Hosting a dinner party is like a juggling act. Amidst entertaining and socializing with your guests, you also need to make sure the food is hot and ready, the beverages are plentiful, the conversation is flowing, and the mess is minimal. That’s no small feat—and in the middle of juggling it all, it’s easy to forget a thing or two and make a couple mistakes. But the goal of dinner party hosting shouldn’t be perfection, says celebrity event designer Edward Perotti. It should be making your guests feel comfortable and considered.
Perotti says he learned about the “art of entertaining” from his grandmother and great aunt, who were exceptional hosts. “What I appreciated most about their guidance was their focus on the guest experience rather than strict adherence to Emily Post’s etiquette rules,” he says. “I learned this valuable lesson well, and it continues to influence how I entertain today.”
So, if you want your guests (and yourself) to have a great time at your next dinner party, here are the top mistakes to avoid making.
Disregarding guests’ dietary restrictions
A simple way to make everyone feel included at a dinner party is to account for everyone’s dietary restrictions. “Always seek out your guests’ allergies and nutritional needs to create a menu that brings everyone together,” Perotti says. “With the incredible products available today, you can design dishes that ensure no one feels left out.”
Going overboard with food presentation
We all know that presentation plays an important role in making food look appetizing and enticing. However, Perotti says it’s not worth your time or effort to go over-the-top with food presentation, because it can make the event seem overly formal and take away from the real purpose of the food—which is that it’s there to be eaten and enjoyed. “While beautiful plating is appreciated, don’t let perfection overshadow the joy of sharing a meal,” Perotti says.
Offering overly sophisticated food items
Again, going overboard with fancy food offerings can backfire and make your guests feel a bit out of their element. For example, Perotti says you don’t need to serve a large selection of the most gourmet cheeses and charcuterie you can find. “If your guests aren’t cheese experts, remember that simplicity can speak volumes,” he says.
Rather than trying hard to impress your guests with sophisticated food items, simply aim to please them and pick out appetizers and dishes that will appeal to their tastes.
Only offering alcoholic beverages
A growing number of people are choosing to drink less or go alcohol-free, so make sure those guests have options at your party. “Serve with mindfulness, offering a balanced selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic options to cater to everyone’s preferences,” Perotti says.
Assigning seating
It may seem like a nice, personalized touch to create place cards for everyone’s seat at the table—and it can be—but Perotti suggests a less formal approach. “Allowing guests to choose their own seats fosters a relaxed and friendly vibe,” he says.
Saying “no” to helping hands
If you’re striving for the title of “host with the most” you may think you need to keep up appearances and prove that you can handle everything on your own. But saying “no” to assistance doesn’t only make things more stressful for you, but it can also prevent you from sharing some nice moments with your guests.
“Embrace the idea of accepting help,” Perotti says. “It can make your gathering even more special. Some may prefer not to see behind the curtain or into the kitchen, but many guests today relish the opportunity to participate, transforming the event into a shared celebration.”
Saving all the cleanup for the next morning
This last one is really more about you and your own happiness, rather than your guests’. After a long evening of hosting, there’s probably nothing you want more than to unwind and head to bed. But, think of your future self. “As the night winds down, embark on the cleanup before you head to bed, even if you’ve indulged a little,” Perotti says. “Those dirty plates will seem more daunting in the morning light, and waking up to a clean kitchen is incredibly rewarding.”
And, remembering the earlier tip, if a guest offers to help with some cleanup before they leave the party, go ahead and let them. This could give you both a little more time to connect, and an extra pair of helping hands can make the post-party cleanup so much faster.
