Plan Ahead - The Real Secret of Enjoying
Your Own Dinner Party

Try to plan ahead about two or three weeks ahead for an organized dinner party, especially if you're having more than one or two guests. There are two really important reasons for this.

First, many people are so busy you simply have to invite them well ahead . You don’t want to end up with a situation where only half your guest list can come. So give them plenty of lead time.

Second, now you have plenty of time to cross your jobs off bit by bit, instead of trying to do them all at once.

Every job you get done reduces your stress and builds your sense of being on top of the situation. In turn this means you feel better and better about your upcoming dinner.

So about two weeks before is a good time to get started with your dinner party ideas and planning.

Most experts recommend the countdown approach for making your list. This means grouping jobs on the list according to when you can get them crossed off. You’re aiming at having as few jobs as possible by dinner party day.

You’ll know you’re getting better at the Plan Ahead approach when your last minute list is really short.

How to Build Your Dinner Party Planning List

Don’t make this too complicated, it’s supposed to help you, not overwhelm you with paper. You should be able to jot it down on a piece of paper you can stick up on the frig. It’s good to have it in sight so you can keep on track.

About Two – Three Weeks Before Your Dinner Party

• Extend invitations
• Decide on Table settings including Centerpiece
• Review the state of your tablecloths, napkins, dishes and flatware, if there is anything missing now is the time to replace it
• Do your menu planning, and write out all the ingredients you need (For more plan ahead help with menu planning, click here)
• Check your staples cupboard and check off what you have
• Make a Shopping List of items you need to buy
• Buy any staples you need to buy
• Buy the wine or other non-alcoholic drinks unless you think they might get drunk before the party!

Two to Three Days Before Your Dinner Party

Buy the food and flowers
• Buy the wine or other non-alcoholic drinks if necessary
• Clean the house now so you only have last minute touchups left
• Decide on what you will wear, make sure it is wearable!
• Make any of the dishes you can make a few days ahead

• Arrange your table centerpiece
• Set the table
• Make any food items you can make 24 hours in advance
• Select the dinner music
• Lay out the dessert and coffee dishes supplies

• Prepare any food you can prepare in the morning
• Check the house once more
• Lay out the serving dishes and utensils
• Lay out the pre-dinner drink supplies
• Do last minute cooking
• Lay out pre-dinner appetizers

Special tip about your shopping trip
I find it helpful to plan for two shopping trips, a bigger one well ahead, and a smaller one a day or two ahead of your dinner party.

Usually there is some item you can’t get the first time. And also, you may find it exhausting to lug everything home in one trip.

If you schedule the second trip for a day or two ahead of your dinner party, you can pick up your perishables. And you can pick up anything you weren't able to get on your first trip.

There is something so satisfying about having all the groceries for your dinner party in the house well ahead.

Now you have plenty of time to get your table set the day before your dinner.

Plan Ahead and Keep It Simple, the mantra of organized Dinner Party Planning!

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