How to Host a Casual Dinner Party

Hosting a casual dinner party is a great way to bring friends and family together without the stress of a formal event. It’s all about creating a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels at ease while enjoying good food and conversation. With a little planning and thoughtful touches, you can set the stage for a memorable evening. From choosing a simple menu to arranging a cozy setup, this guide will help you host a dinner party that’s enjoyable for both you and your guests.

Blurry image of people at a casual outdoor dinner party with string lights. Text at the top reads: "how to plan & host a stress-free dinner party.

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How to Host a Casual Dinner Party

The most important thing you can do when planning a party is just that, plan. The earlier you start, the better. Once you decide you want to host a party, start planning.

I want to teach you How to Assemble a Charcuterie Platter. It is not difficult, but a few basic rules. A Charcuterie platter is an easy and elegant way to entertain especially if you have last minute guests without much time to cook anything.

What is a casual but intimate dinner?

The definition of an intimate dinner varies from person to person. Some may consider 20 people intimate, and others think 8 people constitutes an intimate dinner party. I think an ideal size is around 6-8 people or the number your largest table will seat.

Keeping the gathering to 8 people or fewer simplifies the cooking process, helps with seating arrangements, and prevents the atmosphere from turning into a big party. Having a small guest list also gives you plenty of time to prepare, cook, and engage in meaningful conversations with friends.

Casual Dinner Party: Initial Decisions

Decide your theme and budget. Check out Dinner Party Themes for each Month of the Year.
Creating a manageable guest list is essential. Hosting a smaller gathering is less stressful and friendlier to your budget (preparing meals for large groups can be expensive). While you don’t have to limit yourself to one group of friends—dinner parties are a great way to introduce mutual acquaintances—it’s generally better not to have a guest list mainly consisting of strangers.
Plan a seasonal menu, do what you know, ask about allergies, plan and prepare food items with cooking times, etc.
Plan for cocktails, but have non-alcoholic drinks and water. Don’t forget ice.
Think about entertainment, music, and games.

A person pours red wine into a glass at an outdoor dining table filled with colorful dishes of food, including a platter of bruschetta.

Organization is key

Timeline: One week ahead

Casual dinner parties don’t need to be structured and formal. However, planning is key to ensuring your dinner goes off without a hitch. I use a general timeline that you can quickly adapt to your event. So feel free to adjust it according to your schedule.

Set a Budget: Figure out how much you’re willing to spend on guests, the menu (more below on menu planning), drinks, and any decor.
The Guest List: Opt for a close-knit group of friends or family to create a more intimate setting.
Send out Invites: I recommend a stress-free approach like an individual or group text or email invitation at least one week in advance.
Pick a Theme: While optional, a theme can add a fun touch. Consider planning your menu around it.
Choose the Setting: Your dinner doesn’t have to be in the dining room. If the weather is nice, consider having it outside. If your living room is larger than your dining room, consider having it there.
Decor & Ambience: Make the guests feel at home and at ease. Everyone should feel at ease, and the focus should be on your guests. The best way to help everyone relax and be themselves is by providing plenty of fun activities to keep them entertained. Remember ambiance you create affects mood so try different types of lighting and play music to set the mood. Your lighting should make your house glisten. Stay away from bright overhead lights, and use a mixture of lamps and candles to produce soft light pools across each room. Keep your decor simple yet charming. Add a small bouquet of flowers and warm candles. Know your limitations. If you’re not a decorator, hire it done, or ask a friend to help.
Decide whether you want to serve the food family-style or buffet-style. If your table has enough space, you can pass dishes around. If not, setting up a buffet on the buffet table or kitchen counter works great. Serving food can feel like a hassle for both you and your guests, so it’s something to keep in mind.

Tablesetting basics:

Plates: For dinner, salad, and dessert.
Utensils: Dinner and salad forks, butter knives, dessert spoons, and steak knives if necessary.
Glasses: For wine and water.
Napkins: Either linen or paper.

Create the Menu:

Now, onto the highlight of the night—the menu! Keep it simple yet elegant with one appetizer, one main course, one side dish, and one dessert. And, make a pitcher of cocktails or wine to compliment the meal.

Personalize the Menu:

Consider your guests’ dietary preferences or allergies. It’s always a good idea to inquire in advance. Try to accommodate without adding too much stress to your preparations.

Most guests appreciate a seasonal menu with fresh ingredients and cooking styles to suit the time of year. Bonus, seasonal ingredients are typically cheaper!

More Casual Dinner Party Tips:

For a laid-back gathering, invite your friends to pitch in. They could bring a side dish, some dinner rolls, an appetizer, or a bottle of wine. This not only lightens your workload but also helps them feel like part of the event.

Cleaning

Don’t stress too much about cleaning. Skip the floor mopping, but make sure the bathrooms are presentable. Also, keep some coffee or tea ready—it’s a great way to wrap up the evening alongside dessert.

Keep the Bar Stocked

Make sure your bar has something for everyone! Guests will love classic cocktails like Manhattans, Martinis, Sidecars, and Cosmos. Stock the basics—rum, gin, scotch, vodka, and rye. A standard 1.14-liter bottle of each should be plenty unless everyone’s only drinking spirits.

It’s also fun to have a “house drink” ready to go, something you can offer right away. Stock up on about twice as much of that compared to everything else. For beer, aim for a mix of imported, light, and domestic options so there’s something for every taste.

Don’t forget nonalcoholic drinks. Some guests might not drink or could be pregnant, so have mocktails on hand. These seltzer and fruit juice drinks are always a hit.

And hey, if you’re not a non-drinker, pour yourself a glass of wine or beer while finishing party prep. It’ll help you relax, and when you’re calm, your guests will feel comfortable too.

Timeline: One to two days ahead

Shop for perishable and refrigerated items
Make sauces and anything that can be made ahead of time
Confirm entertainment

Relax & Have Fun:

The whole point of having friends over is to make great memories. Don’t stay stuck in the kitchen all night—grab a glass of wine and enjoy hanging out. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. People will remember if the food’s good, especially if they’re foodies. They won’t remember the tablescape.

Try some of my recipes for your casual dinner party!

I may be biased, but I think we have some pretty amazing recipes at Call Me PM! So if you’re struggling for inspiration on what to cook, try some of these recipes:

Pimento Cheese Recipe

Processed cheese shreds much easier when it’s very cold! A 8 ounce block of processed cheese will yield just over 2 cups shredded. Use this Pimento Cheese recipe on sandwiches, burgers, as a dip or spread.

How to Host a Casual Dinner Party

What is a casual but intimate dinner?

Casual Dinner Party: Initial Decisions

Organization is key

Timeline: One week ahead

Tablesetting basics:

Create the Menu:

Personalize the Menu:

More Casual Dinner Party Tips:

Cleaning

Keep the Bar Stocked

Timeline: One to two days ahead

Relax & Have Fun:

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