How to host a memorable dinner party in your Get Living home

6 Steps to throwing a successful dinner party

Entertaining in your home is not only a great way to bring people together in a relaxed environment, but also an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills as a host. The key to a successful dinner party lies in careful planning and preparation. In this guide, we’ll help you ensure that your dinner party runs smoothly and, most importantly, that you all have a fantastic time!

1. Guest list and invitations

• Decide who you want to invite. Consider mixing old and new friends to create a welcoming and engaging atmosphere.
• Send out invitations in advance, either digitally or, as an extra special touch, hand delivered or posted invites.
• Consider using social media platforms or WhatsApp to introduce guests beforehand, helping to break the ice and foster connections before the party even starts.

2. What to wear

• Embrace the comfort of your Get Living home by choosing an outfit that makes you feel both relaxed and confident. A party dress paired with slippers? Jeans and a cosy jumper? It’s your choice!
• Make sure all your guests know your chosen dress code to ensure everyone feels comfortable with their outfit choice.

Dinner party set-up at New Maker Yards, as styled by @fabricofmylife

 3. Your dinner party menu

• Opt for low-maintenance dishes that allow you to enjoy the party rather than being stuck in the kitchen all night. Why not take advantage of Get Living’s partnership with FieldGoods, which provides sustainably sourced, delicious ready-meals. Restaurant quality food that you just have to pop in the oven to cook, then serve on your own dishes? What could be easier!
• Don’t forget to ask about dietary restrictions and preferences of your guests when you invite them, so there are no surprises on the night.
• Offer a well-stocked bar with a selection of beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, to cater to everyone’s taste.
• Serve a selection of appetisers and snacks to keep everyone satisfied until dinner is served.

FieldGoods ready meals are best served family style.

What home bar in Manchester would be complete without Seven Brothers beer and Sis4ers Gin?

4. Table decorations, aka “Tablescaping”

• Support local suppliers by purchasing table decorations such as flowers, candles, and place settings from nearby independents. For our New Maker Yards dinner party set-up we sourced beautiful homeware pieces at Nordic Muse and Form Lifestyle Store in the Northern Quarter, or Rose & Grey over in Altrincham (see full list below).
• Choose a theme or colour scheme that complements your existing home decor aesthetic.
• Personalise the table with printed or handwritten menus and name cards. You might even consider small gifts for your guests if it’s a special occasion.

Canva has a great selection of design templates you can use to add a thoughtful touch

5. Creating ambience

• Set the mood with lighting, using candles or string lights to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
• Consider creating playlist to provide a chilled edit of background music to relax your guests. Try our Get Living Spotify playlist with curated songs to enhance your dinner ambience.

Create a relaxing atmosphere with scented candles and soft lighting

6. Dinner party games and conversation starters

• Have a selection of board games, card games or even trivia to hand, ready to keep the conversation flowing and the laughter going.
• Prepare some conversation starters to help guests engage with one another, especially if there are new faces at the party.

Serve dessert with a side of friendly competition

Hosting a dinner party in your home can be a memorable and enjoyable experience with the right planning and attention to detail. By inviting your best people, dressing comfortably, preparing delicious but low-maintenance dishes, adding a few thoughtful decorations and some entertainment throughout the night, you can ensure that both you and your guests have a wonderful time.

Remember, the key is to relax, have fun, and savour the moments spent with friends and loved ones. Cheers to many successful dinner parties in your Get Living home!

Get the look:

Get Living invited interiors blogger Kate Baxter to get one of our New Maker Yards homes dinner party ready. She selected locally sourced items from some of her favourite northern homeware brands – you can read more about these brands on Kate’s lifestyle blog: Fabric of my Life.

Dining table:

• ‘Nude Swirl’ wine glasses, Rose & Grey
• Brass candle stands, Nordic Muse
• Auburn taper candles, Rose & Grey
• Bud vases (dark honey), Form Lifestyle Store
• Mini glass vases, Dunelm
• ‘Amalfi’ oval platter, Dunelm
• ‘Amalfi’ serving bowls, Dunelm
• Terracotta napkins, Amazon.co.uk

Living area:

• Black cocktail trolley, NEXT
• Black & gold cocktail shaker, Dunelm
• Black & gold cocktail tools, Dunelm
• Star cocktail stirrers, Dunelm
• Caramel Espresso gin, Sis4ers Gin
• LS Lowry gin, Sis4ers Gin
• Gin glasses, Sis4ers Gin
• ‘Brown Spot’ drinking glasses, Nordic Muse
• ‘Throw Away’ IPA, Seven Bro7hers
• Handwoven stars garland, Form Lifestyle Store