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Tips For Planning And Hosting The Best Dinner Party


For many of us, kids are back in school, the air is becoming crisper, days are becoming shorter and our thoughts turn from backyard bbq parties to cozy dinner parties indoors. To help us plan the best dinner parties, Monelle Totah, proprietor and founder of Hudson Grace, a lifestyle brand with several stores throughout California, and Bradley Odom, founder and principal of Dixon Rye, a lifestyle shop and interior design studio in Atlanta, Georgia, share their best tips on how to throw a great dinner party as well as holiday helpful tips.
Monelle Totah, proprietor of Hudson Grace, recommends preparing and serving southern dishes like... [+] Jambalaya, Gumbo, or Etouffee in big oversized white bowls for impact.

Special Effects rental Service , proprietor of Hudson Grace, recommends preparing and serving southern dishes like... [+] Hudson Grace

Monelle Totah’s Tips for Throwing a Great Dinner Party

Plan it out. Planning out the menu in advance in an important part of the planning process. Totah recommends asking guests if they have any food allergies first and then keeping the menu simple so you can enjoy the evening, too. She often makes southern dishes like Jambalaya, Gumbo, or Etouffee because they are easy to make ahead, delicious and always a crowd pleaser. She enjoys serving them in big oversized white bowls, too, for impact.
Set the table. Setting the table is more than just placing plates and glassware. Be creative and incorporate unique branches or seasonal fruit on the table. “Lemon trees are loaded in California right now,” she says, “and we are filling big bowls with lemons and branches.” A good tip is to start with a white tablecloth and layer the dinnerware, glasses, flatware. “Linen napkins are the pop of color and helps set the mood,” she adds.

Dim the lights. Lighting plays an important role when it comes to ambiance. “Dim the lights and light lots of candles for the perfect setting,” Totah recommends. “Unscented candles where food is being served, beautiful scented candles throughout the other rooms, starting in the entry to welcome your guests to the powder room and living room can leave a beautiful memory of the evening.” Don’t forget lighting hurricanes outside as they add a beautiful glow to the evening.
Create a signature cocktail. When it comes to drinks, consider creating a signature cocktail for the evening. Her partner Gary McNatton is enjoying sidecars these days while Totah admits she’s favoring martinis. “Any cocktail in a martini glass add a touch of sophistication and cool,” she says. Don’t forget the mocktail for guests who aren’t partaking that evening.
Mind the playlist! Music playing in the background becomes the soundtrack of the evening and makes for a great party. “The more energized the party gets, the louder the music can go,” she says.
Totah’s final tip is to always have fun. “It’s a party, no matter how big or small!"
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