"If only hosting a dinner party always looked like those cute videos on TikTok with gorgeous floral centerpieces, custom-designed menus, and a huge spread of food that seemingly comes together effortlessly. In reality, getting ready to host often looks more like a scene from The Bear. Guests are due to arrive any minute while you’re still scrambling around the kitchen with sweat dripping down your face and just now realizing you forgot to set the table. Suddenly, hosting a dinner party is looking less and less like the Nancy Meyers-fueled fantasy you had in mind. But as someone who has several successful dinner parties under their belt, I’m here to tell you that hosting doesn’t have to be harder than it looks.
because brunch should be low on cost, low on stress, and high on the things that actually matter: good food, good company, and a cute atmosphere
I tapped Olivia Pollock, the etiquette and hosting expert for online invitation company Evite, for her best tips to take the stress (and expense) out of hosting. With a solid plan (and a few time-saving hacks), you absolutely can be the girl who hosts picture-perfect dinner parties like it’s NBD.
Olivia Pollock, Senior Director of Brand Marketing at Evite
Olivia Pollock is Evite‘s premier party data analyst and etiquette expert, specializing in trend forecasting and the art of hosting. Her expertise has been featured in publications such as The New York Times, Scary Mommy, Axios and Fox News.
1. Plan your dinner party around a theme
Picking a theme may seem like one more thing to worry about, but according to Pollock, it can actually alleviate some of the stress of hosting. “Having one clear theme gives you a fun guide to your entire night with everything falling into place,” she said. Plan your party around a specific type of cuisine (like Italian, Greek, or Mexican) or a star ingredient (such as tomatoes or lemons). Pop culture also offers tons of inspiration (White Lotus dinner party, anyone?). “Once you’ve got your theme, it makes everything else—food, drinks, decor—come together so much more seamlessly,” Pollock added.
2. Set the table in advance
The key to hosting a dinner party you’ll actually enjoy is to prep as much as you can ahead of time, Pollock said. Set the table a few hours—or even days—in advance so you have plenty of time to make it perfect, and don’t leave it to the last minute. “This will not only free up your time the night of, but also make you a lot more comfortable, confident, and excited going into your event,” Pollock said.
3. Don’t attempt a recipe you’ve never made before
A dinner party is not the time to test your skills with a new-to-you recipe. If something goes wrong or doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, you don’t want to be left with nothing to serve your guests. “My tip is to make one standout dish that you feel super confident and excited about with simple and reliable sides that require little to no thinking,” Pollock said. Keep the menu simple and well within your skill set to avoid any mishaps on the day of.
4. Set the vibe with lighting
Don’t feel like you need to go all out on decor when a few tweaks to your existing space will do. “It may sound simple, but lighting can really transform the space,” Pollock said. “Hanging up some string lights or lighting a few candles can completely change the atmosphere without costing much at all.” Then, before guests arrive, dim or turn off the overhead lights to set a cozy, inviting ambience.
5. Use shortcuts where they count
In the words of Ina Garten, “Store-bought is fine.” By no means do you need to make every dish from scratch, so why make it more complicated for yourself? Serve up some Trader Joe’s appetizers you pulled out of the freezer, or pick up a dessert from a local bakery instead of baking one yourself. Your guests won’t care either way, and it’ll take some of the stress off your plate.
6. Decorate with what you have
The actual decor and table settings you use are less important than the overall mood. A few key pieces are really all you need. “Start with a neutral tablecloth or runner as a base, then add a little personality with colorful napkins or fun centerpieces,” Pollock suggested. A few vases of grocery store flowers or a bowl of fresh fruits and veggies can make your table feel a little more special for not much money. “No one’s noticing if it’s not ‘perfect,’” Pollock said. “It’s all about the feeling you create!”
7. Choose dishes that require different cooking methods
You only have so much space in your oven or on your stove, so it’s a good idea to spread things out a bit. When putting together your menu, pick one or two dishes you can prep in advance, something you can throw in the oven, and another that cooks on the stove. That way, you’ll only have one thing that really needs hands-on attention as guests are arriving.
8. Mix up one signature cocktail
Trying to stock your fridge with enough beer, wine, and spirits to suit everyone’s tastes is a hassle and expense that’s just not necessary. “One of my favorite hosting hacks is to have a signature cocktail that you can make in large batches,” Pollock said. “This way, you’re not spending the whole evening mixing drinks, and your guests can help themselves.” Plus, it’s an easy way to elevate your event (and play into the theme if you have one). You could also mix up a separate, alcohol-free batch in case any guests would prefer a mocktail.
9. Serve a few cold or room-temperature dishes
One of the biggest struggles of hosting a dinner party is trying to ensure all the food is hot and ready at the same time. It makes me wish I had one of those heat lamps they use in restaurant kitchens. To take some of the pressure off, plan to make a few dishes you don’t have to heat before serving. Appetizers, salads, and dips are great options that you can often serve cold or at room temperature, so you don’t have to try to keep everything warm at once.
10. Don’t be afraid to delegate
Hosting is a lot of work, but you don’t have to try to do everything yourself. According to Pollock, it’s totally OK to ask a friend to bring a side dish or dessert. “Guests will most likely end up bringing something anyway,” she said. “Delegating is a great way to add to your meal without ending up with multiple of the same desserts while your appetizers are lacking.”
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.