A Great Dinner Party On A Budget

by Mary Grayson Interior Designer

Most of us have had people over for dinner but we may never have thrown a formal dinner party for guests that had never visited our home before. This can either be done for work purposes or it can be done just to be nice to friends and family that you don't associate with on a regular basis. There are a number of things that you can do to throw a dinner party while at the same time, staying on a budget. Here are a few suggestions that can help you to get started.

One of the most important things for you to consider is the type of decorations that you have in your possession. If you have some pillows or other items from Dransfield and Ross and some Juliska Dinnerware, you have a great start. Just take the time to set the table and to decorate the home in advance so that you can have a dry run. This is not only going to allow you to see everything so that you can have some bragging rights, it is also going to give you the opportunity to see if anything is necessary before the big day arrives. It is not usually necessary for you to purchase anything for the table or the rest of the home, unless it is a knickknack or two to help pull everything together.

The invitation to the dinner party is also something that should be considered carefully. This can be designed using various programs on your home computer and printed, either at home or professionally. Make sure that you choose the font carefully so that it looks formal and not overly cartoon like. You should also choose high quality paper to do the printing. If you are going to be sending out formal invitations, take the necessary time to mail them in advance so that they arrive in plenty of time for the RSVP to occur.

The food is going to invariably be something that you stress over during the days that lead up to the dinner party. That is why it is important for you to choose something in advance so that you will know exactly what is going to take place, once the day arrives. It is best if you theme the food in some way or another, such as Italian or perhaps French food. This will give you the opportunity to give the different artistic flair and will help it to make sense to your guests.

Finally, you are going to need to make a decision as to whether you are going to serve wine or other alcoholic beverages. This is something that you should consider carefully, as there is some responsibility that is involved. If you are going to serve alcohol, make sure that it matches the food and the theme of the evening. You should also be very cautious to limit the amount of alcohol that is available so that you are not sending people away from the party that have had a little bit too much to drink. Some people feel that it is best if they avoid alcohol but it is a personal decision that you will need to make as the host of the party.

The author of this article throws many elaborate dinner parties for her clients, friends and family. She often gets compliments about her Juliska dinnerware set and her collection of Dransfield and Ross's napkins, towels and throw pillows. Interior designing is something she loves to do and love to share her taste and tips for others.