50 Tips For An (Easy!) Fancy Dinner

50 Tips… If you’re worried about hosting a fancy dinner, this is for you! The best tips to make you host like a boss!

50 Tips… If you’re worried about hosting a fancy dinner, this is definitely for you! These best tips will make you host like a boss!

Really?! It sure is!

I know hosting can sometimes be stressful, and many of us often hold back because we think we won’t be able to handle it! Well, my friends, I will prove you wrong! Hosting a fancy dinner is much easier than you think!

And these simple tips will help you host like a queen! No one will notice that you are not used to it. 😉

Ha! ha! Ready to dive into it?

50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy Dinner…To keep your stress level low

Select a meal according to your baking and cooking abilities. We are not all Great Chefs… and it’s perfectly fine! There are so many dishes to choose from; I’m sure you’ll find something easy, simple, and fancy to serve!
Don’t aim for perfection! I know that you want to impress your guests, but believe me, no matter what you serve, as long as they feel welcomed, none of your guests will complain!
Braised, au gratin, or simmered dishes are easy! And they sure are the best for a low-stress meal!
Do the grocery a few days before to allow you time to meal prep.

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50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy Dinner…To save on costs

Choose one or two costly items and save on the rest of your meal. But ensure you offer good quality food tough!
Choose good wine, but not too expensive ones; the middle range should do!
Have water on the table at all times; this will ensure that your guests don’t drink too much wine…
Pasta-based dishes are the best to save on costs. There are plenty of great fancy pasta recipes; here is a fabulous lemon pasta recipe from one of my favorite Italian Chefs, Giada. Browse her website or Pinterest to find several other great recipes.
Bread & butter at all times… nice attention for your friends with a bigger appetite, but it will also make you save a little on meat!

I know there are many things to think about, but it is worth it!

I suggest you save it, you might want to refer to it later

50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy Dinner… To impress your guests

Choose a healthy menu; offering a nice variety of healthy items is the best way to add freshness to your plates…and to impress your guests! 😉
Choose a well-balanced menu; that is one of the most important things! I have a whole post about it, so make sure you read it to grab some good ideas!
Beautiful dining ware; nothing is more appealing than a lovely plate.
A fabulous dessert as a great finally! Of course! A dinner without dessert is not really a fancy dinner… ha! ha! I love dessert so much!
Try to choose neutral dishes everyone likes unless you know your guest’s tastes well.
Select good drinks and wines. Quality over quantity here! But no needs to spend a fortune!
Table Decor: what more can I say 🙂. You will spend almost all evening at the table, so take the time to add some decor to your table.
Serve great appetizers at apero time; it’s a great way to start your wonderful dinner!
A special drink or sparkling wine at apero time is a great way to start the evening too. Everything looks unique with bubbles!

😉 Old on, we are almost done!

Garnish your plates, and add a bit of wow to your dishes… remember that we also eat with our eyes…so let’s pimp up your plates!
Add toppings for colors and textures; it’s always fun to discover new blends of textures.
Spend as much time as possible with your friends instead of hiding in the kitchen to prepare your meal. Remember that they accepted your invitation because they wanted to spend some time with you.
Your guests will feel better if they don’t see you running everywhere! It could be embarrassing for your friends to see you running around while you refuse their help…
Make sure all enjoy your meal; it might happen that one of your guests is not crazy about something you serve, and it’s ok! But make sure to offer them something else. They will be happy to see that you are taking good care of them.
A lovely wine carafe will add a special touch to your table. It is so elegant!

If you want to keep track of all those fancy dinners you will throw, you need this Journal! 😉

Let’s get back to our 50 Tips!

50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy dinner…To be well organized

Cooking time: make sure you read all recipes before! Make a list of what needs to be cooked and write the cooking time beside to ensure that everything will be ready to serve at the right moment.
Preparation time: There are always several things to prepare, so ensure that you save enough time for each of them.
Oven availability… do I really need to explain why? ha ha!
Select your menu according to your guest’s tastes if you’re lucky enough to know your guests that well!
Choose make-ahead dishes and side dishes: The more you can make in advance, the better!
Choose a make-ahead dessert: This is a must!
Try to do dishes you tried before: the last thing you need is stressing out about your meal!
Plan in advance: I can never say this enough! Planning is the key to ensuring the success of your dinner party!
Make to-do lists: To ensure you don’t forget anything. Lists give you peace of mind.
Keep a list of your entire menu close to you: I like to keep mine inside one of my kitchen cabinet doors; easy to access, and only I can see it!
Measure and prepare all ingredients for last-minute things: You will appreciate having fewer things to do once your guests are there.

50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy Dinner… To make it easy!

The perfect number of guests around the table for a fancy dinner is 6… 8 at the most. But my favorite number is 6! You can split a bottle of wine into six parts, and most recipes are for 6; of course, you can double them, but still… it’s easier to keep control with only six people around the table…
Take the time to rest before your guests arrive; that is crucial, it will be a long evening, and you have to enjoy it too!
Keep things simple! Don’t try to do too much; never forget that hosting is not a competition!

Others…

Ideally, no kids… I love kids, but a fancy dinner is not the best place for them. The ambiance is absolutely not the same with kids around.
Always keep a list of recipes for these special occasions and keep on adding to it: haha! I don’t think I will live old enough to make everything on my list!
Think about the ambiance; people might feel that their host is happy to have them there; they should feel important.
Candles are great for a cozy ambiance at dinner time; dim the lights and relax.
Music is also great for creating the perfect ambiance. But the level should be low; you don’t want your guests to yield all evening long!
Invite people that connect well together. That will definitely ensure the smooth running of the evening.
Don’t stress or worry; that dinner is not a competition but a lovely evening with friends!
Make sure you offer colorful vegetables. There’s nothing like veggies to enhance your plates.
Better ask before if any of your guests suffer from allergies… better be safe than sorry!
Comfortable chairs and maybe one or two pillows, just in case.

And finally…

Try to have at least one or two herbal tea; some people stay away from coffee at night.
Offer good quality coffee to end your meal on a good note. And it will go so well with your fabulous dessert! 😊
Fine liquors also end well a meal, but one or two are good enough; no needs to buy the entire selection from the liquor store!
Be careful about the conversation topics; all should participate. And try to avoid topics that could turn into a battle… if you know what I mean!
Feel free to select seating places and mark them. That way, you’re sure that the conversation will always be fluid.
Make sure your dining table is big enough; your guests must be comfortable all evening long.

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50 Tips for an (easy!) Fancy Dinner… To conclude

My best advice: Keep things simple

& enjoy each minute of this evening with your friends!

See, there are plenty of easy tricks to help you be a better host… to save you time and money, or to help you easily host a fancy dinner!

Even though these are all great tips, you won’t probably apply all of them at the same time! ha! ha! which is a good thing!

But answers to the most common questions will definitely help you for your next fancy dinner party!… as well as this guide on how to be the perfect hostess!

As always, I would love to hear from you 🖤 Please, use the box for any comments or questions. Or even better, use that comment box to tell me what is your best trick! I just can’t wait to hear it!

*And, of course, if you liked this post, please, let your friends know! 😊 Share it!

Talk to you soon!