Invite Someone Over! How to Host a Casual Dinner Party in 10 Easy Steps

Sometimes it seems as though inviting people over for dinner is a lost art. And believe me, I get it!  Most nights Dave and I opt for dinner at home, followed by a quiet evening in front of the TV.

But I’ve found that gathering people together to connect over a meal is one of the most gratifying things on earth. 

There’s nothing better than creating a special evening of food and togetherness for the people you love.

If you’re thinking of asking someone over for dinner, the following timeline, tips and recipes will show you how to host a casual dinner party at home.

With these 10 easy steps, you’ll be amazed at how your dinner party magically comes together. Just keep it fun, casual, and simple. 

How to Host a Casual Dinner Party

1.  Invite someone over

Asking people over for dinner is often the hardest part of the entire process.  But once you ask, things are set in motion and fall into place rather easily.

If you’re hosting your first dinner party, to keep things as stress-free as possible, I suggest inviting only a couple of people. And make sure they’re people you really enjoy being around!

2. Plan your casual dinner party menu

Keep your dinner party menu simple.

Try to think of recipe ideas that don’t involve a lot of last-minute hands-on time.

You want to be free and easy when your guests arrive; not slaving over a hot stove.

Once you’ve decided on what you’re going to serve, write it all down, like a menu, and make a grocery list. Don’t forget to add bread, flowers, etc., to your list.

When I host a dinner party, I tend to stick with the same easy-to-prepare menus that have worked well for me in the past. 

Remember, you can easily host a dinner party on a budget.  All of the meal ideas below are inexpensive and budget-friendly.

Menu ideas for casual dinner parties

• Spaghetti with meat sauce, fresh Parmesan cheese, a loaf of Italian bread from the bakery, salad;
• Grilled steak and/or chicken with oven roasted potatoes , side vegetable, salad. (Perhaps your significant other will take over grill duty, freeing you up for other projects, like making yourself glamorous);
• Chili or soup (this zuppa and this fagioli are always crowd pleasers), cornbread or this amazing homemade bread, salad;
• Taco bar (variations: taco salad bar or nacho bar), with cooked seasoned beef and/or chicken, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, sour cream, salsa, guacamole and chips, rice and beans;
  
• Spaghetti, salad, ciabatta or focaccia bread, olive oil for dipping.
• Layered chicken enchiladas, guacamole, rice, beans, and chips.

Dessert ideas

• Ice cream and cookies (have a non-dairy option available, too);
• Brownies or blondies (make ahead);
• A variety of good quality dark chocolate (I always have this as an option);
• Chocolate molten cakes (these seem fancy but are very easy and can be made ahead), raspberries and whipped cream;
• Store-bought cheesecake (you might want to offer a non-dairy dessert option, too).
• Super-easy chocolate-covered strawberries
• An assortment of fruits, cheeses and honey

For more ideas, check out the Magnolia Table cookbook–it’s filled with crowd-pleasing recipes. 

And, if any of your guests need to avoid gluten and/or dairy, I highly recommend Danielle Walker’s book, Against All Grain.

3. Buy your groceries

Try to make a trip to the grocery store only a day or two in advance so everything’s fresh.

If you plan to use fresh flowers or greenery as a centerpiece, buy those, too.  Don’t feel like you have to use flowers to snazz up the table, though. 

I often use whatever I have on hand, such as potted plants, flower cuttings or greenery from my patio pots, or dried herbs. I’ve even used sprigs of curly kale nestled in mint julep cups and bowls of lemons as vibrant centerpieces.

4. Pre-make anything you can

Do as much as you possibly can ahead of time. This includes making desserts, sauces, salad dressings, etc.  

If you’re serving a baked good, like brownies, you can make it several days in advance, freeze it, and set it out to thaw the morning of the big day. 

Chop, slice, and dice your vegetables and place them in the fridge in sealed containers.  This little gadget is my favorite chopping helper.  Also shred any cheeses you’re using. 

5. Get a head start the night before

The evening before you host your dinner party, set the table, including glasses, plates, silverware, centerpiece, salt and pepper shakers, candles, tablecloth, napkins, etc. 

In addition to giving you a head start, this also helps you to know in advance if you’re short on anything.

You might find that you need to run the dishwasher so you have enough silverware, etc., for both dinner and dessert.

In addition, make a quick sweep through the house, picking up (or at least hiding) the clutter, cleaning the guest bathroom (don’t forget fresh hand towels) and running the vacuum cleaner.  But don’t stress about things looking perfect. 

Honestly, I never notice how clean or messy others’ homes are when I go over for dinner. 

I’m just so happy I don’t have to cook I’m oblivious to everything else!

6.  Take care of the little details

On the day of the dinner party, take a look at the menu you wrote out in Step 2.  Set the menu out on the counter so you won’t forget to serve a part of your meal (which I’ve done many times before!). 

Take anything that needs to be thawed out of the freezer. 

Set out recipe ingredients that don’t have to be refrigerated and put them with the bowls/pans you’ll be using. 

Get out the appliances or tools you’ll need, such as a food processor, blender, or grater.

7. Plan your dinner timeline backwards

Set up a dinner party timeline for starting each task by estimating how long each dish will take to prepare and planning backwards from the time your guests will arrive to when you need to start cooking. 

Give yourself a bit of leeway for unexpected interruptions, etc.

Remember, though, that even if the meal isn’t ready on time, you can still take a few moments while you’re waiting to enjoy your guests or just take a little breather.

8. Get cooking

Now you’re ready to cook!

Clear a work area on the countertop and, to make clean-up easier, cover the area with some parchment or waxed paper.

Here’s a weird but surprisingly effective hosting tip: I always put on an apron before I begin cooking – even on regular weeknights when I’m cooking dinner for just my husband and myself.  

For some reason, putting on an apron helps me step into the role of chef. 

I also like to get some happy cooking music going on Spotify.

9.  Set the stage for a stress-free evening

A little while before your dinner guests arrive, assign someone else to keep an eye on the stove and take a break.  

Take off your apron, put on something cute and comfortable, brush your teeth, put on some lipstick and a smile, take several deep breaths, and (this is the most important part) imagine the whole evening going beautifully — see yourself hopping in bed that night thinking about how great everything went.  Sounds corny, but believe me it works! 

If you need a little extra help to relax before you host your get-together, two of my favorite homeopathic remedies are Rescue Remedy and Calms Forte. 

Even though I entertain quite a bit, I still get nervous before our guests arrive, so I often reach for one of these natural helpers to calm my nerves so I can relax and enjoy myself.

Then turn on the porch lights and several lights in the house so your home looks warm and welcoming for your guests.

If you’re using candles on the table, light them now.  Now everything is glowing!

10. Enjoy yourself

Once your dinner guests arrive, relax and enjoy yourself. This helps everyone else relax, too.

Remember, you don’t need a lot of space, and you don’t have to be Martha Stewart.  Just be you. 

Most importantly, remember to keep your sense of humor. If things don’t go exactly as planned, just laugh it off and go with the flow.

Any mishaps will provide you with a funny story to share at your next dinner party.  Because, I promise, you’ll want to do this again.  Happy hosting! xo Jane

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