Holiday Dinner Checklist
Choose a Theme: Decide whether it will be an elegant or cozy dinner. What is the theme in terms of season, occasion, and guest list?
Extend Invitations: Mail, phone, and e-mail invites are all acceptable. If conducting a formal dinner, it's more appropriate to send a written invitation.
Plan the Menu: Prepare a menu that allows you time for make ahead dishes and also consider the weather. You will want to have time to spend with your guests instead of running in and out of the kitchen. If the weather is cold, a large pot of soup is a great appetizer and time saver! For instance, we serve up a large pot of clam or shrimp chowder if it's an elegant dinner and chili for cozy dinners. Always take into consideration your vegetarian friends when making chili by making a meatless pot as well.
Create a Playlist: This is VERY important because you will not have time to figure out music selections during your dinner party. We always create a playlist on our ipod, play a station on Pandora, or if you have cable they have playlists available at your fingertips. Keep in mind the theme of the dinner party for your music selection. Don't hinder the conversation of others by playing the music too loud. Of course if you want to have a designated area for dancing, then plan this out and pump up the music!
Clean all the Goodies: Clean wine/drinking glasses, dinnerware, china, crystal, silverware, and linens. Also remember to iron the linens. I always iron the linens and set the table the night before. Surprises such as missing silverware can really put you in a downward spiral!
Clean the House: This is a daunting task that should NOT be done the night before. Give yourself a week in advance of your party to cover your house from ceiling to floor. You can keep up with the little stuff through daily routines. If your budget allows, hire someone to clean the house. You will thank yourself in the end!
Take Inventory of all the Stuff: Tableware, cook ware, and serving dishes are a necessity for any dinner party. You can find inexpensive pieces at thrift stores and don't be afraid to mix the patterns. Each dish on the menu should have it's own serving dish. Decide which serving dish will be used for each and mark them with a post it note.
Make a Detailed Shopping and Cooking List: Creating the menu is the easy task, now it's time to gather or purchase all the ingredients. Look through your kitchen for items that you may already have on hand. Create a list of items needed from the store along with the quantities. If you need a large supply of one item consider purchasing this from a warehouse such as Sams Club. Don't forget the liquid drink list. Will you serve alcohol or will you ask your guests to bring their own drink? Remember that you will need to supply the mixers or essentials for those bringing their own alcoholic drinks.
Place Orders: If serving meat or seafood, you will need to place an order with the butcher, fish shop, baker or liquor store in advance. Check the servings of a recipe for meat or seafood dishes against the amount of people attending the dinner party. If supplying wine, allow three bottles of wine for every four guests.
Furniture Arrangement: Decide in advance how you would like the energy to flow during the party. Will you need to move furniture around in advance? Do you have enough seating? Remember to clear out the clutter in advance. Also consider if you want your guests to mingle outdoors, just in case it rains. You will want to have a back up plan if placing items outside and it starts to sprinkle. We've been in this situation before and it paid off by knowing where to move items quickly.
Set the Mood for Lighting: Using low wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood. There are some wonderful candle options available such as battery operated candles. I love using the battery operated tea lights and inserting them in different areas throughout my home. I always allow at least an hour ahead of time to turn them on. We love using dimmer switches throughout our home. Always set these up at least an hour in advance.
Seating Plan: If your doing a formal party, mix people together that may not know each other with place cards. If your doing a informal party don't worry where guests will seat but do allow an area where they can sit down and eat on their own time.
Check Personal Items: Remove any prescriptions from the medicine cabinet. If you have any personal items that you would not want guests to see, move them! You never know how someone will react to a personal item when they have been drinking.
Place for Umbrellas, Hats, Coats: Make a space near your front entry for umbrellas, hats, and coats. If you have a closet in this area make sure it's clutter free and filled with coat hangers. If you don't have a closet, consider purchasing a decorative coat/hat hanger for your entry.
Flowers and Decor: Make a list of decor or flowers you may want to purchase in advance. If you have decorating on your list, do this well in advance, possibly asking a few friends over to help you out.
Cooking: Do as much of the cooking as you can the day before. For foods that will be cooked the day of the party, prepare the prep work such as; dicing, marinating, rinsing vegetables, etc.
Clean Sweep: Allow enough time for a quick clean sweep at least 15 minutes before guests arrive.
Set up the Bar: Set up the bar area the night before. Place any chillable wine in the wine chiller or refrigerator the day before. Uncork the wine 30 minutes before party.
Dishwasher: Plan the day before by running the dishwasher the night before and/or 5 hours before party. You will need to have an empty dishwasher ready for all the dirty goods.
Music and Lights: Set the music and lights an hour before the party.
Wine/Drinking Glasses: If you have the room, chill the wine glasses an hour before the party.
Your ready for the dinner party! Take a sip of the wine you opened and enjoy your party!
Added Tips:
Kandi Phillips
Awaken Your Space
Designs for Harmonious Living
www.awakenyourspace.com
Extend Invitations: Mail, phone, and e-mail invites are all acceptable. If conducting a formal dinner, it's more appropriate to send a written invitation.
Plan the Menu: Prepare a menu that allows you time for make ahead dishes and also consider the weather. You will want to have time to spend with your guests instead of running in and out of the kitchen. If the weather is cold, a large pot of soup is a great appetizer and time saver! For instance, we serve up a large pot of clam or shrimp chowder if it's an elegant dinner and chili for cozy dinners. Always take into consideration your vegetarian friends when making chili by making a meatless pot as well.
Create a Playlist: This is VERY important because you will not have time to figure out music selections during your dinner party. We always create a playlist on our ipod, play a station on Pandora, or if you have cable they have playlists available at your fingertips. Keep in mind the theme of the dinner party for your music selection. Don't hinder the conversation of others by playing the music too loud. Of course if you want to have a designated area for dancing, then plan this out and pump up the music!
Clean all the Goodies: Clean wine/drinking glasses, dinnerware, china, crystal, silverware, and linens. Also remember to iron the linens. I always iron the linens and set the table the night before. Surprises such as missing silverware can really put you in a downward spiral!
Clean the House: This is a daunting task that should NOT be done the night before. Give yourself a week in advance of your party to cover your house from ceiling to floor. You can keep up with the little stuff through daily routines. If your budget allows, hire someone to clean the house. You will thank yourself in the end!
Take Inventory of all the Stuff: Tableware, cook ware, and serving dishes are a necessity for any dinner party. You can find inexpensive pieces at thrift stores and don't be afraid to mix the patterns. Each dish on the menu should have it's own serving dish. Decide which serving dish will be used for each and mark them with a post it note.
Make a Detailed Shopping and Cooking List: Creating the menu is the easy task, now it's time to gather or purchase all the ingredients. Look through your kitchen for items that you may already have on hand. Create a list of items needed from the store along with the quantities. If you need a large supply of one item consider purchasing this from a warehouse such as Sams Club. Don't forget the liquid drink list. Will you serve alcohol or will you ask your guests to bring their own drink? Remember that you will need to supply the mixers or essentials for those bringing their own alcoholic drinks.
Place Orders: If serving meat or seafood, you will need to place an order with the butcher, fish shop, baker or liquor store in advance. Check the servings of a recipe for meat or seafood dishes against the amount of people attending the dinner party. If supplying wine, allow three bottles of wine for every four guests.
Furniture Arrangement: Decide in advance how you would like the energy to flow during the party. Will you need to move furniture around in advance? Do you have enough seating? Remember to clear out the clutter in advance. Also consider if you want your guests to mingle outdoors, just in case it rains. You will want to have a back up plan if placing items outside and it starts to sprinkle. We've been in this situation before and it paid off by knowing where to move items quickly.
Set the Mood for Lighting: Using low wattage bulbs or candlelight will create the right mood. There are some wonderful candle options available such as battery operated candles. I love using the battery operated tea lights and inserting them in different areas throughout my home. I always allow at least an hour ahead of time to turn them on. We love using dimmer switches throughout our home. Always set these up at least an hour in advance.
Seating Plan: If your doing a formal party, mix people together that may not know each other with place cards. If your doing a informal party don't worry where guests will seat but do allow an area where they can sit down and eat on their own time.
Check Personal Items: Remove any prescriptions from the medicine cabinet. If you have any personal items that you would not want guests to see, move them! You never know how someone will react to a personal item when they have been drinking.
Place for Umbrellas, Hats, Coats: Make a space near your front entry for umbrellas, hats, and coats. If you have a closet in this area make sure it's clutter free and filled with coat hangers. If you don't have a closet, consider purchasing a decorative coat/hat hanger for your entry.
Flowers and Decor: Make a list of decor or flowers you may want to purchase in advance. If you have decorating on your list, do this well in advance, possibly asking a few friends over to help you out.
Cooking: Do as much of the cooking as you can the day before. For foods that will be cooked the day of the party, prepare the prep work such as; dicing, marinating, rinsing vegetables, etc.
Clean Sweep: Allow enough time for a quick clean sweep at least 15 minutes before guests arrive.
Set up the Bar: Set up the bar area the night before. Place any chillable wine in the wine chiller or refrigerator the day before. Uncork the wine 30 minutes before party.
Dishwasher: Plan the day before by running the dishwasher the night before and/or 5 hours before party. You will need to have an empty dishwasher ready for all the dirty goods.
Music and Lights: Set the music and lights an hour before the party.
Wine/Drinking Glasses: If you have the room, chill the wine glasses an hour before the party.
Your ready for the dinner party! Take a sip of the wine you opened and enjoy your party!
Added Tips:
- Set a due date or time for each category above.
- Designate someone to help you with anything.
- Decide in advance if you really want to attempt all items listed above. Don't feel like it, no worries! Hire someone!
Kandi Phillips
Awaken Your Space
Designs for Harmonious Living
www.awakenyourspace.com
Posted by Awaken Your Space LLC at 11-07-2010 
Categories: Organizing, Decorating
Tags: planning menu checklist for dinner party party checklist dinner host holiday dinner christmas party thanksgivine dinner xmas dinner party hosting party
Categories: Organizing, Decorating
Tags: planning menu checklist for dinner party party checklist dinner host holiday dinner christmas party thanksgivine dinner xmas dinner party hosting party
Comments