8 Entertaining Tips from a Pro

Keep it simple – This is not a time to try a new recipe. You don’t need 15 apps and 4 desserts. You can have an amazing dinner party over a beautifully roasted chicken, with a couple sides. So put away those insane recipes and do something you know you can execute well. You also want something that will allow you to spend time with your guests. One of my favorite dinners is to do custom pizzas, but it usually requires me to man the oven the whole night. So I make the night super casual, having guests sit in the kitchen with me.

Have apps waiting when guests arrive – My mom is one of the best when it comes to throwing dinner parties and entertaining. One of the things that she does that I have always loved is to have appetizers and drinks ready to go as soon as guests walk in the door. I like simple bites that can be eaten with your hands, and in a grazing fashion, so my guests can hangout in the kitchen with me. Remember to think about how your guests will eat the apps (and all the dishes). So for example, having apps that require a knife and fork, while expecting your guests to wander around and mingle doesn’t really work. Consider the party you are having and adjust your menu for what works.

Hire a cleaning crew – Total luxury item, in my opinion. (The one thing I always say I would get if I won the lottery is a cleaning service to come every two weeks to my house. My husband thinks that’s crazy that this is the first thing I would want. However, everyone who is responsible for cleaning a house with kids trailing behind, destroying everything you just did, understands what I’m saying.) Before we have a dinner party, gathering, or just guests in town, I get a professional cleaning crew to come in and do a good cleaning. It saves me the frustration of trying to get it done with a toddler in tow.

Preset your table/set-up your buffet – When I do pastry tables or buffets for my business, I love planning out ahead where things will go. It allows me a little time to look at it and make sure it looks beautiful. Plus you’re not rushing before guests arrive to set the table. The perfect example of some of the little things that can be done ahead of time.

If someone offers help, take it. – I threw my own baby shower, with the help of one of my good friends. Some of my other girlfriends wanted to do something to help, so I accepted their offers of either borrowing chairs, them bringing a dish, or just help setting up and breaking down. It honestly made the event better, go more smoothly, and took one thing off my very pregnant plate.

Don’t panic if your kiddos get a little extra screen time. – When we have people over for dinner, my daughter loves it. However, she’s also a toddler so she doesn’t really want to sit at the table and chat into the evening. We usually put on movies she loves and she wanders, watching her movie, and usually popping back up at the table to socialize. It works for us, especially if our guests do not have kiddos for our daughter to play with.

Go with the flow. – I’m truly the worst at this, but issues are going to arise despite the best planning. The older I get, the more it makes sense to just go with the flow. You will have a better time, and so will your guests, if you aren’t stressed out.