Easy Home Entertaining

Whether you’re hosting a girls’ night in or a casual get-together (game night, perhaps?), try these crowd-pleasing appetizers, fun party ideas, and easy cocktails.

Creative Party Ideas

The Best and Worst Appetizer Choices
Registered dietitian Jean Harvey-Berino ranks the healthiness of 10 popular appetizers.

Stock Your Cocktail Bar
Entertaining expert A.J. Rathbun picks the liquors and mixers to splurge (or save) on.

Appetizers, Cocktails, and More

10 Instant Hors d’Oeuvres
These store-bought morsels go from package to plate in mere minutes.

Host a Casual Tapas Party
Easy recipes and hosting tips for an inexpensive, Spanish-inspired gathering.

Dinner Party Checklist

This step-by-step plan will ensure that you, too, will be able to sit down at your next dinner party.

• Choose a theme, if you want one. Decide whether it will be an elegant soiree or a cozy supper, then think about a theme in terms of season, occasion, and guest list. Make, buy, or borrow any related decorations you might need.
• Extend invitations. Mail, phone, and e-mail invites are all acceptable; the more formal the dinner, the more appropriate a written invitation, perhaps tied into the theme. Include such details as the date and time (typically 7 p.m., which allows an hour for cocktails, appetizers, and mingling), the deadline to RSVP (a week before party day), your address, and suggested attire if formal.
• Plan the menu. Keep it fairly simple, including make-ahead dishes if possible (so you don’t spend too much time running in and out of the kitchen), and take the weather into consideration.

View The Entire Checklist