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You are here: Home / Reviews & Giveaways / How to Make Your Dinner Party Sparkle

How to Make Your Dinner Party Sparkle

07/06/2015 By Tammi 108 Comments

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With summer now here, there will be more and more opportunities to get together with friends and family. Due to the schedules being less hectic, it’s a good time to get together for more dinner parties. Going to dinner parties gives you the chance to try new dishes and get new recipes under your belt. It’s rare that I leave a dinner party without the thought of, ‘I need to make that dish!”.

When hosting, it’s all about the planning, being prepared for anything you or your guests might need to make the time a success. 

To help create magical evenings, Food Network Chef Michael Smith teamed up with Cascade Platinum to share tips on how to make your dinner party sparkle, while cutting down your clean up time! Want your dinner party to sparkle? Follow these tips from Chef Michael Smith and your guests will be blown away:

How to Make Your Dinner Party Sparkle

 

1. Spend time to save time. Prep as much as you can in advance – from food to your table. Smart preparation will allow you to spend more time with your guests.

2. Make your guests feel special. Thoughtful details tell your guests they are special. Set the mood with music, place cards, flowers and sparkling dishes and glasses. I use Cascade Platinum in every cycle to make sure everything is ready for a big event.

3. Start with a bang! Do something collectively right away. A group activity subtly reminds everyone “We’re in this together!”

4. Give your guests something fun to do. At some point, engage your guests in an interactive activity, something hands on, that’s not work.

5. Clean as you go. Get the mess out of the way, and load the dishwasher as you prepare dinner. With Cascade Platinum, you don’t need to worry about pre-rinsing – it will clean stuck-on food in one wash.

6. Share the work. Many hands make light work. After the main meal and before dessert, encourage everybody to pitch in with clean up.

7. Grand finale. End the evening with something spectacular, something memorable, or my favourite—something flammable!

 

Check out Food Network for more tips and recipes from Chef Michael Smith and Cascade Platinum.

Quite honestly, my dishwasher is one item I just can’t do without. Next to washing walls, washing dishes is my most dreaded chore. Not only is it just a pain, my skin disagrees with the job PLUS after a night of entertaining, dishes is the last thing I’d like to do. My game is to start the dishwasher and relax with a glass of wine. Now that’s a successful dinner party!

Do you have any other dinner party tips to share? 

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By entering the following contest you are accepting that if you win your contact information will be shared with
a P&G PR agency for the purpose of mailing your prize. This giveaway may appear on other blogs as part of the #PGmom program, however, to be fair, you can only win once per giveaway. If your name is chosen more than once, another winner will be selected.

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Filed Under: Reviews & Giveaways, Tips and Tricks Tagged With: PGmom

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Comments

  1. tanyab79 says

    07/06/2015 at 1:28 pm

    Do most of your prep work ahead of time and clean as you go to give you more quality time with your guests.

    Reply
    • erica says

      07/12/2015 at 6:49 pm

      Make every moment special and be as carefree as possible. Don’t worry if things aren’t perfect. Guests appreciate a laid back hostess, and being relaxed will make the event way more fun!

      Reply
  2. Andrea says

    07/06/2015 at 2:06 pm

    Stay organized, be kind, and always entertain! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Judy Cowan says

    07/06/2015 at 2:39 pm

    Do as much prep as you can in advance and don’t complicate the meal. You want to be able to enjoy it too!

    Reply
  4. Debbie W says

    07/06/2015 at 3:53 pm

    I make lists and create the menu ahead of time.

    Reply
  5. kathy downey says

    07/06/2015 at 4:15 pm

    I love to prepare in advance if possible,prep if needed,have table set early and be sitting with a glass of wine when company arrives and while they enjoy their drink I set the table with food.

    Reply
  6. nicky says

    07/06/2015 at 4:18 pm

    get things prepared as early as possible, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from hubby, lol!

    Reply
  7. Josie says

    07/06/2015 at 5:12 pm

    have everything prepped and ready before everyone gets there so you can enjoy yourself to

    Reply
  8. caryn s says

    07/06/2015 at 5:19 pm

    I clean as i go while i cook and prep as much food ahead of time!

    Reply
  9. Belinda McNabb says

    07/06/2015 at 6:18 pm

    my dinner party success tip is to make items that can be prepared in advance

    Reply
  10. Glogirl says

    07/06/2015 at 7:01 pm

    My tips are to prepare as much in advance as possible or go potluck style and ask your guests to bring a main course or dessert.

    Reply
  11. Jenny says

    07/06/2015 at 7:22 pm

    tidy up the day before

    Reply
  12. heidi c. says

    07/06/2015 at 7:32 pm

    Clean up as you go and enlist help so that you are not left with a big mess and no time to chat with anyone!

    Reply
  13. Victoria Ess says

    07/06/2015 at 7:45 pm

    Make a detailed meal plan, and prepare dishes ahead of time if possible.

    Reply
  14. Silvia D says

    07/06/2015 at 7:48 pm

    try and prep ahead so can spend time with guests..also make sure things for the young ones, snacks, things to keep them busy

    Reply
  15. Shelley N says

    07/06/2015 at 7:49 pm

    planning is critical

    Reply
  16. KellyPC says

    07/06/2015 at 7:54 pm

    do as much prep as you can the day before

    Reply
  17. Tina L. says

    07/06/2015 at 9:25 pm

    Do as much preparation as you can ahead of time.

    Reply
  18. Michelle Policelli says

    07/06/2015 at 9:33 pm

    I like to get things prepared a day before a dinner party that way i don’t have be running around the house going crazy getting everything done at the last minute!

    Reply
  19. Sunshine G says

    07/06/2015 at 9:54 pm

    Always do a dry run first – you never want to try a new recipe at a dinner party!

    Reply
  20. Darwin says

    07/06/2015 at 9:57 pm

    Prep what you can before hand. If all else fails, go with a potluck party!

    Reply
  21. Jodi Mitrovic says

    07/07/2015 at 12:11 am

    I always like to plan ahead and prepare as much as possible so that I can actually enjoy our guests and then I leave them mess up to Cascade! We love their products! Thanks for an awesome prize pack 🙂

    Reply
  22. Lisa H says

    07/07/2015 at 4:25 am

    Order in! lol! Prepare what you can in advance so it’s just a matter of heating and serving during your party.

    Reply
  23. Donnas says

    07/07/2015 at 4:39 am

    Don’t try out a new recipe on your guests, and prepare as much in advance, as possible.

    Reply
  24. Carol Denny says

    07/07/2015 at 4:57 am

    Do as much ahead of time as you can

    Reply
  25. Brenda Lacourciere says

    07/07/2015 at 5:07 am

    I prepare as much as I can in advance so I can spend more time with my guests. I hate not being able to sit and chat.

    Reply
  26. Soozle says

    07/07/2015 at 5:59 am

    Check with any guests for food allergies/intolerances

    Reply
  27. Florence C says

    07/07/2015 at 6:14 am

    Prepare as much as possible in advance. Delegate tasks to other members of the family.

    Reply
  28. Erin McSweeney says

    07/07/2015 at 6:40 am

    prepare as much ahead of time so you can relax and enjoy your guests.

    Reply
  29. Melinda L. says

    07/07/2015 at 6:54 am

    Have a pot luck, that way you have less dishes to prepare

    Reply
  30. Mel says

    07/07/2015 at 7:04 am

    I prep all food and decorating before a dinner party.

    Reply
  31. Erika Letson says

    07/07/2015 at 7:58 am

    Doing as much as you can the day before, even setting the table can really help. Also setting a reasonable menu, of foods you have made before, is key for me. I try to eliminate as much stress as possible, it’s supposed to be fun!

    Reply
  32. jamie hall says

    07/07/2015 at 7:58 am

    doing as much prep work as possible

    Reply
  33. Emily C says

    07/07/2015 at 8:12 am

    Make dishes you can prepare ahead of time.

    Reply
  34. Jan says

    07/07/2015 at 9:26 am

    I like to try to remember not to stress! If something fails, nobody is going to get hurt.

    Reply
  35. Debbie F says

    07/07/2015 at 9:31 am

    Prep as much as I can before guests arrive and clean up as I go along.

    Reply
  36. Elva Roberts says

    07/07/2015 at 9:35 am

    Organization and preparation are the keys to a successful dinner party, in my opinion. Give yourself more time than you think you will need and do as many tasks as you can before the day. Little touches mean a lot. Welcome your guests as a rest and unhurried hostess.

    Reply
  37. lori b says

    07/07/2015 at 9:47 am

    by preparing ahead

    Reply
  38. l p says

    07/07/2015 at 10:27 am

    some of the most successful dinner gatherings are ones that include guests in food preparation (e.g., make your own pizza – provide the base, basic sauce, and choices for toppings). being flexible with what you’re making really helps. thanks

    Reply
  39. nicolthepickle says

    07/07/2015 at 10:30 am

    My best tip is to make as much food as you can in advance. That makes it much more relaxing.

    Reply
  40. louise says

    07/07/2015 at 11:00 am

    prep work ahead and be organized that way you can enjoy the evening yourself:)

    Reply
  41. Mishelle says

    07/07/2015 at 4:08 pm

    I make a list of things to be made and done before the day and schedule them in in the days before – same with making food; set up and end time and work backwards based on how long to cook. Has worked for me for 15 Christmases/Mom’s Days/Easters/Thanskgivings etc.

    M

    Reply
  42. Jonnie says

    07/07/2015 at 6:21 pm

    My tip is to prepare as much as you can ahead of time and to go with tried and true recipes so you aren’t stressed about them turning out right

    Reply
  43. Jolie says

    07/07/2015 at 7:32 pm

    I get organized and prepare everything ahead of time.

    Reply
  44. Ali P says

    07/07/2015 at 7:39 pm

    Do meal prep the night before, and make sure everyone is relaxed!

    Reply
  45. Michelle W says

    07/07/2015 at 8:00 pm

    Do the prep work ahead of time, so you have more time to spend with your guests

    Reply
  46. Elizabeth Matthiesen says

    07/07/2015 at 8:15 pm

    Prepare as much as possible in advance so that you have more time to spend with your guests 🙂

    Reply
  47. Susan T. says

    07/07/2015 at 10:19 pm

    Prepare as much as you can ahead of time so you can relax and have fun with your guests!

    Reply
  48. Amy C says

    07/08/2015 at 12:44 am

    I like to have a plan and I also like to clean as I go.

    Reply
  49. Brenda Penton says

    07/08/2015 at 5:05 am

    I like to plan everything out and get everything prepared way in advance

    Reply
  50. Vanessa N says

    07/08/2015 at 7:08 am

    Prepare before hand so you can actually be with your guests instead of in the kitchen the entire time.

    Reply
  51. Jenna D says

    07/08/2015 at 7:46 am

    don’t make too many items that require being served hot – it’s stressful to juggle lots of reheating or timing items to finish at the same time when hosting guests

    Reply
  52. Lindsay T says

    07/08/2015 at 7:52 am

    Prep ahead so that you can enjoy yourself too!

    Reply
  53. Nicki says

    07/08/2015 at 8:34 am

    Prepping as much as you can ahead of time takes a lot of the stress out of entertaining guests 🙂

    Reply
  54. Lee-Ann S says

    07/08/2015 at 10:19 am

    Plan, plan and plan again so you can delegate and not have to worry something won’t get done.

    Reply
  55. Susan Patterson says

    07/08/2015 at 11:37 am

    My best tip is to try and get as much as you can prepared beforehand, so you have less stress when everyone arrives. Don’t forget to ask for help if you get overwhelmed, and remember to enjoy your dinner party !!!!!!

    Reply
  56. Susan Patterson says

    07/08/2015 at 1:37 pm

    I always try to get everything that I can prepared before everyone comes. This way it makes it a lot easier. If you get overwhelmed, ask for help and remember to enjoy your dinner party!

    Reply
  57. Lisa McLain says

    07/08/2015 at 4:02 pm

    Stay calm and use paper plates LOL Less clean up after so you can enjoy your company and a glass of wine by the fire !

    Reply
  58. Dianne says

    07/08/2015 at 8:56 pm

    Plan ahead, make as much as you can ahead and make a list. When I have not made a list I have forgotten to put out things I made. Also accept help from your guests if they offer. It can be fun all working together to get everything out to the table and it saves you a lot of steps so you don’t tire out.

    Reply
  59. Betty S says

    07/09/2015 at 4:56 am

    Keep it simple, you don’t need to do fancy smanshy. People want the conversation, the food is secondary

    Reply
  60. Nicole B says

    07/09/2015 at 3:35 pm

    I always prep things ahead so I don’t have to spend the whole time in the kitchen!

    Reply
  61. Sean M says

    07/09/2015 at 7:12 pm

    Convince someone else to host the dinner party 😀

    Reply
  62. leanne says

    07/09/2015 at 10:56 pm

    I try to prepare everything as early as I can.

    Reply
  63. Juliee Fitze says

    07/10/2015 at 7:27 am

    Do all the prep ahead of time and make use of slow cookers for potatoes, veg. and meats to keep warm until dinner.

    Reply
  64. Nate Fuller says

    07/10/2015 at 3:43 pm

    I try to make things ahead of time that can easily be warmed up and served.

    Reply
  65. Heather S says

    07/10/2015 at 6:21 pm

    Prep work is key for me for a stress free party. I also tidy along the way so there isn’t a huge disaster to clean at the end of the night.

    Reply
  66. Rae Jean Wycoff says

    07/11/2015 at 8:08 am

    Use recyclable disposables to keep cleanup to a minimum.

    Reply
  67. Jennifer P. says

    07/11/2015 at 12:00 pm

    For me I get all of the prep work done early – I do not like to be fussing with much once the guests arrive, so the table is set, food is prepared as much as possible (and all the clean up from prep already done), drinks are cold, glasses are out etc.

    Reply
  68. gene d says

    07/11/2015 at 12:43 pm

    clean over the course of the week. don’t wait til the last minute

    Reply
  69. Suzanne G says

    07/11/2015 at 1:51 pm

    My best tip is to invite a diverse group of people and don’t sweat the small stuff.

    Reply
  70. Grace s. says

    07/11/2015 at 1:56 pm

    For the best dinner party plan lots of make ahead dishes so you can enjoy as much as the company does.

    Reply
  71. Robyn Bellefleur says

    07/11/2015 at 2:16 pm

    I always prep ahead and try not to make dishes that require me to be in the kitchen a lot.

    Reply
  72. LMJF says

    07/11/2015 at 2:41 pm

    carrot cake needs to be made a day or more ahead…do advance things

    Reply
  73. Serena Debolt says

    07/11/2015 at 4:11 pm

    Create most of the dishes ahead of time so you aren’t struggling while your guests are there

    Reply
  74. Heather Lynne says

    07/11/2015 at 4:42 pm

    Getting things done in advance- preparation is a big one!

    Reply
  75. Lynne m says

    07/11/2015 at 7:13 pm

    Never try a new recipe that night. Be welcoming.

    Reply
  76. Carole Dube says

    07/11/2015 at 10:17 pm

    Prepare as much as possible in advance!

    Reply
  77. Elaine Buonsante says

    07/11/2015 at 11:20 pm

    Spread your house cleaning out over the week before your guests arrive so that you don’t exhaust yourself.

    Reply
  78. wendy hutton says

    07/12/2015 at 7:42 am

    do as much as possible before guests arrive have snacks/drinks set out

    Reply
  79. Kate Hearn says

    07/12/2015 at 9:13 am

    I like to have as much food prepared before hand and ready to go so I can spend time visiting, not cooking. I also like to find out allergies before hand to avoid any problems (as a shellfish allergy sufferer I know how hard it is to eat when there is stuff that can kill ya :))

    Reply
  80. Kat Est says

    07/12/2015 at 10:35 am

    Don’t try a new recipe for the first time and ask your guests if they have any special dietary requirements 🙂

    Reply
  81. Vivian D. says

    07/12/2015 at 11:32 am

    Make things simple by making dishes that you can prepare ahead of time.

    Reply
  82. Doris H says

    07/12/2015 at 11:53 am

    Get the family involved for preparing because it’s too much stress for one person.

    Reply
  83. Kris L says

    07/12/2015 at 4:12 pm

    Prepare what you can before had so you can relax a bit!

    Reply
  84. Theresa C. says

    07/12/2015 at 5:41 pm

    My best dinner party tip is to consider having a potluck! 😉

    Reply
  85. Maria says

    07/12/2015 at 6:05 pm

    Prep as much as you can ahead

    Reply
  86. zahra p says

    07/12/2015 at 10:46 pm

    Prep the night before if you can, especially things like dessert. And enlist help with cleaning the place – you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

    Reply
  87. Amber Y says

    07/13/2015 at 12:25 am

    My tip is to prep as much as you can the night before. Having to rush around during a party is the worst.

    Reply
  88. Rebby says

    07/13/2015 at 10:40 pm

    If your cutlery has hard water stains, you can shine it with vinegar!

    Reply
  89. Lisa McLain says

    07/14/2015 at 9:30 am

    prepare ahead of time ! And enjoy !~

    Reply
  90. Dayle B. says

    07/14/2015 at 9:39 am

    Make a list to do ahead of time. Also, freeze some of the appies.
    Clean up as you go. Remember to have fun.

    Reply
  91. MOHAMMAD ANJUM says

    07/14/2015 at 11:06 am

    Keep ready as you can in advance and You want to be able to enjoy it

    Reply
  92. Melanie B says

    07/14/2015 at 3:36 pm

    Try to prep as much as you can ahead of time so you can sit back and enjoy your guests!

    Reply
  93. angela m says

    07/15/2015 at 11:14 am

    Prep and plan before guests arrive.

    Reply
  94. Tammy Dalley says

    07/15/2015 at 11:32 am

    Plan organize and have lots off food on hand

    Reply
  95. Dayna Wilson says

    07/15/2015 at 4:08 pm

    Prepare as much as you can in advance and don’t be afraid to DELEGATE!

    Reply
  96. Leeannec says

    07/16/2015 at 11:07 am

    I like to have things prepared ahead of time if I know the event takes place the next day. Such as fruit and sandwiches depending on what kind. I also like to have a place for garbage so it’s not all around the house. To clean as I go so there’s no a ton to do layer on. My dishwasher is my best friend when I have gatherings with friends and family. Dishes are not my favorite but it helps when you know they will be clean with Cascade Platinum.

    Reply
  97. Doreen Lamoureux says

    07/16/2015 at 2:05 pm

    I find the clean as you go works very well. Great tips you posted though. I love them all.

    Reply
  98. Kristy Short says

    07/16/2015 at 10:46 pm

    Always have lots of snacks in case supper is a miss

    Reply
  99. Stephanie LaPlante says

    07/17/2015 at 12:47 pm

    My tip is to get most of the cooking done in advance so you can enjoy your guests.

    Reply
  100. Julie Bolduc says

    07/17/2015 at 12:52 pm

    Prepare all the food that you can before hand

    Reply
  101. Marla P says

    07/17/2015 at 10:13 pm

    Clean as you go along

    Reply
  102. Julia says

    07/18/2015 at 6:04 pm

    Clean up as you go ,don’t let it pile up!

    Reply
  103. Maria McLachlan says

    07/19/2015 at 7:15 pm

    Spend some time preparing things ahead of time. Such as chop veg and have ready or make something like lasagna where you can make ahead of time.

    Reply
  104. christine says

    07/20/2015 at 2:41 pm

    I live cooking special the gs for those I love, so nor a lot of effort is needed

    Reply
  105. Josie Tusa says

    07/20/2015 at 11:25 pm

    Plan everything ahead of time and have everything ready when your guests arrive. Try to accommodate everyone’s special needs.

    Reply
  106. Cheryl says

    07/21/2015 at 8:03 am

    I prepare as much as I can!! Never enough time once guests arrive!

    Reply
  107. Laurie P says

    07/21/2015 at 8:58 am

    Food prep ahead of time, and cleaning as I go along so there’s not an accumulation of clutter while cooking/entertaining….

    Reply

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