Dinner parties bring me joy, whether I'm playing host or enjoying the evening as a guest. Last summer, I finally hosted my first gathering in our new home—a delayed "housewarming" of sorts. Though it was a hit, it ended up being a one-off event for quite some time.
This year, I set my sights on bringing more life to our dining room. I'm happy to report I've already hosted twice! We've had a spring dinner party and a summer soirée, both of which were incredibly fun. The best part? Our friends couldn't stop raving about them.
These evenings have rekindled my love for entertaining at home, and I'm looking forward to many more memorable nights around the table.
Over the years of being a guest and a host, I've honed my dinner party skills to create truly memorable evenings. Here are some of my favorite strategies:
Set the mood: Soft lighting, Spotify playlist in the background, and a beautifully set table create a welcoming atmosphere.
Plan ahead and be smart about prep:
Design the menu in advance and prep as much as possible to stay relaxed and present with guests. Take note of your guests’ dietary restrictions.
Btw, not everything has to be made from scratch (unless you want to channel Nara Smith). For my Italian summer soirée, I got pre-made lasagnas from Marcella's, the best lasagneria in SF. This saved time and effort, while introducing friends to a local gem they'd never heard of.
PSA: Hosting doesn't have to mean doing everything yourself. Sometimes, bringing in expertly made dishes can enhance the experience for everyone.
Embrace themes: I love a good theme! My recent parties have been hits with creative concepts:
Spring dinner: A spring forward menu featuring a signature Elderflower Gimlet
Summer soirée: Italian-themed feast with a refreshing Lambrusco Spritz
Personalize the experience: I've started creating custom menus and place cards for each event, adding a special touch that guests love. I bought a printer in 2020 for return labels (IYKYK), and its proven to be a worthwhile purchase since I’ve been able to conveniently print menus and place cards at home.
Get creative with appetizers: Instead of the predictable cheese and charcuterie board, I started offering melon, prosciutto, and burrata plates. My guests loved the fresh take on a classic cheese board.
My top tips for elevating any dinner party:
Greet guests with a signature cocktail (and a non-alcoholic option)
Use place cards to encourage interesting conversation pairings
End on a sweet note: Serve a DIY dessert bar with various toppings for ice cream or a simple cake (if you’re not into baking, get the Berry Chantilly Cake from Whole Foods—TRUST)
Offer a thoughtful parting gift: I make custom matches for friends to take home as a memento
Don't let the idea of hosting intimidate you—if I can pull this off, so can you. Start small, experiment, and watch as your confidence grows with each gathering. Before you know it, you'll be creating evenings that blend great food with even better company. And don’t worry about making everything perfect; it's about bringing people together and enjoying the moment. Your unique touch is what will make these nights truly special.
Let me know your thoughts about this newsletter. I’d love to hear what you liked, what didn’t resonate or any other thoughts.
Until next time!
Angela
Follow me on Instagram at @linkswesendfriends