Dinner party countdown
Too stressed to have fun at your own party? Never again! Here's a step-by-step plan for a bang-up bash.
Simple steps for a bang-up bash
Two weeks before
Start phoning everyone you’d like to invite. Or, send e-mail invitations. They’re instantly delivered and easy to reply to. Evite.com lets you design your own and tracks guests’ responses. Include a date by which to RSVP and directions to your home.
One week before
Plan the menu. For smaller gatherings (6 to 8) you can allow for a more complicated menu. If you are having a bigger group, choose make-ahead dishes and tried-and-true favourites, and serve everything buffet-style. Make a comprehensive shopping list—include staples you may be running low on, such as candles and beverages. Check your linens, tableware and serving dishes and replace or borrow missing pieces. Have an emergency place setting on hand in case an extra person shows up. Think about what kind of ambience you’re hoping for—formal, or casual and fun? Decide on table settings, flowers and candles.
Two days before
Soups, stews, and casseroles all taste better after a couple of days in the fridge, so prepare these items ahead of time. Don’t be tempted to do an advance clean-up—if you have kids in the house, it will be messy again by party time. Call anyone who hasn’t yet RSVP’d.
The day before
Arrange and set out flowers. Choose an outfit and make sure it’s clean. Clean out the fridge to make room for party foods. Finish any night-before food prep like marinating meat or making a dessert.
The morning of the big day
Pick up any last-minute or fresh items you’ll need. Work backwards from serving time and calculate when food needs to be reheated or put on the boil. Prepare vegetables and have them in their pans ready to go. Make any salad dressings and sauces.Take anything out of the fridge that needs to be reheated to speed cooking time. Warn your family that, later that day, you’ll need a quiet hour to yourself. Have on hand a video, game, or new book to keep kids entertained.
The afternoon of the big day
Tidy the party rooms and clean the bathrooms. Period. No one will notice if the house is less than sparkling if your house is aglow in candlelight and flowers. In the kitchen, take a tip from top chefs and clean as you go. Set the table and have glasses ready for pre-dinner drinks. Lay out serving dishes and label what’s going to go into them. Have the coffee maker ready to be switched on for dessert. Wash salad greens, wrap in paper towels and store in serving bowl in the fridge. Put anything that needs to be reheated or cooked at the last minute in pots and pans on the stove.
One hour before
Take a quiet hour to relax. Linger in a hot bath with a glass of wine, perfect your hair and make-up, and dress at a leisurely pace.When the doorbell announces the arrival of your first guest, turn on some music, light the candles and open the door.
You’re ready!
