How to Host the Perfect Dinner Party
Words by Emma Hughes
June 04, 2025
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6m
Over the last few years, dinner parties have started to see a cultural revival. As restaurant bills have started to rise in price, younger generations are becoming more interested in hosting home-cooked gatherings, which also make for great shared experiences on social media. We’ve seen videos under hashtags like ‘#birthdaydinnersetup’ and ‘#pistachiothemeddinner’ generate millions of views on TikTok, but is there more to the trend than just saving money and getting clicks?
“People are craving connection and comfort, and dinner parties offer both,” says Matilda Bea, a lifestyle influencer from London whose dinner party videos have earned her more than 200,000 Instagram followers. “It’s about more than just food - it’s the joy of gathering, the creativity in hosting, and building memories together. It doesn’t have to be fancy - it just has to feel personal and welcoming.”
She also explains that her friend group has such busy schedules that deciding on a venue for dinner can be a struggle, so a simple dinner party takes the stress of organisation away from your guests.
Hosting the perfect dinner party can be difficult, as you have to balance the right guests with the right food, music, ambience, table décor, entertainment, and more. We’ve assembled a guide with advice from some of the UK’s top experts to make sure you can get the most out of your parties this summer. From tips in politeness from the UK’s ‘Queen of Etiquette’ Laura Windsor, to advice on décor from Barker and Stonehouse’s resident Head of Product and Displays, Lena Gierasinska, here’s everything you need to know about hosting the best dinner party possible.
What to do as a host
Food choices
As fun as it is to socialise at a dinner party, the food is an essential part of the experience. A good menu should cater to the needs of your guests, but you don’t want to scare them off with too bold a palate.“Serve food and refreshments you know will work” – says etiquette expert Laura Windsor – “and keep the menu simple, unless you’re a cordon bleu chef!”
She emphasises the importance of keeping your food choices balanced, such as keeping your first course and pudding light if you’re cooking a heavy main dish. You can also save time by cooking your food in advance, as puddings can be refrigerated ahead of time to stay tasty, while soups and salads can be prepared at short notice.
When it comes to choosing your food, Matilda Bea says to go for easy-to-prepare crowd-pleasers: “Family style dishes like big salads, pasta bakes, or sharing boards always work. They’re casual, comforting, and allow guests to serve themselves. Pair with themed cocktails or a drinks station for a simple yet elevated experience.”
You should also ask your guests about any allergies or dietary requirements in advance, and prepare alternative options for them that are just as appetising as your main dishes. Consider labelling your dishes to avoid cross-contamination, so that your guests are aware of what they’re eating beforehand.
Keep the party flowing
The last thing you want at a party is an awkward silence, where guests feel like they can’t interact casually with one another. When you’re planning out your dinner party, try to arrange your seating so that your guests can easily conversate without having any obstacles in the way.You may also want to consider a seating plan to control the chaos if you’re inviting a large number of guests. Laura Windsor suggests separating people by personality, so you can group shy guests with talkative ones to get them involved, or keep two boisterous guests apart. When using a rectangular table, you should sit at the opposite end to your co-host if you’re splitting the duties. If your party has a guest of honour, etiquette dictates that they should always sit to the right of the host.
As much as your guests will be able to get the conversation flowing themselves over time, it’s crucial to help break the ice where you can. Introduce your attendees to others on the guestlist who you think would gel nicely with them, and remember to provide enough introductory information to spark an interest.
Matilda Bea suggests an interactive element such as a DIY cocktail bar at the start of the night, as it relieves pressure as guests arrive. You should also keep the schedule simple: “I try to avoid overloading the itinerary or overcomplicating the food. Hosting shouldn’t be stressful. Keep it relaxed and low-effort with high-impact moments - like a grazing board or pre-mixed drinks - and never plan so much that you’re stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun.”
Entertainment Ideas
Without the right entertainment, a dinner party can just feel like any random get-together. It’s up to you as the host to organise an enjoyable experience, so pay attention to your guests’ mood and set up some activities to keep the spirits high.Music is an essential part of any dinner party, as it can break the silence in a room without being overwhelming, and can set the tone or help to start conversations. Laura Windsor says “the music should be just loud enough to be distinct but not drown out the conversation during dinner.”
For smaller groups, board games or charades are a reliable spot of fun, but dancing should always go down a treat with the right playlist. It’s important to avoid any activities that could cause embarrassment to your guests, so make sure you inform them of your plans for the evening’s entertainment ahead of time.
Top hosting tips
There are a lot of things to keep in mind when planning your party, so we’ve assembled a checklist of hosting tricks to make sure your night flows perfectly:
Furnishing tips for your dinner party
Looking to get your décor right for a party? Our Head of Product and Displays, Lena Gierasinska, has some tips to redecorate ahead of a get-together. Follow our advice to stun your guests with a great looking house:
1. Make room for your guests
Nobody wants to be crowded around a dining table that’s too small, so make sure your guests have ample and comfortable room. Multi-functional furniture like stools, folding chairs and ottomans can save space and enhance your décor too, while day beds and garden lounge sets are perfect for al fresco dining in larger areas.2. Choose the right furniture
For outdoor dining, try a traditional oval dining set for a formal dinner, or use benches and individual chairs around a large dining table for casual gatherings. Corner sets with coffee tables are also a great idea for serving nibbles.You can also make an impromptu bar by styling a tall table with co-ordinating stools. Some sets even come with ice buckets to keep your drinks cool.
3. Get cosy
If you’re going to be throwing your dinner party outside, your guests will likely get cold once the sun goes down. By providing a range of soft furnishings like blankets and decorative cushions, you’ll be able to give your outdoor area a friendly and homely atmosphere in spite of the weather. Hanging chairs are also a trendy way to add a quiet nook to your seating area to break away into private conversations.
4. Warm things up with a fire pit
If you’re looking for a more formal way of keeping the temperature high than cosying up with a blanket, a fire pit provides a great centrepiece to a seating area while warming up your guests in the evenings. This can also make for great entertainment, with activities such as roasting marshmallows.5. Set the scene with atmospheric lighting
The right choice of lighting can change the ambience of a dinner party drastically. Think about the tone you want to set, whether it’s a bright arrangement for indoor parties, a moody and layered approach for later nights, or solar-powered bulb lights for a magical outdoor atmosphere.
6. Get creative with garden décor for your party
By personalising your space through creative decorations, you can start to incorporate a theme for your party, or show off with unique centrepieces and floral arrangements to attract the attention of your guests. A good décor arrangement for a dinner party will stick in your guests minds once they leave, so don’t be afraid to go all out.7. Be prepared for the weather to take a turn
Throwing an outdoor dinner party in Britain is always a risky move given the unpredictable nature of our weather. Consider setting up a pergola or parasol to shield your guests from the rain if clouds begin to roll in. You can also integrate unique lighting to transform your outdoor area into a cosy, private space.
Theming ideas
For an extra touch of magic and fun, why not try giving your dinner party a theme? This could play into your décor, your food choices, your entertainment, and much more. Our dinner party expert Matilda Bea says that “themed dinner parties are having a major moment. Guests are no longer just showing up for a meal; they’re coming for a whole experience. Whether it’s a seasonal menu, matching tablescapes, or even coordinated outfits, themes help elevate the evening and make it memorable.”Here are some of Matilda’s favourite interior trend ideas from the last few years:
Cottagecore
Cottagecore is a social media trend dedicated to off-the-grid rural living. “Think gingham linens, foraged flowers, fresh pies cooling on the table and wild, wholesome dishes like roast chicken, fresh-baked sourdough and elderflower cocktails”, says Matilda, describing it as nostalgic and beautifully rustic.Martinis
“A ‘Tini Bit Older” is another favourite theme of our party expert, whose martini themed birthday dinner party is an ode to ageing gracefully. With a sleek dress code, vintage glassware, and of course a make-your-own martini bar, it’s a fun mix of kitschy humour and classy living.Coastal
Why not take a trip to the beach with a “saltwater supper” theme? With big bowls of seafood and grilled fish, crisp white wine, and a sumptuous arrangement of linens and nautical colour palettes, you can give your guests the coastal elegance of an island getaway from the comfort of your garden or dining room.TV-inspired themes
Still thinking about that show you binged recently? Why not turn it into a dinner party theme? Matilda recommends a White Lotus-style dinner with exotic dishes, themed outfits and the soundtrack added to your playlist, with bonus points for a mysterious twist to your entertainment. There are plenty of series to take inspiration from though, like a fancy Bridgerton banquet, or a spooky Stranger Things throwback to the 80s.Under the sea
This classic underwater theme is making a big comeback due to its versatile styling, letting you choose between playful vibes or a chic, enchanting ambience. Whether you’re adorning your tables with shellfish towers and seaweed salads, or giving your night a whimsical twist with mermaid-themed outfits and blue-tinted cocktails, you can easily add your own personal flair to your underwater getaway.What to do as a guest
Gift Ideas
Our etiquette expert Laura Windsor says that “it is extremely rude to turn up at anyone’s house empty-handed, so don’t just bring yourself! It’s nice to present the host with a token of appreciation.”Rather than bringing an extravagant, expensive gift, it’s better to keep your present thoughtful and simple. A bottle of wine is a classic offering, although don’t expect it to be opened over dinner, as your host may have already organised wines to pair with your courses. Books, unscented candles, plants, and chocolates are all tried-and-tested gifts that hosts love.
It’s also important to remember any requirements the host may have that would lead them to decline a gift. Some religions don’t consume alcohol, for example, or your host may have an allergy to the ingredients in your chocolates. Be sure to get to know your host before attending so you can organise some appropriate ideas.
When to arrive
If you’ve ever hosted a party, you know how stressful it can be to make last-minute arrangements before your guests arrive, which is why it’s so frustrating when somebody comes to the door earlier than expected. Our expert says that “showing up early to a dinner party is considered rude and is a clear sign that you do not normally host parties”.You should aim to arrive at a party roughly 10-15 minutes later than the time you have been invited for, which means for a 7:15pm invite, you should arrive between 7:25 or 7:30. Early arrivals can interrupt your host’s cooking plans, dressing arrangements, or any other preparation.
Let your host know if you’re going to be arriving more than 15 minutes after the invitation time, as this will allow them to adjust accordingly. Don’t lie about your ETA to make them feel better – honesty and communication are important.
Handling spills and breaks
If you’ve damaged any items in the host’s property, such as smashing a glass or spilling a drink, you should inform them immediately to make sure it can be cleaned up. Offer to pay for any damages and provide any help if your host needs it.Leaving politely
When it comes to the end of the night, try to avoid lingering too long with your farewells, as your hosts will have plenty of other people to attend to. Say your goodbyes quickly, and leave any follow-up notes in a kindly worded thank-you note the next day to let them know you enjoyed your evening!How to be the perfect dinner host
Advice from Lena Gierasinska, Head of Product and Displays at Barker and Stonehouse.