how NOT to throw a dinner party

I had originally planned on having this post titled “how to throw a dinner party” until I realized that I am not one to give anyone any sound advice on how to do such a thing. Because, let’s face it… most times, I’m a spaz. Yes, that’s a technical term.

Earlier last week, I had talked to our friends Courtney & Garrick (who are newly engaged & by far one of the greatest couples ever) because they still hadn’t been over to our place. We have all been super busy lately, so we were really excited to find out that yesterday (Saturday) was a day where we could all get together. So, I spent all week creating a menu, cleaning my house, making centerpieces, and picking the perfect wine to pair the meal.

You’re laughing now, right? I knew you would be – because that’s totally not how it went.

Step 1: Create a menu plan – that is about the only thing I stuck to on my original list of “how to throw a dinner party” tips. On the menu? The Crockpot chicken that made me gag (but was actually quite delicious from the eaters’ perspectives), roasted acorn squash, salad (from Courtney) and dinner rolls. And for dessert? Apple Streusel cake in a jar – oh yes, thank you Angela.

If you’re laughing right now because I put down centerpiece & name cards, I did it all for you – notice how it’s  blank.

Step 2: Realize you had to work until 12:30 on a Saturday & wouldn’t be as prepared as you thought you would be. At this point, you are more than welcome to begin to freak out. And yes, I did. My house was a mess, I hadn’t gotten my workout in yet, & the only thing that had been prepared was the Crockpot poultry.

Step 3: Enlist the help of your husband to clean & do household chores by writing him a sweet letter.

Dear Husband,

I would always love you if but you would could do the following:

- put dishes away

- hang clock

- hang clothes on bed

Thanks,

Your Crazy Wife

Yes that is an actual letter – yes, I call him Husband & yes, I am a Crazy Wife.

Step 4: Pretend to be doing something in the kitchen so your husband cleans more.

 

After I took these pictures, the Husband promptly told me to “forget he knew how to do these things”. Sorry honey, but I can’t – because you clean toilets & dust so much better than me. And… I have pictures to prove it.

Step 5: Set the table the night before.

I totally set the table 2 hours before. But, in an ideal world, I would have done everything I could have the night before – only I was living it up and partying hard at a candle party.

Step 6: Use other people’s recipes so you’re not making your guests the guinea pigs. Only, make sure you can’t eat it so you can’t taste it & know if it’s good or not.

I knew the acorn squash would be delicious – how can you screw up roasting acorn squash? Don’t answer that because I’m sure there is a way. It was roasted at 425 degrees for 45 minutes & topped with olive oil, maple syrup, pepper, & garlic. Loved the sweet & savory.

Jenna’s Beginner Dinner Rolls – a total hit & some are still hanging out in the freezer for the next time!

Courtney brought a salad as well – it was absolutely delicious. She mixed baby spinach with an herb blend and topped it with red onion, tomato, and avocado. Thank you Courtney!

People always tell Courtney & I that we look like we could be sisters. We rolled with it a few years ago – we actually met through the Husband. They had been really good friends for years (and still are of course) and I’m so glad we became friends as a result!

Step 7: Break a brand new wine glass (Sorry Lani).

Some of you may not recall, but a while ago, I wrote a post on just how much I hate flies. Well, we had a little bugger in our house last night & I freaked out when it landed on me. I tried to shoo it away, but instead “shoo’ed” away my wine glass… all over the clean floors. Awesome.

Step 8: Try to remedy your wine glass disaster by serving your friends awesome dessert.

For Dessert? Angela’s Apple Streusel Cake in a Jar

Holy. Cow.

 

This was honestly the best thing I’ve eaten (dessert wise) in a really long time. I couldn’t believe how good it was.

 

I made them in larger Mason jars so we could top them off with ice cream. I put banana soft serve on mine – absolutely amazing. The worse part of the night was when this was gone. Courtney was trying to tell me a story, but I interrupted her and said, “I’m sorry, but I’m really not listening to you because I’m so sad my dessert is gone.”

Talk about a  hostess with the mostest.

Step 9: When all else fails, enjoy time with friends & family, and appreciate the relationships God has given you.

Question: Have you ever hosted a dinner party? Any tales of “dinner parties gone wrong”?

Tagged as: dinner party, recipes, using other people's recipes