest of us, those of us who want to invite people over but get bogged down in all the reasons we can’t wait.
Hosting doesn’t have to be formal. It doesn’t have to look like my party or any other party you see on Instagram. The point of entertaining is to bring people together to spend time together—no matter the size of your home or your cooking skill level. Even without the pressure of comparison, it can be overwhelming to think of everything you need to do before and during such an event.
Hosting without all the fuss
I want to throw you a party. So I asked my friend (and gracious host) Lisa to collaborate with me on a new entertaining series on Wit & Delight called “Come Over For…” In each post, we’ll share all the essentials for hosting a fun party around a specific theme or idea, including a schedule for the day before and the party day, a detailed grocery list, and recipes for each menu item. The series is intended to make it easy for your group of friends or family to replicate these events.
Lisa and I have been cooking and sharing meals for a long time. She is a wonderful host and a gracious, easygoing host for large parties and small dinners alike. She is also an amazing cook and has developed her own recipes. She created all of the recipes in this post! By collaborating on this series, we explore a richer approach to hosting that combines our styles and expertise.
Submit your email here to receive recipes, full grocery list, and hosting schedule.
Besides cooking and entertaining, Lisa is the founder of Hackwith Design and a multi-talented creative who excels at everything she does. Most importantly, she is confident in her creative abilities. I admire this so much because half the battle of creativity is the willingness to try.
Lisa and I wanted to keep each recipe and step in this series light and easy to follow. It’s fun without all the fuss. It’s a reminder that a simple approach to hosting can still feel special.
Come for an informal dinner party.
The first time, we created a casual dinner party that was easy, beautiful, delicious, and unforgettable. It was so hard, but we did it! This casual dinner party menu is meant to be easy to serve, but still special. It’s vegetarian, filling, and delicious, so everyone will be satisfied.
Here’s the menu, including a cocktail to start the evening:
Vermouth Spritz Salad with Grated Fennel, Roasted Hazelnuts and Arugula Creamy Mushroom Pasta Lemon Panna Cotta
Submit your email here to receive recipes, full grocery list, and hosting schedule.
5 Tips for Easy Entertainment
When I host a dinner party, these are the things I like to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable and stress-free evening.
1. Create a list
We’ve taken care of that for you! When creating a menu for a dinner party, I like to think about how many people will be attending and the steps involved in getting the food to the table. This menu is ideal for up to six people but can easily be expanded without much effort.
Here’s another tip: If you’re cooking a new dish and want to practice making it, consider experimenting first. Make it a week or so before the party for your family or for yourself so you can get used to the steps.
2. Planning ahead
Plan your preparations so you don’t feel rushed the evening of the dinner party. Lisa and I have created a schedule of what to do before and during the party so you have an idea of how to organize your time and the evening.
For more tips on planning, creating a guest list, and sending out invitations, read this post: “How to Plan a Dinner Party: My Best Tips to Simplify the Process.”
3. Keep it simple
You don’t need an elaborate table design or setting. When it comes to setting a table, I think simple is always more elegant. For this dinner party, we set the table with just a few things: a striped tablecloth, taper candles, and fresh fruit. We added a floral arrangement to the nearby seating area, put on a great playlist, and left everything else out.
4. Ask for help
At this dinner party, I showed up early to help Lisa before the other guests arrived. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It can take the stress out of last-minute preparation and make the preparation process more enjoyable. Duties you can assign to your assistant include:
Prepare cocktails Prepare salad dressing Chop fennel and fruits for salad Clean dishes that have accumulated during cooking Set the table
5. Go with the flow
If you plan ahead and do your best not to feel rushed, you should be prepared to enjoy the event with your guests. It’s just that something is going to go wrong. Laugh it off, ask for help, and remember that the best memories are often made when something goes awry. I’ve never had a party where something didn’t go wrong. The dessert didn’t cook, I forgot a specific venue, the music stopped playing, or the rice burned. That’s okay. It happens to everyone. The more guests you host, the easier it will be to just go with the flow and enjoy yourself.
Submit your email here to receive recipes, full grocery list, and hosting schedule.
There’s so much more to come! In the coming months, this series will continue and it won’t always be about dinner parties. We want to share with you how to host a simple dessert party, an afternoon tea, a no-cook lunch, and a Thanksgiving party with friends, among other ideas. Stay tuned!
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and will always be Testing the limits of her creative abilities. You can follow her on Instagram @witanddelight_.
