Enjoy Good Food, Good Friends, And Good Fun This Fall

Looking for a fun way to spend time with friends and family this fall? Host a dinner party! They’re a great way to catch up and make new memories over delicious food.

The great thing about hosting a fall gathering is that you’re in control–it can be as casual or as well-planned as you like, but a few tips for success never hurt anyone! And with the endless social activities our expert team plans at Sunshine Retirement Living communities in Texas, we certainly have some experience! Keep reading for some of our top tips for hosting a wholesome dinner party this fall.

Send invitations early and ask for RSVP

It’s essential to know how many people will be in attendance when planning your dinner party. Be sure to send out an invitation that indicates who is invited and provide an RSVP by date. This will give you an idea of how much food and seating you will need to prepare.

Plan your dishes in advance

To point out the obvious, food is at the center of a dinner party, so you’ll want to plan your dishes in advance to get all of the ingredients you need. If you plan to create a dish for the first time, it’s a good idea to make a practice round to avoid any complications when it’s time for the dinner party. Here are a few dish ideas that will delight your guests:

Keep it simple

While everything is bigger in Texas, it doesn’t mean it can’t be simple! Consider selecting a combination of pre-made items and homemade items to serve at your gathering. This will make it easier to prepare and reduce your workload, and is also an awesome opportunity to support your favorite local businesses.

Request that guests bring side dishes

To ensure there is something that every guest will enjoy, and to make your life easier, request that your guests each bring a side dish. These could be snacks, appetizers, drinks, desserts, or whatever else they may choose. If you decide to do this, be sure to coordinate with guests so that not everyone brings the same thing! Of course, if you have a smaller, more intimate dinner party, you can opt out of asking guests to bring side dishes and simply invite them to enjoy the meal.

Prepare food in advance of your guests’ arrival

You’ll want to prepare all of your dishes before your guests arrive–or at least as many of them as possible. This will prevent guests from getting hungry, but it will also allow you to sit back and enjoy the company! When guests arrive, have them put out their side dishes and snacks for grazing, while you have any necessary dishes in the oven or on the stove.

Set the atmosphere

To tie the dinner party together with some finishing touches, set the atmosphere. Consider tastefully decorating and setting the mood with some excellent music (or the football game if your favorite team is playing). Here are some fall-themed decorations and items to consider:

Fall-colored dishware and napkins
Artificial fall foliage
Plaid table runners
Pumpkins
Garland

Smile, Relax and Enjoy Good Company!

Hosting may seem like an overwhelming and demanding task, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t be afraid to ask your friends and family for help, or request that they serve themselves. The whole point is for everyone to have fun–-including you! So don’t stress, and enjoy quality time with those you love.

If you plan on hosting a fall dinner party, be sure to refer back to these tips to help the process go more smoothly. At our Sunshine Retirement Living Communities in Texas, we love hosting parties, socials and other events for our residents to get in the holiday spirit and enjoy each other’s company.

Contact our friendly team today to learn more about Sunshine Retirement Living’s 55+ communities in Texas.