Over the last several months I’ve been hard at work writing my first cookbook (which comes out next year, YAY!). My hope for this book is that it encourages more people to entertain in their homes. Over the last twenty years lifestyle experts and bloggers have shown us a beautifully styled life, which is awesome! I love to look at pretty pictures and table settings and get inspired by what someone else is cooking for dinner. My concern though, is that women are seeing these beautiful photos and perfect centerpieces and they find them intimidating. People have started to forego entertaining at home because they’re so afraid they’re not going to do it the “right” way. Please let me encourage you in this truth: there is no right way to eat dinner.
Caesar Chavez said, “If you really want to make a friend, go to someone’s house and eat with him… the people who give you their food give you their heart.”
I love this because it’s so true! There is something sacred about a dinner table. Whether or serving filet mignon or fish sticks or takeout Chinese you will grow more as a family and a friend in the conversations you have over a meal than any other place. So as we head into the summer– which is just ripe with opportunity to invite your friends 0ver– I thought I’d share some easy ideas for hosting a casual dinner party.
1. Perfect One Great Dish – If you’re already a master chef or an incredible cook then you can scoot right onto the next one. But if you’re still a newbie or feel unsure about your cooking skills then just figure out ONE thing you can make really well. For me, for the longest time, tacos were my go-to dinner for entertaining. They are easy for me to make, nearly impossible to screw up and who doesn’t love a taco bar? Don’t feel like you have to try a new recipe each week. Find a standard, easy-to-make dish like our balsamic pot roast and serve it until you can make it with your eyes closed. Then you can move onto to trying something a bit fancier like our favorite braised chicken.
2. Don’t Worry About Decor – You know the best part about hosting a casual dinner party? It’s casual! When we have friends come over I just make sure the house is (mostly) clean and that there’s toilet paper in the guest bathroom. If you’re sharing your life and building community that means you’re trying to make friends, not impress them. There is a time and a place for silk linens and orchid centerpieces… Taco Tuesday isn’t one of them.
3. What Are You Going to Do? – If you’re inviting over friends you’ve known for a hundred years you don’t need to worry about entertainment. But if you’re inviting over new friends and you’re not totally sure how you’ll all interact yet I suggest figuring out an activity. Since we have a pool we tend to host a lot of swim parties during the summer. I’m also a HUGE fan of board games since it entertains guests no matter their age. Next time a guest asks “What can I bring?” Ask them to bring their favorite game.
4. Have Something to Sip – I adore serving a fun cocktail like these Kiwi Mai Tai’s! But even if you don’t drink alcohol you can consider something tasty like our Spicy Ginger Iced Tea. Having a special drink is a cool way to kick off any evening… pun, totally intended!
5. Develop a Routine – Every time we host dinner we do the exact same set up. We use the same tub for the drinks, the same platter for the chips and the same bowl for the salad. Because we’ve done it so many times my husband and children can help me set up in half the time because they know the routine as well as I do. The first few times you host a casual dinner party I suggest making a list for yourself of all the things you need to do. My list always has a to-do and then notes to go along with it. Something like this…
- Buy Ingredients for Salad (what bowl am I serving in?)
- Have Boys clean their room (pull out UNO so they can ask friends to play)
- What am I serving for dessert (ask Jonathan for his cookie recipe)
Getting organized will help you feel calmer and less frazzled come party day!
Need some more ideas on what to eat? Check out our Dinner Section!
Want to get your Party Supplies organized? Check out This post!
