If you’re using 2021 to brush up on your socialising skills after a year of distancing, a dinner party is the perfect way to welcome old friends into your home.

You can host the dinner party in your home, but if you do not think that’s an option, don’t worry! A wonderful get-together just needs the right people to come together and connect. Consider looking for a beautiful event space if that’s what suits your fancy. You can look around online and book a venue in Bristol or wherever you live; you’re sure to find plenty of spaces, whether it’s a small, intimate get-together or a full-blown party.

And, since it’s the first of hopefully many, why not make it extra special?

In this post, we’re sharing a few tips and tricks to help you host the perfect fancy dinner party.

• Meal prep

Although meal prepping doesn’t sound like something particularly on-brand for a dinner party, it can save you a lot of time. It’s always difficult balancing socialising with organising food when having guests over, but by prepping what you can, you’ll have more time to enjoy. Even chopping the veg and putting everything in the right pans will save you time when your guests arrive. 

So rather than slaving away in the kitchen all night, you can actually get the chance to relax and catch up over a glass of wine (or two).

• Complimentary drinks

Finding a great selection of pairing wines or other drinks will really add a sophisticated edge to dinner. There are plenty of guides online highlighting perfect food and drink pairings that you can incorporate into your menu.

Alternatively, if you’re not the wine type, why not create a special event cocktail? Take a fancy cocktail recipe from the web, add a relevant dinner party name, and serve guests when they arrive.

• Think about more than food

Sure, food and good conversation are why we all love a dinner party. But to make it a night to remember, you need to add a few finishing touches. A new cutlery set from Cutlery UK, for example, along with candles, coordinating plates, and a few flowers, can really set the night apart from the rest and make your dinner party feel that little bit more official.

• Dress code

If you really want to take your dinner party to the next level, enforce a dress code. There have been very few reasons to get out of joggers and sweaters over the past year, making a dinner party the perfect time to dress up. Whether you set a theme or simply ask people to look smart is entirely up to you. But if you’re going for elegance, perhaps put a ban on fancy dress or novelty outfits.

• Entertainment

While chatting the night away is always the idea, some people may struggle to have anything to say after a year of restrictions. That’s why making sure there are entertainment options available for when things go dry is crucial. A few trivia cards on the table could help break the ice, or a fun team challenge game before dinner could loosen everyone up.

• Have fun

Just because you’re the host doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a good time. And while all the above tips are helpful, the most important thing is that everyone has a good time. If the food doesn’t go to plan, or you don’t manage to get the perfect group photo, don’t worry. Just enjoy the precious time you have with your friends.