HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Choosing a menu, experimenting with place settings, deciding who to invite...hosting a dinner party requires a lot of planning and decision-making. Sometimes, however, there isn't any time to worry about any of it. If your friends are coming for a dinner party tonight, you need to pull everything together quickly. Our last minute ideas for recipes, table decorations and more will have you ready in plenty of time.
Invite friends over to share in one of these meals:
Have a special dinner party recipe you always turn to? Share it with Celebrations!
Expectations for a last-minute dinner party are sure to be lower than one that took weeks to plan. Why not have a little fun by putting a unique spin on typical dinner party activities?
- Instead of worrying about who will sit where, leave the seating arrangements up to chance. Assign each seat at the table a number, write each number on a small sheet of paper and place them in a bowl. Before seating your guests, have them choose a number from the bowl. Whichever number they get is the seat they sit in.
- If your dining table is too small for all your guests, have an indoor picnic. Put some blankets and pillows on the floor around a low coffee table to create an atmosphere that is laid-back and fun.
- If there is absolutely no time to cook, order take-out. Your guests will understand there was no time to plan a meal.
- Forget formal place settings. Create a simple centerpiece for the table, set out the food buffet style and let guests fill their plates before sitting down. You'll save time setting the table and guests won't have to fuss over delicate china or extra forks.
The key component to a dinner party is the dinner, the food. When company is coming at the last minute, it helps to have staples already available. You might not have time to create a gourmet meal, but with basic food items, you can easily create a few no-fuss, tasty recipes.
In the pantry:
In the pantry:
- Pasta
- Rice
- Beans ( a variety of types)
- Canned fruits and vegetables
- Marinara sauce
- Flour
- Sugar
- Chicken stock
- Olive oil
- Herbs and spices
In the refrigerator/freezer:
- Cheese
- Plain yogurt
- Milk
- Eggs
- Chicken breasts
- Ground beef
- Lemons
- Peas and other vegetables
- Shrimp
When you have staple food items on hand, pulling together a dinner party menu is easy even if it is last minute. Try any of these recipes for a delicious meal.
Just as the menu doesn't have to be fancy, a casual centerpiece is an ideal choice for a last-minute dinner party. Forget elaborate floral arrangements. Just use what you already have around the house. It costs no money and very little time.
- Candles are a classic choice for the table, so group a bunch of them in the center. It doesn't matter if they are votives, pillars or in jars. Once lit, they will make a stunning focal point.
- For a casual and organic centerpiece, head out to the backyard to collect a few branches. Choose some with or without leaves and blooms depending on the season, and place them all in a tall vase, jar or pitcher.
- An unexpected dinner party centerpiece comes from the fruit basket. Fill a pretty wood bowl or simple white platter with produce such as lemons in summer or pumpkins in fall.
Game Night Party
Tips
Tips
How to Host a Dinner
Party for Kids at
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Party for Kids at
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Orchid Table Display
