| Having a dinner party may seem to be a simpler | | | | vegetarian dishes. Assign side dishes, salads, and |
| solution than planning to go out with a crowd, but | | | | desserts while you handle the main dish. |
| it actually can be a lot of stress and work. This | | | | A potluck is a great idea when you do not want |
| does not mean you should not have a dinner | | | | to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. All the food |
| party; they can also be a lot of fun. The trick is | | | | goes out together, and everyone helps himself or |
| to plan the dinner so you get to enjoy the party | | | | herself. It allows you to spend all your time with |
| as much as your guests do. | | | | your guests instead of cooking in the kitchen. |
| Keep your guest list to a minimum. It is a lot | | | | If you want to go all out on a theme with |
| easier to cook for six than for twenty. Take into | | | | invitations, decorations and such, keep it simple. |
| account what your guests like to eat and any | | | | Send invitations by email instead of buying some, |
| dietary restrictions they may have. If you are not | | | | filling them out, and sending them through the mail. |
| sure, ask them. Are they diabetic? Lactose or | | | | Keep your decorations small. A bouquet of fresh |
| gluten intolerant? Find out now, while you are in | | | | flowers is always welcome, but you do not need |
| the planning stages. | | | | to spend a lot on special napkins, tablecloths, and |
| Do not try to do a gourmet meal. This will cost | | | | so forth. |
| you, both financially and emotionally. Who needs | | | | You can always spend just that extra bit of |
| the stress? There are many menus already | | | | effort on presentation. Add a bit of garnish here |
| planned with shopping lists, to do lists and more | | | | and there without overdoing it. Even if your |
| that you can find online. Using one of these | | | | guests bring dishes to the party, you can step |
| menus streamlines your process and lets you | | | | each one up a little by how you present it on the |
| relax. You can do your shopping easily, you know | | | | table. |
| the dishes complement each other, and you have | | | | During the meal, let each guest decide how much |
| a step by step process to follow so you do not | | | | of each dish he or she wants to eat. This way |
| need to stress about preparing the meal. Choosing | | | | the atmosphere is relaxed and enjoyable. If there |
| a menu like this lets you spend most of your time | | | | is a new dish they have never tried before, they |
| with your guests. You only need to run back to | | | | can try a bite or two to see if they like it. They |
| the kitchen to finish off the next course. | | | | can always get another helping if they find they |
| Another way to lessen the stress is to make | | | | like it. Keep the goal in mind: a dinner party is to |
| your dinner party potluck. Have each guest bring | | | | bring people together so they can enjoy food, |
| a dish. You can choose a theme that you know | | | | conversation, and fun. |
| will appeal to everyone, like Italian food or | | | | |