Try an 80s theme for your next dinner party idea?

The 1980s was a period of renewed optimism and economic liberalization. A new middle class emerged – “the yuppie”

Wikipedia says: “College graduates in their late 20s, early 30s were entering the workplace in prestigious office professions, holding more purchasing power with which they purchased trendy, luxurious goods. The decade witnessed a religious revival and the rise of conservatism, which began with a backlash against disco music late in 1979.

The eighties are also well known (and often ridiculed) for the popular culture of the time such as the over-the-top fashion, big hair styles and the commercialization of music and film.”

What was “hot” in the eighties? These will give you inspiration for the way you could dress, your hair and the music you play..

- shoulder pads
- both men and women began to wear loose shirts (tucked in) and tight close fitting pants. They also wore loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts or sweaters with the sleeves scrunched up to the elbows
- Big rand names included Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein
- Big, messy hairstyles were popular - similar to those worn by women in the 1940s or the mullet or jerry curl
- Bright and colorful make-up or the five o’clock shadow for men who wore t-shirts with the “Armani” style jacket over the top
- The film Flashdance or TV shows like Dallas, Dynasty and Miami Vice
- Ray ban sunglasses
- Pastel colors dominated clothes and acid-washed jeans
- Cyndi Lauper, Madonna (Material Girl), Michael Jackson (Thriller) and the moon walk in the U.S.
- or New Wave and Synthpop like Duran Duran, New Order, Tears for Fears, Bananarama, Soft Cell, Depeche Mode, etc
- don’t forget Heavy Metal like Van halen, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, etc
- House music or hip hop and rap
- Music chart toppers included Pat Benetar, Billy Idol, Guns ‘n’ Roses, New Kids On The Block, Robert Palmer, The Police, Lionel Ritchie, Phil Collins, Huey Lewis, John Farnam, Dire Straits, Eurythmics, Queen, U2, Prince – you get the drift?

What can you cook?

People became more health conscious in the 1980s. Pasta, which is low in fat and a good source of carbohydrates, really took off. The focus was on cooking with speed – with the introduction of the microwave meals could be cooked in minutes. Although people enjoyed delicate cuisines, hamburgers really took off as did fast food restaurants like Taco Bell and McDonals became popular

You could cook a blackened Cajun meal.. also quiche, steaks, chicken, burgers.. As guests arrive you could serve the a “hedgehog” made from an orange cut in half with cheese and pineapple cubes on cocktail sticks stuck in it – or even serve this at dessert time. Rice cakes and wine coolers were popular. You can be creative..

It is just a fun unusual experience to try for a dinner party idea.

And don;'t forget your hoop earrings:



Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess

On vacation

I've been on a week's vacation - I managed to host two dinner parties up the Coast where we have a house.

I'll be brining you more dinner party ideas soon - the next will be a dinner from the 80s.

Stay tuned.

Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess

Dinner party ideas - there are so many!

I was thinking last night about when I might run out of fresh dinner party ideas and then it dawned on me...

The answer is never - people have never run out of a story line for a book or for a film nor do they run out of tunes for a brand new song. And yet, you'd think that every script or melody had already been used.

Ideas can be infinite and I hope you get some new dinner party ideas from my blog.

I intend to keep adding ideas for themes and tips and stories so I hope you keep coming back here! And if you have a great idea, please share it.

To check ideas so far, simply look at the right hand column titled "category". You will see a range of dinner party ideas in the form of themes.

And to remember new ideas yourselves, my advice is write them down..



Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess

Dinner party idea - present food from one country

A simple dinner party idea of course is to focus on food from a particular country.

If you pick a country, then you can prepare an appetizer, a main and a dessert that you would find at that destination.

For instance, if you picked an Italian theme, then you may have a small dish of pasta as an appetizer, a Veal Scallopini dish for main and then Tiramisu for dessert.

(For a traditional Italian meal, check the Italian dinner party article I have posted under the "themes" category.

Other countries that prove to be popular dinner party themes include foods from:

. China
. Mexico
. Thailand
. Vietnam
. France
. Lebanon
. India

You could pick any country really. In fact, if you look under the "recipes" category, you will have access to an amazing website I found with over 3,000 recipes from around the world.

Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

In the meantime, you may like to check out this coffee hamper - coffee is one thing we are all united on don't you think?



Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess

Dinner party idea from Roy Andrews..

Thank you Roy Andrews for this dinner party idea.

Roy says:

"I have had a cooking class with participation, everyone brings a bottle of wine, we have instruction from a good cook and share an amazing meal. It is nice to have guests participate with the meal."

It is great to share our ideas.. keep those ideas coming.

Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

In the meantime, check out this cook book:



Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess

Dinner party idea - inviting lots of people?

Well, you don't need to have the dinner party at home!

There are so many smallish restaurants and cafes that will open their doors to you if you need to organize a dinner for 20, 30 or 40 people.

When I say open their doors, many cafes in my area are only open during he day leaving restaurants to cater to the evening crowds. So, many of these fab little venues are closed even on a Friday or Saturday night.

I have seen a number of signs recently stating that the cafe or restaurant is available for hire - that is, that the owner will allow you to book out the entire space for a set fee - dinner included.

This is a win win situation for both you and the venue - you are bringing them trade on a night when they are either closed or quiet. They are providing a space for you (preferrably a visually attractive space) where you can leaving the preparation, the cooking and the cleaning to them! Perfect.

The cost for the restaurant hire is negotiable - depedning on the meal you would like served.

These sort of nights are particularly great for a special event like a major birthday celebration or to celebrate a special anniversary. "Special" here is the operative word because you can make this sort of night really memorable and add any extra touches you'd like. These can include additions to table settings - like candles or deceorations.. much as tables are differently decorated at wedding receptions, etc.

A lovely touch is to leave some dispoable cameras on each table so guests can capture their experiences of the night. You will be amazed at the results when you get them printed. Check out these inexpensive disposable cameras:



Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

Randa
The hostess with the Mostess

Dinner party idea - for scuba divers!

Only if you're a scuba diver will this dinner party idea appeal..



Enjoy the silence together underwater..

Stay tuned for more dinner party ideas soon.

Randa
The Hostess with the Mostess