It's that time of the year when you find sparkling little lights, flickering lamps, everyone dressed in their holiday best, and the warm laughter of family and friends.
But this scene may not accurately describe the holiday parties in your own home which could tend more toward a group of uncles by the bar, a gang of cousins staring at the TV, and a set of ladies in the kitchen!
One way you can break out of the holiday routine is by hosting a formal dinner party. That's right, ‘formal’, as in everyone has an excuse to wear their holiday best, the party manners are taken out of the closet and dusted off, and everyone goes home with a little shiny glow of formality.
Don't let the thought of a formal dinner party scare you off. Even if you are a novice party-giver, you can create a dinner party that will be relaxed, entertaining and memorable, and won't break the bank.
Draw up the guest list: Don't rely on the regular old gang alone, the trick is to invite a few people you know well and a few newer friends.
When introducing people to one another, make sure to mention something interesting about each person.
One advantage of hosting a formal dinner is that you can use place cards. When you are deciding where to seat your guests, don't be afraid to break up the regulars and mix them in with the new people.
Once you decide who's coming to dinner and where they will be seated, think about the table decorations. This is the time to bring out your best tablecloth. A tablecloth with a floral pattern should be matched with white linen napkins in a solid colour matching the pattern.
To give a very tidy look, place the silverware one inch in from the edge of the table. All the silverware is arranged according to chronological use; the salad fork is on the outmost edge of the left hand side of the plate, followed by the dinner fork and then the dessert fork. Same thing on the right hand side, so that the guest works towards the plate as the meal progresses.
The formal place setting has a "service plate" which is later removed when the first course is served, and utensils are laid out to the right and left of it.
Silverware for dessert is either brought in with the dessert course or it can be set out in advance, making for a more glittering array of utensils.
Likewise, make sure there are enough salt and pepper shakers and butter dishes. A group of eight people needs two sets of each.
Create a centerpiece that's beautiful yet understated. Make sure to keep it low, no more than about 5" high if you plan to keep it on the table throughout the meal. At any time of the year, a shallow bowl with flower heads such as roses floating in it will give the table a festive feeling.
Have a lighting plan. Have enough light so people can see each other and see their food, but also that everyone bathed in that flattering, warm glow from the candlelight. To achieve this, you'll need to play with a combination of candlelight, light from an adjacent room, and light from small lamps in the dining area.
