I’d venture to say that most people I know have never hosted a dinner party. Now, before you tell me you have… think about it. I’m talking about a real, small-scale dinner party. Eight people or fewer. Around one table. Sharing a meal and actually talking to one another.
So I’ll ask again: Have you?
If the answer is no, I have one simple request for you: Host one.
Not someday. Not when the house is finished. Not when you finally replace those dining room chairs. Not when you become a better cook. Just invite a few people over and feed them.
You Don’t Need to Be Martha Stewart
You don’t need to be an expert cook. You don’t need a perfectly styled home. You don’t need matching dishes, impressive recipes, or an Instagram-worthy centerpiece. And you definitely don’t need to make an emergency Target run for napkin rings. 😂
You just need to stop treating entertaining like a performance and start treating it like what it actually is: An opportunity to gather.
Somewhere along the way, hosting got tangled up with performing.
We started thinking our homes needed to be spotless before anyone walked through the door. Every dish needed to be a moment. The table had to be perfectly styled. The napkins needed to match. (They don’t. Ever. For any reason.)
And suddenly something that was supposed to be fun became a LOT of work. Too much preparation. Too many expectations. Too much stress. So we stopped inviting people over.
We’re Missing the Whole Point
Here’s what bothers me about that. We crave connection. We want community. We want people in our lives whom we can laugh with, share stories with, call when we need something, and sit across the table from for a couple of hours.
But then we convince ourselves that inviting them into our homes has to look a certain way. And our fear of doing it “wrong” keeps us from doing it at all.
Meanwhile, loneliness and social isolation are real concerns. And going out isn’t always the easiest way to connect. Dinner out can be expensive. Mobility can make restaurants challenging for some people. Food allergies and intolerances can make eating away from home stressful.
Our homes can be part of the answer.
And that’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about bringing back the small dinner party.
Why Eight or Fewer?
Because something wonderful happens when you put a small group around one table. Everyone can be part of the conversation. You can actually hear one another. People who arrived as acquaintances can leave knowing each other a little better. The host gets to sit down and enjoy the evening, too. And you don’t need a huge dining room, an enormous budget, or three days to prepare for it.
Four people counts. Six is wonderful. Eight is plenty. The goal isn’t a crowd. It’s connection.
Okay, Colleen. You’ve Convinced Me. Now What?
And this is where I know a lot of people get stuck.
Who do I invite? What do I serve? What can I make ahead? What should I buy instead of make? What cocktail goes with dinner? When do I start prepping? What should the table look like?
I’ve got you.
It’s exactly why I created my Complete Dinner Party Plans. I’ve already done the planning for you—from the menu and recipes to the shopping list, prep timeline, shortcuts, cocktails, table inspiration, conversation ideas, and those little details that make an evening feel special.
You don’t have to figure out how to host a dinner party. You just have to decide to host one.
So Here’s My Challenge to You
Pick a dinner party. Invite a few people. Set the date.
And because I really want you to stop thinking about hosting and actually DO IT, I’m giving you a little incentive!
This week only, if you’re not already a paid Substack subscriber, you can purchase any of my Complete Dinner Party Plans for just $10—almost 50% off.
Choose the plan that catches your eye and then do the most important thing: Send the invitations before you have time to talk yourself out of it.
Your house doesn’t need to be perfect. Your food doesn’t need to be perfect. You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to open the door.
Let’s Bring the Dinner Party Back
Don’t save this post and tell yourself you’ll do it someday. Make today the day you put something on the calendar.
✨ Click the link, choose your Complete Dinner Party Plan for just $10, and set your date. Then text four, six, or eight people and invite them over. LINK
That’s it. I’ve taken care of the plan. You take care of gathering the people. ❤️
And when everyone is still sitting around your table long after dinner is over, laughing and telling one more story, I want to hear about it.
This is your sign. Host the dinner party.
Cheers!
Colleen
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