10 Secrets to Entertaining with Ease

Shh...our exclusive tips for party planning

Kidding. Share them with the world. We are literally here to help you throw parties.

While we love to be creative when throwing an event, we’ve also gotten party planning down to a science. And we’ve nailed our list of 10 things that make it easy to ditch the stress and host an effortless, joy-filled dinner party. So read on, party people. Your top 10 to-do list items for throwing the type of party you like best—elevated, intentional, and completely doable.

1. Stick to what you know

The first few times you entertain are not when you should experiment. Keep your dishes simple with favorite, tried-and-true recipes, and you can be confident that the evening will go off without a hitch. Save the viral recipe you bookmarked for another day.

2. Plan a 360° experience

Think about more than the guest list and the menu. Create an immersive experience with your invitations, music, décor, table settings, guest gifts, and wardrobe. Today’s best gatherings feel cohesive from the first invite to the final goodbye—thoughtful, seamless, and designed with intention.

3. Read ahead

We strongly advise you to read all menu instructions thoroughly and in advance. You never know what might be hiding in that recipe that will require a special trip to the store or a last-minute online order. A little prep now saves a lot of scrambling later.

4. Use your alarms

Set reminders for all of your party prep to keep yourself on schedule and stress-free. Your smartphone, smart speaker, or planning app can be a true lifesaver—and it only takes seconds to program the reminders you need. Or, we know something that could help… join the party and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

5. Be a gracious and mindful host

Make your entryway welcoming—greet newcomers with genuine compliments and make introductions with meaningful details to spark conversation between guests. A thoughtful introduction is the ultimate icebreaker.

6. Give early guests a job

Whether it’s lighting candles or filling water glasses, give early guests small “jobs” so they can feel helpful. It shortens your pre-party to-do list and keeps things flowing if you’re putting the finishing touches on anything.

7. Be prepared with conversation starters

Every once in a while, an awkward moment of silence can’t be avoided—but fun prompts like “two truths and a lie” or “if you could book a flight anywhere tonight, where would you go?” can get you right back on track. A little intention goes a long way toward memorable connection.

8. Bring your own sense of humor

Don’t apologize if a meal isn’t perfect—remember that your guests aren’t there because they think you’re a celebrity chef. They’re there for the connection and the laughs. The energy you bring sets the tone.

9. Clean (but not too much)

Make a plan for post-party cleanup but, until then, enjoy your guests. Don’t miss out on the best moments because you’re running shuttle service from the dining room to the kitchen sink. The dishes can wait—your people can’t.

10. How to end the night

Believe it or not, where you serve dessert can determine how late the night goes. Serve it at the table if you'd like your guests to linger awhile. Move everyone into the living room for dessert if you'd like to gently start wrapping up the evening. A subtle shift in setting signals what comes next—without saying a word.

Party on—you’re ready

There you have it. Our top 10 list for party prep. We know what it’s like juggling to-do lists, shopping lists, and menu plans—and you just don’t need to do that alone anymore. Dig into our bag of partytricks and have yourself a party (and invite your friends too—it would be a shame for them to miss it).