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Dinner Party Hosting Ideas You'll Love

Holly Honeycutt

By Holly Honeycutt
Published December 6, 2023

Whether it's the holidays, a birthday celebration or simply a night to gather with friends, you'll need the right essentials to host the perfect dinner party. We'll share tips and tricks, as well as those non-essentials that'll make your table extra special.

A patio with string lights and a wood table set with white plates, linens, wineglasses and food.

Table Settings

A wood dining table with silverware and white ceramic dinnerware filled with food.

Dinnerware and serving pieces are a necessity when pulling a dinner party together. A set of simple white dinnerware is always a good foundation. Then you can switch out seasonal dessert plates or linens depending upon the event you're hosting. If you prefer a motif, there are plenty of patterns to choose from, including florals, birds, holiday and nature scenes.

Here are some other pieces we recommend:

Serving Trays
 Serving trays are not only great for bringing food to the table, but they can also double as charcuterie platters, a display for cakes and cookies or a base for a drinking station.

Caddies
If you're hosting a party outside, a caddy is an easy way to transport and display flatware. Caddies are also a good way to serve drinks to your guests.

Serving Baskets
 Baskets are a convenient way to display fruit or serve bread at the table. Add a linen napkin or seasonal towel to keep your favorite loaves or rolls warm.

Flatware
Is it time to upgrade your flatware? A warm brushed brass finish pairs nicely with white or formal dishes. From modern matte black to traditional polished stainless steel, there are stylish sets to suit any table.

Good to Know

If your party is being hosted outdoors, consider melamine plates that won't break.

Linens

A four-pack of linen napkins with a holly motif and a red border.

Linens are an easy way to transform a boring table into a chic entertaining space. A red or a metallic tablecloth is a beautiful backdrop for the Christmas holidays. Select a gold or autumn-toned table runner for Thanksgiving. A simple white tablecloth with pastel-colored napkins looks light and bright for spring and Easter events.

If you're having an outdoor soirée, use wicker placemats or chargers for a natural, textured backdrop.

Flowers and Candles

A silver bowl on a dining room table filled with pink hydrangeas, purple roses and pink peonies.

Now it's time to layer in fresh flowers and candles to bring the table to life. Select flowers that are in season, cut them low and place in vases. If you do have taller centerpieces, remove them before dinner begins to ensure that guests can see one another and easily converse.

Good lighting at a dinner party also sets the mood. If you have a chandelier or pendant on a dimmer, lower the lighting. Add candles and holders down the table. With candles and flowers, it's recommended that you use unscented candles or flowers that have little to no smell so that they don't overpower the food.

Bar Cart

A black, white and brass bar cart with various wine glasses and bottles of liquor.

Whether your guests prefer mocktails or cocktails, a bar cart is highly recommended. It can keep drinks, ice and glassware off the kitchen counter and located in one place. Most bar carts are available on casters for easy maneuverability.

Bar carts aren't just for drinks. We've come up with festive and creative ways of using bar carts for your next party.

Personalize It

A 4-pack of brushed brass napkin rings with a white napkin and a marble cutting board.

Make your guests feel special with personalized cards in front of each place setting. In this image, napkins rings have an opening to add place cards for your guests. But there are numerous creative and entertaining ways depending on the celebration or event.

Thanksgiving
 Don't forget those fallen leaves outside. If they're in beautiful fall shades, simply write the person's name across it with a paint pen and put on top of the plate. You can also spray paint the leaves gold for a more formal look. Mini pumpkins also make a unique base for a place card. Simply slice a line across the top of the pumpkin and put a name card on top.

Easter
Put those dyed Easter eggs to good use. Use a pen to write the person's name on the egg. Or you can fill mini Easter baskets with candy and add a tag on top of the basket.

Christmas
Buy a container of holiday ornaments and tie a name tag with ribbon across the top of each one. Or you can purchase a bag of jingle bells and slide a name tag across the opening. Lastly, place a Christmas cracker on each plate. Not only will their setting be personalized, but the crackers have tiny gifts inside.

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
 Use thick card stock and write the person's name on it. Then stick the name card into a mini succulent or in front of a small box of candy.

Birthday Dinners
 This is the time to make the guest of honor feel special. Do they love to golf? Write everyone's name on a golf ball. Do they love to travel? Use personalized luggage tags. Or if they prefer to garden, add a paper or real flower on top of each plate.

Game Night
 Game nights are typically a more casual affair, but if you want to personalize it, you can get a deck of cards or a set of poker chips. Use a paint pen to write their name on them.

Wine Night
 If you're hosting a night filled with wine, cheese and charcuterie, here's an easy tip. Collect wine corks and use a knife to slice a line across the top. Then write their name on a piece of card stock and place it on top of the cork.