5 Tips for Hosting a Fancy Last Minute Dinner Party

This post has been sponsored by Delizza. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Sometimes, you have time to plan for a dinner party in advance. Other times, you want to take advantage of the moment and get together at the last minute. Don’t let the fear of hosting stop you from inviting friends or family over. Because we are relatively new to New York and still trying to meet people, I always like to keep some last-minute dinner party tricks in my back pocket in case we have a last-minute opportunity to invite people over.

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We recently had a few friends by, and I was so grateful to have these Delizza Mini Chocolate Mousse in my freezer so I could focus on just making dinner in time. I actually remember my mom used to keep the cream puffs on hand when I was growing up for the very reason of hosting fancy last-minute parties. People would be so impressed and she would be able to stay stress-free. You all know how much I love to cook, but sometimes you simply have to keep it easy!

Here are 5 tips for throwing together a last minute dinner party that feels fancy-pants:

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1. Less is more for decor – Don’t worry if you don’t have time to set up an elaborate tablescape. Simply let your meal be your centerpiece. Leave a carafe of water and a bottle of wine in the middle of the table (if you’d like) and serve dinner right at the table in big dishes. It will make everyone feel comfortable to help themselves to more. If you have a few unscented candles on hand, scatter them on the table to add some atmosphere.
2. Spruce up your water – Something super simple that can feel fancy is some amped-up water. Fill a pitcher with water and thin slices of fruit or fresh herbs. Lemons, limes, orange, cucumber, and mint are great additions to your regular H2O. Add this to the dinner table ‘centerpiece.’
3. Get the guests involved – Ask your guests to help with some of the prep, whether that is dressing a salad, opening a bottle of wine, slicing bread, or setting the table.
4. Pass the pasta – If you don’t have time to run to the grocery store or make an elaborate braise or sauce, turn to a pantry staple that still feels indulgent. Pasta is cost effective and, if you get a shape that is a little out of your norm, say bucatini or cavatelli, it will feel special. All you need from there is a little butter, salt, pepper, and Parmesan, and you’ll be able to make a tasty and fancy-feeling meal.
5. A frozen dessert is essential – If you’re going to be making dinner last minute, then you definitely don’t want to worry about making something from scratch for dessert. The Delizza Mini Chocolate Mousse is perfect for us. They have a crunchy Belgian chocolate crust, a smooth filling, and little sprinkles on top. They are reminiscent of the fancy desserts you might find at a nice restaurant during a night on the town. Delizza also makes Belgian Mini Eclairs and Mini Cream Puffs like my mom used to keep on hand. If you want to see where they are sold near you, here is their store locator!

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With these couple quick tips, you can be ready to party in no time!

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