Good Lifestyle

A dinner may not have a huge list of guests, but that does not mean that you should not put real thought in the planning of one.

After all, it's a challenge to create the right atmosphere for a lively conversation, big laughs and strong links between guests. You have to curb the menu, place the settings, drinks, calendar, music and room layout everyday to get things just right - all without looking at you trythis hard do this.

It is a delicate dance and its best to get expert advice about what we have done here, contacting party planners and guests with the greatest knowledge of running a first-rate dinner that will delight the guests and make you look like an AS. Remember that: the accommodation can be a difficult but rewarding experience, for advice on what is not done, here is30 The largest holiday party no-no.

Deciding on the placement of guests is a crucial decision for a successful dinner - this can mean the difference between a high energy and stimulating experience for everyone, or a handful of conversations on stilts with occasional moments of clumsy silence.

Some prefer the seats according to common interests or because they are unlikely to cross trails in other parts of their lives. CornCarla McDonald, founder ofThe saloon, dedicated to the art of entertaining, urges guests who place guests according to their personalities.

"There are eight types and a pair better than others," she says. "The charmer (the guest who can talk to anyone of anyone of anything); the fascinator (the guest with an intriguing personal story, occupation or a hobby); Opnionnarian (the guest who loves a lively debate); the extrovert (the outgoing guest who creates energy); the introvert (the quiet guest who is not always comfortable socializing in groups): the guest mystery (the date unknown to the guest); the guest of honor; and the host / hostess. "

Pair of guests depending on the type of personality and how he plays others. "Charmers can be sitting anywhere, but are the most useful next to introvertes and fascinators. The fascinators mix best with introverts and charmers," says McDonald. "The opinions are very fun but can also move things, so they are better next to the charmers and hosts."

"Aerial lighting is universally unaware," addsMcDonald. "In fact, in Hollywood, aerial lighting is used as a technique for aging actors and actresses."

Instead, McDonald suggests using lamp lighting with low drive bulbs and candles so that the room is as flattered as possible.Vanessa van Wieren, interior design expert and founder ofAlchemy Fine house, Suitable for candles are the way forward. "Try mixing some styles of candles such as twists, votive and tea fires if you really want to make a wow," she suggests, adding that if you do not want to ignite your party ", use lights white flicker wrapping around the garland in our holiday tables. "And for more decoration tips, keep in mind the30 home decorations that no one over 30 should not own.

Since you already ask place settings, give them a personal touch and make each guest. "It can be as simple as writing their names on grenades, leaves or a simple piece of paper with a paint pen or silver paint," says Van Wieren. "Attach a ribbon around a bouquet of herbs, a pine cone, or even some cinnamon sticks and attach a strip of paper to a fun way to present his name card."

Or put a small gift for each person who includes their initials or kind of personal turn. This will serve fun to start the meal and help serve as a conversation starter. To get the conversation, you can totally use one of theThe 40 best compliments to giving people over 40 years.

Determine the amount of purchase is one of the fundamental challenges of anyone who hosts a game. Running food is perhaps the biggest gaffe you can do during a dinner, but at the same time you do not want to have so many things that you submerge the guests or you find with leftovers in the next season .

Celebrity leaderFabio Viviani, which welcomed its share of dinners, offers a simple formula to calculate the quantity, depending on whether it is a seated meal or with past appetizers.

"If it is adopted, I do at least 10 bites per person - so if there are 50 people, I prepare 500 aperitifs," he says. "If it's a seated dinner, I plan for 2 pounds of food per person. This will include the aperitif route all the way through the dessert." For alcohol, he suggests having enough for at least two cocktails or a half-bottle of wine per person. "It really depends on the occasion as if it is a birthday party or a great holiday event, I would plan more," says Viviani.

One of the poorer aspects of the preparation of a dinner is worried if there are enough table settings. How many forks do each person need? Do you need three plates for each guest?Viviani suggests parenting them.

"I think the setting of the old table is adopted and people take advantage of more casual restaurants," he says. "I do not think it's necessary to have three plates, three forks and three spoons for a dinner. Create foods that go well together so that you can use a plate instead of three plates." It adds that it also allows the different flavors to mix - and easily easier cleaning.

A key ingredient of any successful dinner is the preparation. Like more food is needed for a larger group, you also need to add more time for preparation if you are welcoming a larger group in your home. "Set your table the previous night", suggestsRobin McAllister-Zaas, a lifestyle trainer and an enviable entertainment.

"Be creative and design a good 'tablescape. Use self-adhesive notes and label all your service dishes with what you are planning to serve you - this way you will know if you have to buy something new." Beyond The table and the kitchen, early starting preparation also gives you the chance to clean your home, clean the rooms you will use and make sure that the invited bathroom is fully stored. Small things really make the difference, for inspiration on a quick update, see these30 best elegant home improvements.

But a kind of preparation that you should not do is try to improve the scents of the house or apartment, with scented candles, perfume diffusers or basic plug-in air sanitors. Not. The only odors of guests should meet when they enter the home must be the food you are preparing or the cocktail they have in their hand. Not only can odors potentially activate guest allergies, they can compete and sometimes sabotage, the pleasant odors of the food itself. "I would not want to feel the skin of cinnamon while eating chicken," saysViviani.

"I welcome the guests even before ringing the doorbell," saysMarlene Caroselli, an author and a business trainer and frequent host of dinner. "Sometimes I have a sign on the gateway or on the wood next to the front door."

This guarantees not only that the guests do not worry about whether they have found the right place or not, it makes them feel that the party started before having even received the door. You can vary what you use so that customers know they are in the right place, depending on the event or the period of the year "I could have a light" love "of LED flashing for a gathering Valentine's Day. For Halloween, I can have ghost wabbles that plays while walking to the door, "says Caroselli.

Often the first thing a guest meeting after fixing the foot in your house is the drink you offer them, so make sure it's a good one. "Have a bottle of red and white wine available for guests who are not mixed drinkers. The bottled water is a must during your party and is a charming gesture to give each guest home at home", a declared McAllister-Zaas.

But to really make an impression, she suggests that the host ", creates a signature drink for your party." This should match the season and have a name Snaply, but not too complicated or Boozy (you do not want your guests to be destroyed before having something to eat). If you want to mix something fast, do you have to15 two ingredient cocktails that you can do in 15 seconds.

Nothing is worse for a guest than to present himself for a dinner thinking that there was a long time of pre-dinner cocktail, only to realize that everyone is halfway. Invite how long the "cocktail time" will be clear, then the exact time when the meal is served.

"If you are dinner-specific, your guests will arrive at the time and everyone will stay happy," saysJennifer Porter, Satsuma Designs, a party planner and a gift retailer based in Seattle. "Plan 30 to 60 minutes for hot cocktails / cocktails / hot cocktails (include a fun children's drink for a party of all ages), then dine on time and enjoy a casual gathering after dessert.

Do not call it a "game night", but to take your dinner at the next level and really relax the guests after the meal, it's worth added in a kind of game or entertainment. "Try games like categories, who am I, charades, karaoke, mashup poetry reading," offersCarry. "In our house, we call it" theater dinner ": after dinner, we each present a little pleasure / funny / literary. We have made the pantomime, dance routines, a piano, a reading of poetry , a physical comedy, which usually involves sticking your terra in the corner and removing it with your hidden arm. "

You can entertain guests starting with ancecriptions, your guests guess that if a fault is true or false to take their interest, to get you started here.40 facts so funny are difficult to believe.

An elaborate dish that keeps you in the kitchen all night is going to be a bummer for you and your guests feel guilty of not helping you. Instead, keep things simple, so that the focus remains on the connection with the guests and make sure the guests connect with each other.

"I'm trying to keep things simple," saysRyan Goodwin, the lead recipe developer toCraoflog.com which often hosts dinners. "Usually, I go with a roast or embers of some kind. Once you have something like that, it is relatively easy to plan other courses around him. My last dinner was just a jackpot of Chile verde-nothing fantasy, just a simple and delicious stew and my goal has been put in fresh tortillas, stumbling and accoutrements to follow. "

You can stimulate this sense of "connection" between you and the guests by getting using the kitchen guests. If you are looking to create a more relaxed atmosphere, there is nothing wrong with making it an interactive dinner. "Personally, I'm always happy to have friends to join me in the kitchen, so that the guests more curious will end up chatting with me or helping when I put a final touches on salads or dishes d 'Accompaniment and prepare the centerpiece, "saysGoodwin. "My wife usually takes over the dessert. She likes to choose the wine and throw an interesting cocktail along the way."

A dinner is not supposed to be a part of the massive house that receives the calls called - it's a place for a creative conversation where people feel connected and feeling intellectually neat and physically. "You want to create a feeling of intimacy and solution, and you want the conversation to be loop to everyone," saysAleksandra Rowan, a "frequent dinner launcher" and co-owner of the design company of the floral eventWise and pink. To create this atmosphere, you must invite the many people.

"Too big and there is no chance that everyone interacts, too small and that you risk mattitude," Rowan said. "If you have guests who do not know well, always start dinner with the hors d'oeuvre in a separate space that encourages the fray. You certainly do not want two people chatting in a corner; or a fun side and boring of the table. "

That is, the entertainment leader, likeTangela Walker-Craft, party host dinner and blogger atSimply necessary Inc., who advises guests to see their entertainment as a responsibility. As a host, you are the boss and need to own the event you are running. "As a host or hostess, be ready to dive on a metaphorical grenade if necessary to scroll down, will we have to occur," she says. "If the children should attend, have simple activities for them To be entertained before and after the meal is a good idea. Coloring books, coloring sheets, puzzles or books are easy options. "Whatever happens, the buck stops with you, and you have to do this way to stay on top of every detail And be ready to put your fork or wine glass so that things work smoothly.

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