MILP EP24: Dinner Party Featured Image

Merging Into Life: Planning a Dinner Party

SEASON 1: EPISODE 24
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How to serve up an unforgettable evening. 

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IN THIS EPISODE

Planning a dinner party is exciting. Whether it’s for a holiday or a gathering of friends (maybe even a few strangers), there’s nothing like sitting down and sharing a meal. Inviting people into your home to connect and break bread is the ultimate act of hospitality, but there are certain do’s and don’ts to ensure the night flows smoothly.

If you’re wondering how to plan your first dinner party, Dana Marie Roquemore, founder of the Dinner Party Project and professional host, is here to guide you.

So, pick a date, send out your invites (eight guests is ideal) and press play. Roquemore’s hosting tips include everything from picking the perfect menu and setting the table to gracefully wrapping up the evening.


KEY TAKEAWAYS

[4:20] – How to plan your dinner party menu without breaking the bank.
[6:26] – The decorating basics: keys to nice tablescapes and centerpieces.
[11:26] – The keys to having a successful, meaningful dinner party.


TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:01]
Amanda Greene: Back in my 20s, there was just so much hanging out all the time. Friends would just stop by. We’d order food, eat together, talk for hours. It’s funny how far away that feels now. I’d love to have friends over again, but with hectic schedules, so little free time, a messy house that would need to be tidied first, and the kids, I just don’t do it anymore, but maybe it’s time that changed. Welcome to Merging Into Life, where we navigate life’s milestones one episode at a time. Brought to you by AAA Northeast. I’m your host, Amanda Greene. Today, we’re going to talk about hosting a dinner party. Dinner parties can be so fun, but also daunting. If you aren’t a very specific kind of person, being responsible for the good times of a group of friends and maybe even strangers is a lot of pressure. But getting together is not only fun, it’s important. A few years ago, the American Heart Association surveyed 1, 000 adults, and 84% of them said they wished they could share a meal with loved ones more often. That’s a lot of people. That same study found a correlation between sharing meals and lowering stress. We owe it to ourselves and the people we care about to get together once in a while and break some bread, even if it’s gluten-free. But there are a lot of elements to hosting. There’s food, drinks, creating ambiance, table settings. But don’t worry, have I got a guest for you.

[00:01:29]
Dana Marie Roquemore: A friend of mine asked me what brings you life and what brings you joy, and what are you not doing that you should be doing? I thought I guess if I could do anything that I wanted to, I would throw dinner parties.

[00:01:39]
Amanda Greene: That’s Dana Marie Roquemore, founder of The Dinner Party Project.

[00:01:43]
Dana Marie Roquemore: It really just started as a project of I have a dining room table that seats 8 people and I’ll invite 7 strangers over to my house to just share a meal together.


RESOURCES

The Dinner Party Project

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