We were recently invited to two different dinner parties & what it treat they were. Each was unique with different menus & seating arrangements but what both had in common was that the hosts knew exactly how to make us feel at home & cared for!
So today I’d love to share some tips with you for being a great host(ess) without breaking the bank or your back. I’ve also chatted to Betsie van der Westhuizen, general manager at Maxwell & Williams about entertaining at home.
Here are some great hosting tips that you can use to create a wonderful, memorable evening:
Getting a head start
“Thorough planning will make your dinner party a breeze,” says Betsie. When planning your guest list, it is important to think about how the group of people will gel & get along. If you are doing place names, put some thought into the seating arrangement if the guests do not know each other so well. Consider whether the guests will have enough in common to keep the conversation going the entire night.
“When inviting your guests, ask if they have any dietary requirements. Imagine serving a showstopping meaty pasta dish only to find out that your guests are gluten intolerant vegetarians!” cautions Betsie.
“The more you do ahead of time, the less you will have to do during the evening.” Prepare as much of the decor, food & drinks before so that you can sit & enjoy the company of the guests instead of slaving away in the kitchen.
“There is nothing wrong with mixing homemade dishes & store-bought food items. Ask your local home industry store to make a crowd-pleasing meal in your favourite Maxwell & Williams casserole dish,” adds Betsie.
“Dishes made in one pot or in a casserole dish served with a side salad are ideal. Something like pasta & green salad, curry with rice and sambals or a roast with vegetables & potatoes.” Simple, seasonal & flavourful are the keywords here. This Lamb Rogan Josh is a real crowd pleaser. You also can’t go wrong with my Smokey Red Pepper & Tomato Soup, or try Sam Linsell’s Butternut Soup. End your dinner off with my mini Apple & Spice Bundt Cakes – they look amazing & can be made ahead of time.
Create a gorgeous tablescape
“A beautiful table setting says welcome & provides a wow factor as guests walk through the door. Create a unique look with place cards, candles, & napkins, combined with your favourite Maxwell & Williams dinner set & serve ware. Finish your table setting with seasonal flowers or greenery from your garden and candles. Keep your plates warm in the oven & only place on the table as your main course is served.”
A well-stocked drinks station
These days, it is not frowned upon to ask guests to bring their own drinks to dinner or a braai. However, make sure you also have some drinks on hand. Some wine that will go well with the meal & non-alcoholic drinks like infused water or juice. An interesting welcome drink could be a conversation starter in itself!
Music to put you in the mood for a warm night in
Says Betsie: “Why not pull out the vinyl records or CD’s & ask guests to choose music for the evening?” So nostalgic & fun, right? For a less hands-on approach choose a playlist from a streaming platform. You can use My Relaxed / Dinner Playlist on Spotify or this dinner playlist from Deezer.
Set the scene
If you have a fireplace, make sure its going throughout the night. We don’t have a fireplace so our gas heater does the job. Other ways to create the ambience that you want is by lighting loads of candles. Fairy lights can also do wonders. You want to create little cozy spaces where your guests can huddle together – like around the fireplace or put some chairs in a cosy corner. “Do not forget that guests are likely to arrive with scarves, coats, & jackets if it is cold so allocate a room or closet where all of these items can be stored,” adds Betsie.
Something small & special
“Take time to create hand-written place cards with names & a handwritten menu,” suggests Betsie. “And have smaller blankets on hand for guests who might feel extra cold. Do not forget to check that your guest bathroom is freshened up with fluffy towels, flowers, enough toilet paper & hand cream. End the dinner party by giving each guest something special to remember the evening by like homemade rusks, biscuits or a beautiful Maxwell & Williams mug.”
I agree. It’s the special, small things that really make guests feel extra warm & wanted.
Happy entertaining friends. I hope you are inspired to set a magnificent table & go the extra mile to host your friends & loved ones before the seasons change again.
Yolandi ♥
Images: Provided by Maxwell & Williams