How to throw a fabulous dinner party

Melissa Douse, Contributor

November is Food Month where we will live to eat not eat to live. There is a host of food events lined up that are guaranteed to take your taste buds on a culinary escapade.

But if you are not able to make it to all these events, how about celebrating Food Month by planning a long overdue dinner party at home? Why? Because it is no secret that good food, great conversation and wonderful friends are what makes a great gathering and entertaining worthwhile.

Here are some pointers on how you can pull off entertaining with style without compromising your budget or being overly stressed on the day of your party.

TIPS

• Rearrange your furniture to create more space.
• Keep your entrance uncluttered as this is your first impression. Ensure everything is packed away neatly to the sides, but, if needs be, stash them away in your bedroom.
• Set the table before your guests' arrive. This makes them feel expected and welcome; it also saves you the last-minute scrambling to get utensils together. Also have on hand a tray with extras.
• Have a centrepiece for your table. Centrepieces can range from freshly picked flowers from your home garden, pretty unscented candles, a bowl of fresh fruits/ vegetables to the selection of dessert items that will be served after dinner.
• Do as much cooking as possible beforehand. This will allow you to spend more time with your guests to play the perfect host but most important, catch up - after all your guests are your friends.
• And most important, you need to remember it won't all be perfect but that's ok!
• It's good for us all to remember what's really important. The whole reason you threw a dinner party in the first place is to get together, enjoy your friends, and enjoy each other's company and some good food. Friends will understand if things don't go smoothly and they will probably even jump in and offer a helping hand.

EXTRAS

• Plan in advance and don't forget the good old-fashioned 'to do' list. Use your list as a guide and add and subtract as required.
• Set the dinner table the night before. This will reduce last-minute scrambling.
• Don't have a dining room table? Not to worry, improvising is the name of the game. If you have a coffee table, steal the cushions and pillows from your living room sofas and place them around the table.
• Make an on-the-wall menu - it's creative, eye-catching and shows that thought was put into the party.
• Because you're entertaining friends, don't be shy about asking them to bring a dish and make your dinner party into a pot luck event.

Join us next week when we plan the menu with you to make your next dinner party a success.

If you have any questions or need additional tips, email: www.mycraziefoodie.netmycraziefoodie@gmail.com.