A dinner party is more than just an occasion to dine and converse. If you’re the host, you know that there will be plenty to do, from the initial planning to cleaning up after your guests leave. To make it even more stressful, you may want to leave an impression that is very important in your life. Perhaps you are newlywed bride and want to show to your parents-in-law just how likable you can be. Or, you may want to impress your boss in hopes of getting promoted. Whatever your reasons may be, the process is similar. It requires plenty of work and patience.

Before you begin, you have to write a list of who you wish to invite. If you don’t believe that you’ll have enough seating available, consider buying some antique chairs and getting them reupholstered locally. It’s not as expensive as you think, but you have to take care of it ahead of time. Upholstery shops can get busy, especially around the holidays, which is when most dinner parties are planned. If you’re short on time and it’s a warm season, consider hosting your dinner party outside on your patio. If some of your guests are children, seat them at their own table.

If you have more than eight guests, you can seat them at one single table or opt for two tables, with four or more people per table. One single table works with smaller groups, but it makes conversations difficult as the group gets larger. Large tables give a sense of formality that you may or may not wish to protrude. Two tables, on the other hand, are cozier and allow guests at the same table to get to know each other. The problem is where the host should sit. If the host sits at another table, some guests may feel neglected. Make sure to mingle with everyone and put equal time and effort into every guest.

Once you solve the seating dilemma, it’s time to think about the menu. Collect some recipes you’d like to use and then actually make the foods well ahead of time. Recipes look good on paper, but we all know that not all of them turn out to be what we expect. Sometimes we don’t have the right pots, pans, or appliances and other times the instructions are misleading and wrong. Try cooking the meals before you decide on them. Try to avoid using ingredients that might cause your guests to have an allergic reaction. Cook alternative foods just in case. If you don’t know much about your guests, it’s a good idea to include the menu with the invitation and encourage your guests to contact you ahead of time if they are allergic to any of the foods on the menu. Remember that children will sit at their own table. Cook foods especially for them that are easy to eat and don’t make a big mess. Many moms and dads are very strict with sugar foods when it comes to their children. Some adult guests may be diabetic. When serving dessert, make sure that you can offer a healthy alternative to accommodate those guests.

Once you decide on the foods, it’s time to think about how you will present them to your guests. Decide on the overall theme of your party and look for unique items that will represent your theme. If you’re serving Mexican food, serve food on bold colored plates. If your aim is to go for a formal dinner party, white dinnerware with subtle silver or gold accents, as well as plain white napkins and matching silver or gold candlesticks and napkin holders are ideal. For an Asian dinner party, decorate your room with paper lanterns and Thai silk napkins or table cloths. Write down insightful phrases and put them inside your own fortune cookies. If you’re cooking Mediterranean food such as Italian or Greek, bring in plaster sculptures of ancient Greek or Roman figures and design with white as your predominant color. If your theme is about ancient Rome, consider buying laurel leaf headbands for the children. Buy a couple more white bedsheets and dress the children in a Roman toga if they wish. It will be a lot of fun for them and keep them entertained. For an Egyptian dinner party, write your guests’ card holders or name tags in hieroglyphs. Fill glass vases with sand and use a couple of silk flowers to accent them.

When sending out your invitations, design them with the chosen theme in mind. Make sure to tell your guests information that they may need. If your party is outside, tell them to bring a jacket. If the dinner is served on the floor, not at a table, advise your female guests to wear pants instead of skirts.

When the day of the dinner party arrives, don’t panic. Too many dinner parties are ruined by hosts that are in a bad mood. Make sure to prepare whatever you can ahead of time. Find time to unwind, relax and put yourself in a good mood before your guests arrive. And remember, it’s all about having fun!