Avoid these host mistakes to ensure your party goes off without a hitch .

Photo : Brie Goldman

Today’swell - curated dinner party partiesmight look oh - so - effortless , but in realism , host is no prosperous task , and it often includes making a few mistake along the way . We ask home and hosting content creator Kenzie Elizabeth what mistakes to never make to perfectly execute your coming dinner party .

Table set with green, blue, and gold serveware and utensils

Credit:Photo: Brie Goldman

Kenzie Elizabethis a home and hosting content Godhead , podcast horde , and owner of the family brand Friend of Mine .

Hosting Mistakes to Avoid

When prepping for her many dinner parties and soirees , Elizabeth ensures she never cause these host mischance .

If there ’s one misunderstanding to never get caught pee-pee , it ’s being under - prepared . Whether it ’s food , decor , or activeness , Elizabeth says enough prep fourth dimension ( ideally multiple days ahead of the result ) is the key to a successful gathering . " The number one thing I ensure to never do is forget everything to the sidereal day of , " she says .

Elizabeth follows a provision schedule that works rearwards from the start of the event . For example , if the company is on Saturday eventide , she arrive at a leaning of food and decorations that want to be prepped the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. of , one day before , two 24-hour interval before , and so on . That direction , when it ’s time for the issue to start , she can jaw with node and bask herself without stressing about what still needs to be done .

Overhead shot of a build your own pizza party that uses a grill to cook assembled pizzas

The most crucial part of her prep schedule is be after what and when to prepare . " I always have a docket when cooking , " Elizabeth says . " I will never just cook and hope for the best . " be after around the reaching time , so all the solid food is quick when it ’s prison term to serve dinner party . To see to it no tender dish aerial is served cold and frailty versa , seek serve one hot dish withcold sides . That way , you do n’t have to coordinate cook time and temperature with a fistful of dish antenna .

2. Inviting Too Many People

Another mistake legion make is inviting too many people , especially when their home or company outer space is small . Elizabeth ’s idealistic number of node is between six and eight for a more internal dinner political party .

" You do n’t need to call for 15 people , " she say . " you may have an familiar dinner party that does n’t finger so crowded and crazy . " Not only does a smaller guest tilt mean fewer masses to fee ( and less money spend on groceries ) , it also mean more opportunities to talk with everyone and less stress over a bigger gathering . " aboveboard , the best dinner parties I ’ve ever thrown have been the smallest . "

3. Buying Fresh Flowers for Every Event

Costs can quickly total up if you ’re buy groceries , unfermented flowers , and new interior decoration to fit a theme for every party or meal you host . rather , Elizabeth suggest investing in quality pieces you’re able to recycle . She specifically recommends purchasing real - looking unreal flower or else ofbuying refreshful bloomsall the metre .

" I used to spend a lot of money on florals for my home , even regularly , " she tell . Hydrangeas , Elizabeth ’s favorite flower , are n’t aboriginal to her home State Department of Texas , so she was n’t able to get saucy blooms on a budget . Now , she says she use twig of artificial hydrangea ( from Amazon ! ) for every get - together she hosts . " Once you discover the right ones , you save a lot of money over time , " she says . " Now I ’m not always buying unused flowers . "

4. Not Writing Plans Down on Paper

One non - negotiable for Elizabeth is writing down political party plan on paper , especially recipes . " If I ’m cooking for a dinner party , it ’s in my recipe journal instantly , " she pronounce . " I compose every exclusive matter out because I learn when I ’m save . "

According to Elizabeth , getting off technology before an event keeps her from sire distracted and helps her sense more organized . Plus , she can well reference her note in the future instead of the ideas getting drop off on a telephone set or computer .

Table outside with a floral tablecloth and cocktails