What is more fun than inviting your friends over for good food and conversation? Studies show that sharing a meal with our friends and loved ones can make us happier and healthier. 

However, throwing a dinner party can be stressful and overwhelming, mainly if you are inexperienced. However, it does not have to be. Hosting a party at home can be stress-free and straightforward, especially if you start the planning and preparation well in advance and try not to get too hung up over the more minor details. Even if you are a novice, you can throw a successful dinner party that both you and your guests will enjoy.

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Ask about allergies in advance
While you probably know if your family and close friends have an allergy, it is always worth double-checking in advance. The last thing you want to find out is that they have a dairy allergy as you pull the baked camembert out of the oven or are whipping up the cream for dessert. The chances are that if a guest has an allergy or can’t eat something for religious reasons, they will let you know about it, but it is always good to ask.

Go with what you know
Do not risk trying a completely new to you dish for the first time on the night. Opt for meals you have cooked at least once or twice before or a straightforward but impressive meal such as this easy recipe for kung pao shrimp. It is also important to remember that increasing a recipe for a more significant number of guests can affect cooking time, so make sure you have practiced that as well. 

Do the hard work first
Try to get as much prep work as possible out of the way ahead of time. Look for recipes that include instructions on “plan ahead” and mention what can be prepared (up to a day or two) early. You can usually chop and prepare vegetables the day before. You can also set the table in advance – Pinterest has some great ideas for fun and creative table settings. 

Clean as you go
One of the worst parts of hosting a dinner party is the big clean-up operation afterward. No one wants to walk into the kitchen when the guests have gone home, and everyone is tired to be faced with a towering pile of dirty pots, pans, and plates, or worse still, the following day. While you can’t avoid some washing up after, try to wash pots and pans, and clean down the surfaces as you use them. A good trick is to start with an empty dishwasher or sink full of hot, soapy water, so you can pop it all straight in as they are used.

Have fun
Last but not least, do not take it too seriously. Nobody will care if the casserole is ever-so-slightly uneven or the drinks are not in elegant crystal glasses – they are getting a meal cooked for them and great company.