How to Prepare for a Dinner Party/host guests/

Monday, November 12, 2018: How to Prepare for a Dinner Party/host guests/

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Entertaining can be SO.MUCH.FUN. Sure, it means some added work on your part, but opening your home to others can bless them – and you’ll be blessed, too.

I love to entertain – and always have – so I’d love to make the process easier for you.

If asking others over for a visit or meal seems overwhelming, it doesn’t have to be.

First, remind yourself that things don’t have to be perfect. Your guests aren’t perfect and they don’t live in perfect homes and have perfect meals, and they don’t expect perfection from you, either.

Once you breathe a sigh of relief that perfection isn’t expected, it’s time to figure out details. One of the first thoughtful – and these days, necessary – touches is to find out if your guests have any food sensitivities or allergies.

What food should you serve?

If you’ve invited your guests over for a meal, the time of day can dictate your meal plans.

• Having guests over in the morning means you can serve breakfast foods;
• Mid-morning guests might enjoy a breakfasty snack. Or, if you’re planning on serving a full meal, opt for brunch.
• You can serve lunchtime guests a light lunch of sandwiches and salads.
• And dinnertime guests? Well, your mealtime options explode.

Since I’m a wife and mom, my entertaining plans now include family-friendly meals. After serving delicious food but hearing a ton of complaints from young picky eaters, I’ve tried to stick to meals – or at least some dishes – that will please even the pickiest of eaters.

Seasonal meals

Personally, I like to let the time of year guide my menu choices. Some family-friendly options include:

• In winter, comfort foods like soups and sandwiches are good to serve. Or, making a favorite casserole can be warming and delicious. If you’re not vegetarian, roast meat – roasting a chicken, or a beef roast – also can be a tasty, easy option.
• In spring, go for lighter meals. Roast chicken’s another good option, but serve it with a lighter salad.
• During summertime, consider either grilling your food. Meat and veggies are great! Or, cool things down with a big, loaded salad.
• And in the fall, serving chili, hot dogs with lots of toppings is an easy, low-key choice. Or, like winter, choose a casserole or baked dish like a pot pie.

A go-to meal for company

When hosting a big group of people, my go-to meal is a taco bar. I’ve found that even the pickiest eaters can find something appetizing. I like to serve:

• Ground beef
• Cooked chicken breast strips
• Hard taco shells
• Soft flour tortillas
• Lettuce
• Diced tomatoes
• Diced onions
• Shredded cheese
• Black beans
• Rice
• Sour cream
• Guacamole
• Tortilla chips
• Salsa

With that combination, people can make taco salads, hard tacos, soft tacos, burritos, or loaded nachos.

Other easy options

If Southwestern tastes aren’t your preference, breakfast always is a good and easy choice – there’s nothing wrong with brinner for dinner! Make eggs, sausage or bacon, hash browns, waffles or pancakes, and fresh fruit. All are pretty quick and easy to make.

If your guests don’t mind eating carbs, a spaghetti dinner with a big tossed salad and bread would be delicious.

Another easy choice is a baked potato bar. Bake a bunch of white potatoes and serve them with toppings like sour cream, chives, shredded cheese, bacon crumbles, broccoli florets, and butter.

A super simple choice

If the thought of cooking takes the fun out of your entertaining ideas, stick to something simple – like carryout.

Pizza always is an easy choice. (If you’re not in the mood for pizza, choose food from your favorite restaurant.)

How else can you prepare?

Aside from planning your menu, shopping for groceries, and preparing the food, you’ll also want to prepare your home – and prepare yourself.

When preparing your home, remember that things don’t have to be perfect. But it would be nice for your guests if things are picked up.

• Definitely clean your bathroom before guests come (here’s how to do it in just five minutes!) … and clean your kitchen, too.
• If you have time to clean your living room – or another room your guests may sit in and visit – that would be great.
• And if you have an extra moment, try to clean your entryway since it’s the first thing your guests will see.

Finally, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself, if possible:

• Think about conversation ideas, or topics you definitely want to talk about.
• Mull over some questions to ask.
• And, if needed, remind yourself of basic information about your guests – sometimes, depending on how familiar you are, you may need to remember names.
• Finally, before your guests come over, peek in the mirror to double-check that you’re presentable. Then get ready to welcome and enjoy your guests! LINK

As you invite your guests, plan your meal, then prepare your food, your home and yourself, enjoy the process. And remember that in doing this, you’re putting yourself out there as a relational haven for others LINK – and opening your home as a physical haven. By doing that, you’re in the business of transforming others! LINK

If you enjoy hosting guests, what are some entertaining secrets you can share with others? What things do you always make sure you do? What do you make sure NOT to do?

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All images courtesy of AdobeStock and Unsplash.