Have a good time at your own party

I found this article which has some really useful tips - like make sure you have at your own dinner party too.. we are often so busy ensuring all are guests are well looked after that we out ourselves last.. But, with a bit of pre-planning you can make things easier for yourself so as to relax more and mingle..

"For a dinner party that's as much fun for you as the guests, start with a comfortable outfit that makes you feel great, plan a simple menu that can be prepped in advance and keep the conversational ball rolling."

I tend to often go with their semi-home made approach - that is, I often don't make every course from scratch.. I may buy a classy looking entree or dessert.

Anyway, have a look and see what you think..

Have a good time at your own party | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com

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Retro Food Recipes

A Facebook friend sent me a l,ink to this fabulous Retro Food Recipe site which I had to share..

I am really into themed dinner parties so if you need recipes for a 60s or 70s recipes you need look no further..

Be sure to check out my blog posts on these theme ideas because you'll also need to create the atmosphere..

How to hold the perfect dinner party

Hear of dinner party wars? That is friends competing with one-another to host that perfect dinner party.

Tony Tobin gives hints and tips here about how to make you "the ultimate showman in the kitchen."

He gives some great tips (including the one below) and what's more - there are a number of recipes to consider when planning your next dinner party..

"For finishing touches decorate the top of your table using banana leaves or pin chillies to the hem of your tablecloth. Another tip is to heat up spices in warm water to give your room a wonderful aroma."

How to hold the perfect dinner party

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Dessert Dinner Party Idea

Having the sweet tooth that I do, this article caught my eye!

Danielle E Brown has come with a great idea for people wanting to throw a large dinner party without the massive expense.. just cut out the other courses and go straight to dessert..

"Invite people to your house as you would for a formal dinner party.  Don't scrimp on elegance!  Send paper invitations or classy e-vites and impose a dress code; cocktail attire would be fun and appropriate in this instance.  In a tough economy, people are trying to cut back, so cut back on your budget -- but not the fun -- by substituting a dessert party in place of a dinner party."

And instead of regular wine, your friends can bring over dessert wine..

And instead of your guests bringing some containers to take any yummy leftovers, maybe have some handy yourself?

Enjoy!

Sweet Sunday: Throw a dessert party

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How to host the perfect dinner party on a budget

I like the sound of the following statement because it is just so true..dinner parties are just such a great way to catch up with friends.

"Feeding 6 sounds expensive but cook Annabelle White says it doesn't need to be - and is a great way to get goodwill and good fun flowing through your social life."

You can take your time without feeling pressured to leave a restaurant to make room for the next sitting..

"Annabelle White doesn't do boring dinner parties, right from the start they’re interesting. She says “I find having a large knife and greeting my guests at the door instills a certain frisson of fear - now fear tends to liven up the mood.”

Read more in this article:

3 News > Lifestyle > Story > How to host the perfect dinner party on a budget

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Grab the coleslaw and plan a perfect picnic - TODAY Food and wine

"Nothing screams, “summer!” louder than a picnic. It’s the most relaxing (and delicious) way to enjoy the great outdoors, it is an effortless way to bring young, old and everyone in between together, and all it takes is a patch of grass or sand, some snacks and drinks, and a blanket. It’s an adventure, a feast, and a party all at once, and you don’t actually have to go to the trouble of having anyone over for dinner. In fact, picnics have been potluck since they were invented in France way back in the 1600s, so don’t be shy about asking everyone to bring a dish."

Ain't that the truth?

When planning your next dinner party, ask yourself if a picnic might be the better option so you can enjoy the delights of the great outdoors..

It can be a lot less work but you will still be bringing people together over food..

Dannielle Kyrillos' article is worth a read..

Grab the coleslaw and plan a perfect picnic - TODAY Food and wine

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Surviving a dinner party

"As with all social occasions, your mother will doubtless have instilled in you from an early age the need for good behavior at all times. However the temptation to stray when faced with a soirée compiled entirely of friends of third cousins once removed and their respective partners, dogs and children (most probably in that order) is nothing short of colossal. Here are some top tips for taking up the gauntlet with panache, finesse and most importantly, a degree of enjoyment."

And so begins Alice Cook in her article about how to survive a dinner party..

Her tips are kind of cute .. dress to impress, watch how much you drink, smile and if you get stuck for conversation because4 you have so little in common with other guests.. play the alphabet game..

Read more here..

Surviving a dinner party | News | Houses for sale, properties for sale - Country Life

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