There are so many things to do and remember when planning a sit-down dinner, that you might wonder if you will ever have the time to do exactly that. Some timesaving tips can make it all run smoothly. I know, for there I have been. Consider some of the following ideas the next time you plan to have some people over for dinner.
Make sure you empty your dishwasher and garbage can before your guests arrive as this will make after party cleanup much easier. Dealing with children and pets isn’t quite that simple. If you can, send children off to a sitter, if you can’t, whatever you do, don’t make them perform for your guests. Nothing can be more dismal than watching an overly preened child struggling through the complex concertos Chopin or Mozart on the family piano. Children and dinner parties do not mix well and even if children are older and can pitch in, they should exit stage left after all guests have arrived.
As far as pets go, there’s little to worry about in terms of concertos and musical instruments, but there are allergies and other considerations. Comfort, feed and try to confine pets before a party, as dogs, particularly, have a most embarrassing way of saying hello to guests. Cats are suave, but still they can get underfoot and one of mine is always on the table. I pretend to be appalled and reprimand her when company is there, but she knows nothing else and she is right when she looks at me as if to say, “What did you say? The table was okay yesterday.”
Avoid pre-dinner appetizers. It’s like having a sandwich before dinner and they present a lot more work for you, the host or hostess. Stick to drinks and conversation before the meal. The food will be along soon enough. Use chips and dips or some cheese samples if you must, but leave the intricate hors d’ouevres and samplers for weddings, confirmations and bar mitzvahs.
Have a good time and eat hearty.
Related Reading:
“Cool Cocktail Parties”
http://forums.families.com/easy-party-ideas,t36833