How to host a dinner party for six
A simple plan for six guests, from the table to the last plate cleared.
4 min readMaking weeknight dinners feel like an occasion
Five small habits that turn an ordinary Tuesday supper into something to look forward to.
3 min read
Most of our meals are not dinner parties. They are Tuesday suppers eaten after a long day. A few small habits make those meals feel like more than refueling, and none of them take more than a couple of minutes.
1. Always set the table
Even for two, even for one. Placemats, a plate, a glass and a napkin change eating into dining. With a set of 6 placemats, there are always two clean ones ready while the others are drying.
2. Light one candle
One candle in a holder does more than the brightest overhead light. It softens the room and makes gold placemats glow. Keep it in a holder and off the vinyl.
3. Use real napkins
Cloth napkins are a small luxury that wash with the rest of the laundry. Ivory or deep green look especially good against gold.
4. Keep a base on the table
Leave your placemats and a runner out all week. The table always looks set, and dinner only needs plates. A runner such as the Chinar Leaf gives the table a centerpiece without any flowers to replace.
5. Clear together, quickly
A wipe of each placemat with a damp cloth takes less time than loading the dishwasher. The table is ready for breakfast before the kettle boils.
None of this needs a special occasion. That's rather the point.
