Dinner is Served: Creative ways to entertain from fancy and formal to casual and unconventional

Many people who love to entertain have a passion for the rituals to do so. We think there’s no single or perfect way. More important, It’s about being around people at a time when socializing is important for good mental and, yes, physical health as we age. How you choose to entertain is highly personal. 

Some enjoy bringing forth the good crystal and china and hosting a sit-down dinner around a well-set table where the guests are served different courses. The conversation tends to flow non-stop when guests stay put. Maybe classical music or jazz plays softly in the background. Wine is poured and the open bottle is left in a wine bucket to keep it chilled or just to rest during the meal. 

But a dinner party doesn’t have to be fussy, formal and static. It can be a hybrid between a sit-down affair and a serve yourself buffet. For example, the host may pass the appetizer and main course sit-down style but, like the Europeans do, have a plated salad after the entrée with imaginative components or even a cheese course. Wine bottles may be lined up and guests do their own pour. 

Then there are those who like an even more unstructured setting, a nicely set table and spirited buffet that encourages guests to get up, serve themselves (sometimes right from the stove in the kitchen) for each course, eat what they want and when they want, then sit back down, tell a good story, relax and get up when hungry again.  

What about a moveable feast outside, a backyard barbecue or picnic, now that warm weather is here, casual all the way, noisy, busy with rock music of the past playing--maybe some guests get up and dance? This is where people can eat with their fingers. Pick up foods. Paper plates, paper napkins, nothing that breaks. Sit wherever, sip, dip, and chips to nibble on.  

The grill is nearby where the host cooks hot dogs and hamburgers or other barbecued foods and a pot of baked beans. There’s a giant container of potato chips, pickles and other condiments. Guests can serve themselves right from the barbie (barbecue pit) and go back to fill plates. The living is easy so guests party in jeans or even shorts or bathing suits, if it’s a pool party. 

We have more entertaining ideas to inspire those who like to do so and have no fear and those who go into a sweat at the idea of having anyone over. This is not about being the next Martha Stewart, Ina Garten or Joanna Gaines, but about being with friends and enjoying some food and drink. Here is our list. Some may be unorthodox and new ways to host. 

Wine and Cheese. If formal and celebratory, maybe serve bottles of bubbly. It doesn’t have to be the real deal, Champagne, but a prosecco, cava or sparkling rose. Or do a flight of wines and have a tasting if you host wine aficionados. Guests can voice their opinions; we’re all critics. Just serve some Marcona almonds, olives, some veggies and hummus and a few cheeses. Be sure to have some gluten-free crackers or bread. This is a good time to invite vegetarian friends. 

Desserts Only. This says it all. Invite the gang for desserts featuring maybe three or five of your faves from carrot cake and flourless double chocolate cookies to peach pie (if peaches are in season), pot au crème and a mixed fruit tart. For something a bit more formal, try poached pears served with chocolate butter cookies or delicious deep dark chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing and throw in wine to complement the desserts such as Sauternes, a Reisling or if chocolate is served, a full-bodied Cabernet or sparkling wine. 

Bring Your Own Booze (BYOB), or appetizer or some cash. One woman told us when her friends do dinner or lunches at someone’s home, each person brings their drink of choice. The meal is on the host. If it’s a barbecue, the host provides the food and one signature drink, and guests bring appetizers and their favorite beverage. If this is a group that gets together often, someone will host at their house, but everyone kicks in money for the shebang. 

Brown Bag It. Maybe it’s your book club that meets monthly. The routine is that everyone brings their own food, drinks are supplied by the host and then the group holds a discussion after. This is not about the food. It’s merely an opportunity for a group of friends to get together on a regular basis without one person having to pick up the cost and buy and serve most of the meal. 

Book it. On the other hand, we know of some book clubs that do themes. The host is responsible for table settings, foods, beverages, even costumes--based on the work they’re reading that month. The meal might hark back to another era or feel like you’re in another country. Here, creativity is the star, along with the book. 

Pick me ups. A regular group of friends gets together to play games or cards. Simple pick-up foods are served that the host can prepare—sandwiches, dips, mushroom tartlets, mini quiches, spanakopita, pigs in the blanket and caramelized bacon. Or the host can buy some salads and appetizers in the prepared food section at a grocery store and supply drinks. This is all about getting together to have fun. 

Tea please. Think British high tea, jolly good. Feature various teas from which to choose and have all the right equipment to make tea from scratch. Complement with scones, crumpets, butter cookies and an assortment of finger sandwiches on crustless buttered white bread such as watercress, turkey, egg salad, cucumber and smoked salmon. Have clotted cream and lemon wedges. Then maybe before or after high tea, go see an exhibition of Turner prints, if there’s one in your area.  

Tacos, dips and chips. Ole. Have a Mexican theme. Serve margaritas, guests assemble their own tacos (have all the fixings), big bowls of guacamole and chips, play mariachi music and wear a big hat. If you have a giant-sized TV, maybe you turn on YouTube and everyone learns how to do such Mexican dances as the Danza de Diablos.  

Potluck. Have a theme, maybe Halloween or an election party. Come up with a signature drink---Blood Orange Zombie* or a Red, White and Blue Campaign Cocktail* (our concoction/see recipes below). Everyone brings one dish (keep a list and fill in with pizza if you need to) and you supply the booze. You might offer some nibbles such as nuts, chips, candies and a dip or two. 

You pick two: soup and salad. This is a great way to entertain. If summertime, you might serve something light and fresh such as cold avocado or cucumber soup, smooth and soothing with a splash of lemon, a bite of cilantro. Served icy cold. Or colder weather dictates a heartier soup such as mushroom barley or a thick vegetable one. Soups can be made ahead. In fact, the flavor actually improves with time. Then have a salad bar with fixings and let guests create their own. You might serve a dessert that only requires fingers rather than plate and fork such as a variety of cookies and bars. Some even like to keep it really simple and buy these at Costco or a local bakery or supermarket.

A CYO (cook your own) party. Everyone is invited to make their own entree. Told ahead of time what they’ll be making—maybe sushi or pasta, each guest may be asked to bring one ingredient. The host might want to be specific as to the type and brand and even make assignments. Then, the host supplies the wine, beer and dessert, something easy like a plate of chocolate brownies. Have big pitchers of Sangria or beer for guests to sip while cooking.   

Fast food bonanza. This can be fun and is a great way to celebrate a sporting event like the Superbowl. Find out each guest’s favorite fast food and try to prepare your version of it. You can do hamburgers/cheeseburger sliders, chicken fingers with different dips, chicken wings, hot dogs slathered in chili with relish, ketchup and different mustards on the side. Add fmbierench fries, hashbrowns or onion rings, which can now be prepared in an air fryer. As a special treat, serve milkshakes and malts or ice cream sundaes with toppings (nuts, cherries, hot fudge, butterscotch sauce, sprinkles, whipped cream—the possibilities are endless). 

Big birthday special. Childhood redux. Have a bash featuring the birthday person’s favorite childhood foods from the 50s and 60s: onion dip and potato chips, pimento cheese on crackers, thin crust pizza, eggrolls, tangy Italian salad made with iceberg lettuce, fruit laden Jello molds, ambrosia, desserts such as pineapple upside down cake, toll house chocolate chip cookies, frozen Snicker’s bars, Baked Alaska, cherries jubilee. Have bowls of penny candy. Do you feel like a kid again? 

Brunch.  There are so many menu choices, and you can be creative. This can be simple or as complicated as you want to make it, can be a sit-down affair or buffet. Start with fresh orange juice. Menu suggestions include baked egg casseroles, scrambled eggs, frittatas and omelets with all kinds of fillings, fancy or plain French toast or stuffed and pancakes or waffles, smoked salmon, cream cheeses and various bagels, olives and pickles, Swiss cheese and turkey on good bread or croissants, breakfast meats such as bacon, Canadian bacon, sausage or ham. Lots of fruit. A veggie tray with or without dip is a healthy addition. A coffee cake or babka, cinnamon or chocolate, for a sweet ending. And doughnuts are always welcome. After this you won’t want dinner.

Pour good coffee and offer cream and sugar. Make espresso if you have a machine and bring out the milk or cream frother, offer tea and maybe hot chocolate if you’re a fan, with marshmallows or a big dollop of freshly made whipped cream. 

Each of these entertaining ideas, whether fancy and formal to utterly unpretentious, has just enough bulls-eye dishes to keep guests happy, relaxed and, most important, able to enjoy each other. If doing so still makes you cringe or get nervous, plan one of these events with a friend who’s more confident and enjoys the process or even hire a caterer. The point is to be together and in a home rather than a very noisy, crowded, expensive restaurant.

If you have an entertaining idea, please share it in the comments section. We welcome your feedback, pun intended.  

*Signature Cocktails:

A Blood Orange Zombie

1.     Combine blood orange juice, vodka, and grenadine.

2.     Serve in a salt-rimmed glass with a "blood bag" ice cube, made by freezing a mixture of grenadine and water.

3.     Add dry ice for a Zombie eerie effect

Recipe from 15+ Blood Drinks for Halloween Cocktails 2024

Red, White and Blue Campaign Cocktail

1.     Fill a highball glass with ice.

2.     Pour Campari with a mix of red Sweet Vermouth to make the red layer, allowing it to settle at the bottom of the glass.

3.     Slowly pour blue curaçao or Empire blue 1908 Gin over the back of a spoon, so it floats on top of the red layer.

4.     Gently put in lots of chopped ice for the white layer.

5.   For some fizz, pour on top some sparkling water. 

5.     Garnish with a flag and straw.

6.   After serving and before drinking, stir at least 10 to 30 seconds with the straw to mix the ingredients.  

Recipe courtesy of Erik Wagner, Physical Therapy Assistant and liquor hobbyist