Hosting a dinner party can be a great way to show off your cooking skills and your New York City home. It can also be stressful, especially in a small apartment. But it doesn’t have to be! Here’s how to host a fabulous dinner party and have fun doing it.

1. Make a Plan

Start by making a simple plan. Figure out how many friends to invite first. Keep your apartment size in mind, as well as the time you’ll need to spend preparing. More people usually equals more work! You’ll also want to determine a budget, which will help you avoid spending too much.

2. Figure Out Seating

Next you should figure out seating. If you have a dining table, this is the easy part! If not, though, it’s possible to host a dinner party without one. You just need to get a little creative.

Do you have a coffee table? Gather everyone around it on chairs or even floor pillows.You can also seat your friends on your couch. Just make sure there’s somewhere to set drinks. We’ve even seen indoor picnics. Simply spread a blanket on the floor and have everyone gather around a delicious spread of food.

Image Source: Flickr/Elin B

3. Choose a Theme

Picking a simple theme will make planning your menu simpler. You may want to choose a menu based around particular style of cuisine, for example. Knowing that you’re making Indian food will help you narrow down your choices quickly. Other fun, simple approaches include serving an all-appetizer menu or seasonal favorites, or hosting a make-your-own pizza night (put your friends to work!).

Image Source: Flickr

4. Open Up Your Kitchen

Speaking of putting your friends to work: If you’re short on time or money, asking your friends to help is a great option. Do you have friends who love cooking? Have them arrive a couple hours before the party begins. An extra hand in the kitchen can be extremely useful.

You can also ask everyone to bring a favorite dish (make sure to assign courses so you don’t get too many desserts or salads) or bring a bottle of wine. Your friends will be happy to help, and you’ll appreciate the extra assistance.

Image Source: Flickr/Joe Shlabotnik

5. Get Festive

Make the event special by doing a little decorating. You don’t need to go over-the-top, but it’s always nice to add a special touch. Group an assortment of pretty vases or candles in the middle of your table. Use a colorful tablecloth or napkins. Pick up flowers from your local corner store or bodega.

If you need inspiration, look to Pinterest for simple flower arrangement ideas and check out these five easy table setting ideas for summer entertaining.

Image Source: Flickr/Craig Allen

6. Keep Things Simple

Above all, keep things simple, especially if this is your first dinner party.

When planning your menu, choose tried and true recipes — or at least make sure to do an advance test run of anything new. It’s also a good idea to pick dishes that can be prepared ahead of time. Set up a small buffet, or place everything in the middle of your table, and let your friends serve themselves. Not only will this make things easier on you, but it will get everyone talking and sharing.

Finally, if you hate cooking or want to do something last minute, why not keep things truly easy and order takeout? No one will mind!

These tips will make your next dinner party a success.

Image Source: Flickr

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