Dinner Party Ideas
Our Flowering tea is particularly well suited to dinner parties. Here's a few ideas and tips to help you prepare and host a great dinner party.
1. Choose a cause for celebration.
Having a theme is always a good idea to anchor the dinner party and hold the different elements together. If you have a theme, go all the way and keep it consistent from start to finish.
2. Select a date , guest list and send out invitations (email, telephone or letter).
Make sure you give yourself and your guests enough time before the date. Our advice is to keep the guest list short, manageable and as simple as possible (6-8 persons is best). Consider the social dynamics and only invite guests who you know will get along. You don’t want one guest who totally dominates the
conversation nor a group of people who are all shy and wont speak all night. Try to choose an optimal mix of personalities that will blend well together. Make sure you find out about any special allergies (e.g., peanuts, shellfish, fruits etc).
3. Plan ahead when selecting a menu.
Choose slow cooking entrees and desserts that can be prepared in advance of the party. The more you can organise ahead of the dinner party, the less stressful the event itself will be for you. Be flexible on entrees and remember some guests may have special dietary needs. Don't be afraid to prepare healthy dishes, which nowadays can be just as glamorous as their higher-calorie versions. Try to avoid dishes that are difficult or very time consuming to make.
4. Tidy up the house and make it look welcoming.
5. Set the table as early as possible and ensure it's big enough to accomodate everyone comfortably.
Make sure you have enough glasses, crockery and cutlery to keep you going all night. Last thing you need is to have to wash up between courses. Seat yourself and your helper closest to the kitchen. Consider placing shy people next to talkative people.
6. Set the mood.
Choose some light, mellow music and don't forget to light candles on and around the dining table.
7. At the end of the meal, surprise your guests with a flowering tea.
Ask who would like to try some special tea. Then bring out your glass teapot with a tea blossom already inside. Add hot water and enjoy the look on your guest's faces as the tea blooms before their eyes. After everyone is served, resteep the tea with hot water for a second or third helping.
8. Above all,
...remember the best dinner parties are the ones where the host relaxes, lets their hair down and doesn't try to run it like a military operation. So make sure you drink, laugh and have lots of fun.
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