Hosting my first dinner party ... any suggestions?

[GregW]

Will probably be ~ 13 people including me ... I will have it catered, so no concern about cooking serving. Main dining room table will seat 8, breakfast table will seat the remaining 5.

This is my first attempt at this ... any tips? I'll be calling the caterer this afternoon, any thing I should specifically ask for or be aware of?

[judge_smales]

1. Keep everybody drinking

You'll be more relaxed and any mistakes are more likly to go unnoticed.

[GOPisEvil]

2. Ask your guests if they have any food allergies.

Who's providing the alcohol? You? Hiring a bartender or flying solo?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Yes caterers prices vary and pasta and chicken are the least expensive

I need a bit more info on the nature of the party, but you should have about three appetizers for that many people.

Plan on one hour of cocktails and appetizers, then dinner.

Get twice as much white wine as red, usually white wine drinkers outnumber red wine drinkers.

The allergy question is a good one...avoid nuts..and make sure none of your guests are vegetarian, if they are clarify if it is lacto ovo or vegan.

[niyad]

4. make sure you have candles and flowers, sets the mood

wonderfully. (and that way, you don't have to be frantic and feel that everything is not perfect)

above all, relax, and enjoy-- your guests need to know you are having a good time.

oh, just in case!!!!! know which one of your local supermarkets has great take-out !!!

[bluefire2000]

5. If you have a good friend attending

ask/assign them to help out if you get backed-up with hosting duties.

[donco6]

6. A toast is always nice

To thank everyone for coming and sharing the evening.

I agree - 1 hr with wine and appetizers, then dinner.

Candles - essential.

Flowers - big plus.

Bottom line - have fun, laugh, enjoy the company. Dinner parties are a blast.

[OneBlueSky]

7. might want to have something like this . . .

playing in the background . . .

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005YIDZ/qid%3D1067024433/sr%3D11-1/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F1/102-7409305-9512966

good luck . . . have fun . . . :)

[meegbear]

8. Good tip from Queer Eye ...

go to a discount store and buy your glassware there - usually $1 a glass. You can make the party look more elegant and if they break, you won't care.

[Kamika]

9. make sure every other seat is male - woman

so you dont put two guys beside eachother it should be male-woman-male-woman -male etc etc etc.

About flowers.. dont have TOO big arrangements so they get in the way

[sandnsea]

10. Have fun!!!

Forget having a perfect evening or being a perfect host or any of that nonsense, just have a great time. If you're enjoying yourself, everybody else will too!

[grasswire]

11. place cards are a big help

That way you can control the dynamics and make sure that the more outgoing guests are interspersed with the less outgoing. Mix it up so couples aren't sitting near each other.

Don't get fussed over any glitches. If you are happy and at ease, everyone else will be too.