How-to throw a Not-So-Fancy Dinner Party
Does anyone have fine China anymore? Seriously, I really want to know. We just recently got married, so we finally experience the wedding registry. Standing in the middle of Target, we had a brief moment of pause in front of the fancy China. We hesitated because isn’t that something everyone talks about. But really, there was no situation we could even begin to imagine in which we would use it. So what do we do?
We passed of course! Fancy China is not our style. We registered for real glasses instead of plastic cups, and that is about as fancy as you will get in our house. Your welcome!
We really like to have people over. Both my husband and I were raised to have a lot of people around. So it’s nice to have a house full of people laughing and talking and making themselves at home.
As a result, I have come to be fairly good at what I like to refer to as a “Not so fancy Dinner Party.”
It’s a method that has been perfected over time and I would love to share it with you. I feel like so many people miss out on fun, relaxing time with people because they are too intimidated to plan anything. It seems overwhelming, complicated, and expensive.
So here are my tips for a “Not so fancy Dinner Party”. If you are expecting a few courses and coordinated dishware, you may be disappointed. If you are hoping for a set table, or even food that is hot all at the same time, you will for sure be disappointed!
But if you want to relax, have fun, spend time together, and feel like part of the crazy, laid back family, this is just for you.
Rule #1: Pick something simple. Spaghetti, tacos, chili, pizza, or “breakfast for dinner” (admittedly a little more complicated that you would believe)
Things that don’t require a lot of attention and will make people feel at ease. These are tried and true and everyone loves them.
Rule #2: Come as you are. Don’t change you clothes! If you have been home all day, stay in your tshirt. If you are coming straight from work, don’t go home to change (you can borrow a pair of sweats when you get here.) If you are leaving to go to the gym, come in your yoga pants. Seriously, just come.
The other night we had a friend in her business clothes, a girl in a top knot straight from the gym, and me in my almost pajamas, all sitting around the table at the same time. No worries, no comparisons, just good company.
Rule #3: Say yes!
“Can my roommate come?” Yes!
“Should I bring something?” Why not!
“I’ll wash the dishes.” Sure, grab a towel
The definition of a “Not so fancy Dinner Party” is no expectations and no rules. If you are making tacos and someone asks if they can bring something, “Say yea! I actually forgot to get cheese.” Or “hey, guac sounds good!”
If someone says, “Can my friend come? His plans got canceled.” Say “sure, but can you pick up some more tortillas on the way so we have enough.”
Everyone is welcome, everyone helps, everyone feels part of the family. It’s the best!
Rule #4: Don’t clean up
I mean maybe sweep, or clear some space on the table (or everyone can eat on the floor in the living room… no rules). But don’t make it spotless. No need to hide your gym shoes. No need to hide your dog’s toys all over the floor, or your kids school books.
It’s your house. You LIVE there. No need to hide that.
Rule #5: Don’t sweat it.
You burn the bacon and your house smells like smoke. Open the doors, and send everyone outside to hangout.
You spills the coffee all over the counter. Just wipe it up and make a new pot.
The potatoes are done way before the entree and are super cold. Tell everyone how to use the microwave. It’s not the end of the world.
These are all real things I have experienced in my home. If you don’t quite believe me, here is a story for ya.
Case in point… We were having people over after church to meet our friend’s new girlfriend. I left early to have everything cooked and ready to go once people came over. By 2:30, lunch still wasn’t done. Everyone was starving. The eggs were freezing, and we were waiting for the bacon to finish in the oven. All of a sudden the stove started smoking and flames were jumping everywhere. We had to use the fire extinguisher, and chemicals combined with the strong smell of scalded meat filled the entire house. By 3:30, we moved locations to a friends down the street, ordered Little Caesar's, and were finally eating lunch. Glamorous!
And you know what ?! We still had fun. Afterwards everyone still stopped by to help us clean our entire house. It was a story to tell. And it was true friendship.
Or about a month ago when I “hosted” a Super Bowl party. It was last minute and I literally provided nothing but the house. Everyone brought food, people showed up that I had barely even met before, and embarrassingly enough, my dog got sick in the middle of the living room right in front of the TV. But you know what? we all had a great time!
So invite people over. Just do it. Allow people into your home and your life. Spend time being real with one another and caring for each other.
Friendships are built in the time wasted together. And sometimes that means waiting 2 hours for dinner to be done.