Tips for planning your next dinner party

by Ann Hayward 03/10/2025

 table with plates and silverware

Dinner is a great time to reconnect with loved ones. It’s also a fantastic time for a little dinner party planning. 

But when it comes to dinner parties, there are a few things to remember such as a detailed shopping list, choosing the perfect date and planning the perfect first impressions for when your guests arrive. 

Here are a few quick reminders for planning a dinner party that’s sure to inspire.

Choose a theme

Picking a theme for your dinner party is an excellent way to build anticipation for your event. Choosing a theme can also help guide you when preparing food, decorations and party games. 

For example, if you’re throwing a football party, you may want to choose traditional tailgate foods, such as sliders and ask for guests to come in attire adorned with their favorite team. 

Build your dinner party menu

While table settings and managing a cooking schedule might seem like the biggest part of planning your party, you may want to consider guests with food restrictions. 

For example, some guests may have a gluten-free diet, and others may be fine with everything except tomatoes. Review any dietary restrictions before starting your shopping list. This way, both you and your guests feel confident in the hors d’oeuvres and enjoy your get together.

Enhance your atmosphere

When planning your dinner party, examine the type of mood you want to set. Are you going for a more relaxed, fun and casual vibe? Or, are you trying to set the right mood for a formal gathering?

Determine your lighting, main course decor and table spread based on your desired mood to ensure the atmosphere hits the mark. You may even choose to add a little extra music to keep the air light.

These tips are sure to help you keep your calm and embrace your loved ones as they arrive. Remember, preparing charming place settings, serving dishes topped with edible decorations and turning your dining room into a cozy yet chic dining experience is sure to get your guest list craving your next dinner party

About the Author
Author

Ann Hayward

Born in Philadelphia and raised in the suburbs, Ann Hayward got her Pennsylvania real estate license at age 18 even before going to college. This second-generation real estate professional followed in the footsteps of her father and two uncles, inheriting their passion for the business. Licensed in DC, Maryland and Virginia, Ann is accomplished in her career, with numerous designations including SFR, SRES, PSA, WHC, and multiunit Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP) from the National Development Council. She specializes in Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties, Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, all jurisdictions where Ann has lived and knows very well. In addition to her professional expertise, she owns and manages personal investment property, understands and has been involved in the renovation/remodeling process, and has great resources which she shares with clients. When you hire Ann to represent you, she will make your buying or selling experience an enjoyable, rewarding one. Her compassion, sensitivity to her clients’ needs, eye for detail, and ability to see the big picture when guiding you through a purchase or sale are unique assets that will ensure your success. A diverse and relevant background also gives Ann a distinct edge. For 30 years, she worked in fast-paced, high-pressure television and theatrical production, attaining the highest achievement – DGA membership as a Director, and as an award-winning staff and freelance writer. Her keen audio visual skills and design sense benefit sellers in marketing their properties, and are invaluable in helping buyers see the potential of space. A true renaissance woman, Ann was also an income tax professional and office manager for H&R Block, so she thoroughly understands the tax and financial implications of acquiring and selling real estate. Her superior organizational skills are further evidenced as owner of a downsizing/professional organizing business, Managed For You, which allows her to connect with everyone from millennials to boomers and seniors, whether for small space planning or assisting with major decluttering and transitioning. Ann holds an AB in American History from Simmons College, Boston, plus attended Robert Wagner Graduate School of Public Administration where she was a candidate for Doctorate. She additionally studied Film Direction at the American Film Institute in LA, and was a Stanford University post-graduate Professional Journalism Fellow. Personally, Ann is an avid if not very good golfer, and the co-founder of a nonprofit 501c3 organization offering educational guidance, tutoring and counseling for youngsters from elementary school through college admission. She sits on the board of trustees of a nonprofit educational film production corporation as well. (202) 494-6252 [email protected]