Nine Actions to Avoid on the Day of a Dinner Gathering
Dishing the Deets on a Stress-Free Dinner Party
Hosting a dinner bash doesn't have to be an absolute nightmare. Just ditch these 12 blunders and savor the evening with your peeps!
The 12 Deadly Sins of Southern Hospitality
- Cook and Clean Everything on the Day Simply put, don't procrastinate your chores till the deathbell rings! Says the pro hostess and Senior Editor Ivy Odom, "Don't delay your house-cleaning till the cooking day. Either arrange the cook-and-clean schedule so one's done before the other."
- Stay Clueless on the Menu Don't wait till the last minute to plot your culinary masterpiece. Decide on your delectable dishes ahead of time, allowing ample preparation time and ensuring nothing's amiss when it comes to ingredients.
- Ignore the Empty Dishwasher Greet the day of the dinner party with a dishwasher that's good to go. You'll want to unload it before diving into meal prep so you can conveniently tidy away any soiled dishes before your guests show up.
- After-Hours Grocery Shopping Putting off a grocery run till the day of the party is a ticket to chaos town. Once your delectable dishes are decided, plan to do your grocery shopping a day prior to your gathering. Check your fridge and pantry to see what you've already got, and only buy what's missing.
- Leave the Table Setting for the Last Minute Setting the table the night before, or even earlier if your space allows, ensures you're not scrambling to do it as your guests knock on the door. This task is ideal for the days before, giving you plenty of time to press linens, polish silver, and arrange flowers.
- Forget About the Invites Clear your plans well in advance, and remember, guests need notice too! Plus, it helps when entertaining, as you'll have a better idea of the number of mouths you're feeding. Even if you've chatted plans with your peeps, send a proper invite days ahead with informed details, especially the time.
- Deep Clean the Oven Don't give your oven a deep clean on the day of a big meal. Though the kitchen cleaning products you use daily should be food-safe, some may leave lingering smells.
- Rush the Defrost Never attempt last-minute defrosting of food, which can lead to undercooked dishes and an unforgettable disaster. Make sure to pull anything from the freezer that you intend to cook or reheat the day before.
- Panic and Burn Out While you want to cater to your guests, don't let it consume you and neglect your own enjoyment. The secret to stress-free hosting? Plan properly, and if cooking isn't your forte, consider outsourcing some dishes to local favorites or talented mates.
- Neglect the Drinks A well-stocked bar can be the difference between a decent dinner party and an unforgettable one. So, make sure you've got enough wine, spirits, and mixers to keep the party going.
- Overfill the Menu Aim for a well-balanced menu, not quantity over quality. Too many dishes can overwhelm you and your guests, so choose 3 to 5 standout items that'll satisfy everyone.
- Skimp on the Decor Dress up your dining space to create a warm, inviting ambiance. A few carefully placed candles, flowers, and table settings can take your party from ho-hum to showstopper.
Ditch the Drama and Enjoy Your Party!Hosting a dinner party was never meant to be a hassle. By avoiding common sins, you'll streamline your evening and create memorable moments with friends and family!
- To create a stress-free dinner, southern living expert Ivy Odom suggests planning the cook-and-clean schedule efficiently to avoid delaying house-cleaning till the cooking day.
- When hosting a dinner party, it's essential to decide on your delectable dishes ahead of time and prepare them to ensure that ingredients are present and nothing is amiss.
- To ease the burden of meal preparation, set the table earlier, preferably a day before or even earlier, so you're not scrambling to do it as your guests arrive.
- Instead of procrastinating on grocery shopping till the day of the party, plan to do it a day prior to your gathering and only buy what's missing to avoid last-minute stress.
