DINNER PARTY CHECK LIST
3 Weeks Before
- Set the date
- Prepare a guest list
- Post invitations, e mail or call your friends to invite them (Posting invitations may be old fashioned but it feels so special to receive one)
2 Weeks Before
- Plan the menu and print out any recipes you are using from the internet
- Is there anything you could prepare in advance and freeze?
- Write a shopping list - source any non-perishable tricky ingredients now
1 Week Before
- Make sure your music system is working and get a suitable play list ready
- Ask your florist what flowers will be in next week so you can plan around them or order something specific to be brought in
- If an ingredient (such as figs or pomegranates) is not reliably available in your supermarket ask your local green grocer if he/she could get them for you
The Weekend Before
- Make sure you have enough tableware, glasses and napkins
- Iron your table linen and fold each napkin in the same way
- Wash any glasses or plates that may have become dusty
- Place an order with your local delivery supermarket company and arrange for it to be delivered 1 day before the dinner party
- Order any alcohol you will need and a bag of ice (you may do this at the same time as ordering your food)
- What will you wear?
The Day Before
- Collect your flowers and any last ingredients
- Prepare any recipes you can (a ratatouille, for example, always tastes better the next day)
- Arrange the flowers and leave somewhere cool
On The Day
- Chill the drinks
- Prepare the remaining recipes
- Prepare the vegetables and refrigerate in sealed containers
- Set the table
- Place the flowers on the table
- Prepare a tray with coffee cups, coffee pot, sugar bowl and jug ready to take through after dinner
- Check you guest loo has enough supplies and place a scented candle in there
2 Hours Before
- Once everything is organised you could go and get yourself ready calmly and relax so you can enjoy your dinner party
1/2 An Hour Before
- Light the fire and candles
- Check you haven't forgotten anything from your dining table (Salt and pepper? Water jug? Butter knives if serving bread and butter?)
- Decant red wine into decanters
- Prepare a tray with glasses and a wine cooler for your pre-dinner drinks
Just Before Your Guests Arrive
- Turn the music on
- Place a chilled bottle of champagne or wine into the wine cooler and wait for the first guest to arrive...
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