Check you did the relevant items on Dinner Party Planning Checklist

Check the weather forecast to have reception arrangements for wet/cold guests Forecast

Prepare a menu. Keep a large copy in the kitchen for reference throughout

Stick to food that you have tried before. Don’t experiment at your party

Consider ingredients required and construct shopping list

Check your store cupboards for basics

Avoid the need for a last minute dash to the shops

Write a detailed list, with timings for preparation of the food

Have post it notes or similar ready to label things as you prepare food

Balance your menu with contrasting weight/texture of courses & colours

Check you have enough crockery/cutlery/glasses, then borrow or hire extra

Avoid too much heavy food

Use recipes that your cooker can handle/oven space/similar oven temperatures

Canapés must be single mouthful size   maximum

Ensure table cloths/napkins washed & ironed

Avoid sticky/staining finger snacks

Mix hot & cold pre dinner snacks

Buy in exotic ice creams. Great stand-by, everybody like them

Consider speciality food stores/caterers

Ensure you have sufficient milk/cream

Ensure you have decaffeinated coffee/tea

Buy lots of garnishes

Buy lots of candles/unusual candle holders. Ensure you have matches/lighter

Plan to have electric lights dimmed or off completely

Consider making place cards for seating at dining table

Give careful thought to table seating plan, shy person by outgoing one

Order or plan to buy  fresh flowers to dress the rooms

Consider having a typed menu/several little ones, translated into language of main food

Plan to have things easy to reach e.g. serving dishes at each end of table

Wine:

Buy mineral water still/sparkling

Don’t be rigid but white for fish/white meat, red for the rest has some force

For wine at the table budget two bottles for each three guests maximum

Have plenty of soft drink options for drivers/non drinkers

Check corkscrews/bottle openers

Keep speciality drinks & spirits (ones you are not offering at first) discreetly available for awkward guests

Be generous with drinks. Little more will go, and the party will be much better

Buy/make lots & lots of ice

Think of something about each guest you can use when doing introductions

Ensure you have somewhere to put your pets on the night. They may not mix!

Consider party games