Let's face it. There are only so many dinner parties and events you can attend before it's your turn to host. Whether you're a natural Martha Stewart or the blue-soup-Bridget-Jones type, eventually guests will come a-knocking. So how to host a dinner party when you possess nothing with which to throw it (both in terms of cutlery and talent)? Maybe you've just moved into a new place, or maybe you're just a minimalist who doesn't go in for matching dinnerware sets, but fear not, there is a way to find your inner host.
Glassware
You don't want your guests drinking out of red solo cups like you're in an American frat house. Unless your group of friends exclusively wear string vests and call each other ‘bro’, that's never going to go down well–and yet glassware is eye-wateringly expensive, with the best wine glasses costing upwards of £75 a pop, so you'll need some tips and tricks up your sleeve to skirt the problem.
If you order your wine from Majestic, you can get free glass and flute hire for just £1 deposit per glass. Simply return them clean and you'll get a full refund. Easy. Plus, if you spend over £75 on wine, Majestic will deliver them for free.
Waitrose offer a similar service, offering free wine glasses, flutes and goblets. Go to your nearest branch and head to the customer service desk where you can pick up the glasses. In some cases you'll need to book them in advance, so don't leave it too last minute. Again, you only need to pay for the breakages.
Plates
Plates are where things get tricky. Undoubtedly you'll already own a set of two or four plates, but if your dinner party calls for more, head straight for your local charity shop. You're almost guaranteed to stumble upon a set or two. Otherwise, IKEA is a helpful old standby for cheap dinnerware; we love the charmingly ruffled ‘Upplaga’ range, and with a set of 18 pieces (six dinner plates, six side plates and six bowls) available for £36, it's not exactly going to break the bank. Remember to pick up some serving plates if your menu requires it.
Or, for another eco-friendly alternative that works well when catering en masse, compostable plates not only look smart, but will avoid any washing up. Canape King are the best for sustainable catering supplies, with everything from plates, cutlery, skewers and chip cones all made from bamboo leaves.
Menu
Repeat after us: simple and edible is best. There's no need to overcomplicate things. Skye McAlpine's guide to effortless entertaining makes a neat starting point, with laidback pasta dishes and couscous salads that even the most amateur of cooks can make. Anything you can make ahead of time and then pop in the oven once your guests have arrived, like a beef wellington, is an ideal choice too. If you don't want to cook and have a little money to burn, why not try a restaurant meal kit (this is one lockdown trend we'll never get tired of), but that feel more elevated than the standard takeaway. Bombay Bustle in Mayfair does exquisitely packaged deliveries, and it feels like an absolute treat to unpack.
For bonus points, and for those with time, writing out said menu on a smart piece of card or shop bought menu frame is the perfect finish touch to any place setting.
Lighting
There's nothing worse than a dinner party lit by a fluorescent overhead light that makes everyone look haggard and feel self-conscious. Fill the room with every lamp you have to create a wonderfully ambient glow. If all else fails, put on the Netflix fireplace and light every candle you own. Flying Tiger sell delightfully affordable coloured candles (only 50p each) that are sure to create a glow.
The table
The trend du jour might be a busy and bright table filled with placemats, chargers, coasters, name cards and more, but really none of it is necessary. Flowers are absolutely the quickest and easiest way to elevate a dinner party table. Run to your local florists or, if you have more time, order a flower delivery. Be sure to let them know that you want a table display. Supermarket flowers will do if you're on a very tight budget, just put them in your best vase.
Fabric napkins can be tied with neat ribbon bows for a smart flourish, though they can easily be forgone in place of paper napkins. For the creatives, why not try your hand at napkin folding?
Games
If everything else is going south, be sure to have one or two simple dinner party games memorised. There's nothing that will break the ice faster than a quick games of ‘Spoons’ in between starters and the main course.
