December 05, 2017
Blog
How to Host a Successful Holiday Dinner Party


Follow these tips to make your holiday dinner party a stress-free success:
Check your inventory
Do you have enough dishes, cutlery, glasses, linens, etc.? If you don’t have a matched set to for your guests, consider borrowing or buying an inexpensive set at your local discount store. The holidays are the time to be festive, so skip the paper and use linen napkins.Plan your menu
Your courses should complement each other and not leave your guests feeling too stuffed to move. Soup or salad makes a classic first course and two sides are enough to go with your main dish. A rich dinner should be followed by a simple dessert, such as fresh fruit, while a decadent dessert is fine after a lighter main course. Need some inspiration? We have many delicious healthy recipes on our blog. Pro tip: To save yourself time, consider hosting a potluck dinner and have everyone bring a dish.Check your ingredients
Make sure you have all your ingredients and kitchen tools before your start cooking. This prevents any last minute panicked trips to the store for olive oil or spices. This is also a good time to check the battery in your Precision Elite Thermocouple Food Thermometer. It takes away the stress of guessing if your meat is fully cooked or not. Our Elite Food Thermometer gives you a fast reading on the internal temperature of meat, ensuring your dish is perfectly cooked and will “wow” your guests.
Use fresh ingredients
Do your shopping a couple of days before the party. Starting with fresh, high-quality ingredients vastly improves the taste of even the simplest of dishes. Your local farmers market and butcher can help provide you with some of the best produce and cuts of meat.
Prep ahead
Don’t spend the entire day cooking and cleaning – you’ll be exhausted by the time your guests arrive. Figure out which dishes can be cooked or prepped ahead of time. Chop your salad ingredients, marinate meat, and make your dessert in advance. For a list of recipes that you can make in advance, visit our blog, Easy Party Foods You Can Make in Advance (So You Can Party Too!). Measuring ingredients with your Precision Digital Kitchen Scale gives you perfect results with your baked goods.