So, I had my dinner party last night. Things went pretty well, but I under estimated how much work I had to put into it. I started preparing some of the things Friday night and felt a bit over my head. I tried a few of the cold soup recipes Motorgirl gave. I used the cold soup as kind of meals. Then, I had an open fruit salad bar where my guests could make their own fruit salad. I brought out some pastries from a local bakery. I baked a strawberry shortcake.
Everyone I invited came. I invited twelve people. People weren’t dressed as formal as I would have liked, but it wasn’t jeans and t-shirts. I wore a cocktail dress and heels and felt overdressed. Later on, I changed into a less formal mini dress. I tried to invite someone interesting, but couldn’t really find anyone. I would like to try that next time I host a dinner party.
I had to wash a lot of dishes, because I don’t want to mess up any of my china. I didn’t want to risk it, even though a lot of it said dishwasher safe. So, that’s something to think about. Next time, I’ll buy more wine. I could have had a bit more. I expected people would bring some (they didn’t).I also want to get some nicer tupperware, That’s what I put the fruit in.
Not sure if this is going to catch on, but I hope so.
Congrats!
And now that people know what you are (trying) to do, my guess is the next event will be even grander!
People are sort of timid - and once they realize they are not the only one who will be “dressing appropriately”, they won’t mind pulling out those gowns and suit coats.
Also, now that you know the work involved, you will get better at planning and preparing and maybe even get a friend or two to come in an hour or so before to help with the final details.
Keep an eye out for someone who might be a special guest - and once you find that person, let them know you would like to do something special and get them to commit to the event. Then even send out invites with perhaps a mini-bio of that person enclosed
These type of events take some time to catch on, but once they do you will be getting calls from people trying score an invite!
Again - congrats and now you know how to do it. Hopefully you will become the new Grand Dame of social events in your area! (Might lead to some great party planning gigs in the future as well. Speaking of which, have you thought about maybe doing a dinner that is a benefit for an organization, or for some political/social cause that is dear to your heart?)
Thanks for the advice and ideas. I am certainly going to keep an eye out. I’m even thinking of emailing a few of my old professors I got along with really well. If dinner parties take off with my circle, I might try to bribe them into coming. They were interesting people. I really like the bio idea if I do find a guest.
I might try to go a charity dinner. I’m not really all that politicial, but I’d be open to one of those too if a candidate/cause came along that I could really sink my teeth into.
Well, I did go a bit overboard, but I kept thinking not everyone was going to show up. :o
You should try it. It’s a great excuse to buy nice dish.
If you can’t get an interesting person, you can always have an asshole party. You invite everyone and let them know subtly that one person is the asshole. Their job is to try to guess who that person is!
Hint: Use the “crystal and china” setting on your dishwasher with half the normal amount of detergent and save yourself a lot of time.
Glad your party was a success. We had 6 people over for dinner on Saturday. Ribs, salad, baked potato and chocolate mousse cake. Very informal, though we did forego the paper plates this time. Mmm Mmm.
I don’t my circle is cheeky enough for that to work. lol
No, it was more like a dessert party. I was kind of testing the waters before I cooked and ordered stuff. So, I only ended up baking one thing. It was later at night and went on until the early morning. Everyone was full, though. A lot of people took late overs.
LOL No, I meant like a guest of honor. You know, someone who would bring something really unusual to the mix.
Thanks for the advice.
Your dinner sounds yummy. Informal is nice, but I love having an excuse to dress nicely.
I agree that a dinner party includes dinner. You had a dessert party. All good, but not quite the same.
My friends host a party every year at their club for friends. They hire a really great out-of-town band that comes to town to play at the Tennis Master Series. They order tons of desserts – mousses and creme brulee and strawberry parfaits… Mmm Mmm. They call it their “D&D” party – Desserts & Dancing.
Thanks for informing me my party wasn’t adult enough. :rolleyes:
If it catches on, next time I’ll do a full course dinner.
Yeah, the idea of a full course meal was a bit over my head this time. I wanted to see what everyone would think. If this catches on, I want to do an Asian inspired meal.
I am certainly going to keep an eye out. I’m even thinking of emailing a few of my old professors I got along with really well. If dinner parties take off with my circle, I might try to bribe them into coming. They were interesting people. I really like the bio idea if I do find a guest.