You are a friendly person. You like the idea of inviting people over for dinner and into your home. But what do you do with them once they are actually in your home?
That is the part that is holding you back.
Hosting dinner guests can seem like a breeze for some and others it invokes feelings of stress.
Don’t let fear stop you from having a good time with friends and family. Open your home up for conversation and community. Follow these steps to host a stress-free dinner!
1) Invite-don’t wait, then you’re committed
The biggest leap in hosting dinner guests is inviting your guests! Pick the date, invite your guests and then you are committed.
Make sure to let your guests know what type of dinner you are planning. Are you having them over for a backyard BBQ, a casual dinner or a more formal dinner?
If it’s your first time having guests for dinner or you are really anxious about the idea, consider only inviting a couple over. This can relive some of the pressure when you are only adding two more mouths to feed.
2) Planning the menu
Inviting people over to your home means you are in charge. You get to plan the menu and decide on the table setting. It can be as fancy or casual as you want it to be.
Your guests don’t have expectations. They just know they are coming over to enjoy your company and a great meal.
To make this step even easier print out this Dinner Menu and shopping list to keep yourself organized!
Grab this printable in the Freebie Library by filling in the form below!
Now that you have invited your guests and made your menu plan it’s time to go shopping.
You will want to shop at least two days before your dinner. This will give you the chance to do some food prep or even prepare part of the meal ahead of time.
3) Set the table
Create the atmosphere. You want your dinner to be special so set the mood. Add a table cloth and centerpiece. Light a candle and turn on some background music.
Take your dinner setting beyond the everyday. Use your china and glass drinkware.
4) Be ready 10 minutes before and greet your guest at the door
Greeting your guests at the door is super important. You want your guests to feel welcome and relaxed as soon as they arrive.
As the host greeting your guests is just as important as serving them! You don’t want to leave them standing at the door wondering if they are at the right house or arrived at the correct time.
Being ready 10 minutes before your dinner time will give you a chance to slow down and relax. Wipe the sweat off your brow and go reapply some deodorant or body spray. Get ready to enjoy your preparations and company.
5) Accept guests help!
As guests arrive, some may ask how they can help. Let them!
How about having them take drink orders and fill glasses with water. They could place some of the food on the table as its ready.
If your guests are willing to help don’t feel bad about giving them a task.
6) Serve guests first
You’ve been prepping the meal for a few hours and are getting hungry. Your kids have smelled the wonderful aroma and are eager to dive into the meal.
It can be tempting to want to make the kids plates first.
Talk to your kids before the dinner about how serving your guest first is good manners. You want your guests to feel important and welcomed at the dinner table.
Have your kids get involved in serving your guests. If they are old enough they could dish out the mashed potatoes onto plates or bring the guests their salad plate.
7) Enjoy your hard work and the company of your guests
Your guests have been served and are enjoying the yummy meal you have prepared; now it’s your turn to sit back and savor the company of your guests.
Don’t worry about clearing the table or washing the dishes right away. Refill you drink glass and engage in the conversation. Part of being a great host is giving attention to your guests.
Do it again!
You have successfully hosted a dinner and now can consider yourself a pro. Get out your calendar and plan to host your next dinner!
With a little bit of planning and preparations you can host a stress free dinner. By creating a menu plan and shopping a few days early you will be setting yourself up for a successful dinner. Setting an inviting table will only enhance the evening with your family and friends.
Make sure to grab your Dinner Menu Plan and invite your guests over for a lovely meal.
