Eight Amazing Dinner Party Ideas!

Images by Didriks used under Creative Commons License.

Dinner parties are the perfect excuse to catch up with friends old and new, over a delicious home cooked dinner and a few bottles of wine. If you're throwing a dinner party soon, try something a bit different and have some fun with a theme. This will give your event a real sense of occasion and guests can get excited about fancy dress costumes and evening entertainment.

Here are some ideas to get you going:


Great Gatsby Night
Take cue from the Fitzgerald era and find a flapper dress or tux for a Roaring Twenties theme. Try your hand at making cocktails (Hemingway Daiquiri of course) or serve Champagne in wide brimmed glasses. You might even be able to find some Moet & Chandon as part of the Tesco wine offers. Guests can enjoy a selection of hors d’oeuvres such as salmon mousse, crudites and dip or stuffed mushrooms. Soundtrack the evening with some jazz!


Mexican Night
Things can get a bit wild at Mexican Night, especially if there's tequila involved. Put on a poncho, pop a sombrero on your head and maybe even draw on a moustache. There are endless tasty treats to serve: enchiladas, tortillas, burritos, homemade guacamole, tacos and chilli. You might want to keep a chilled, light Chardonnay in the fridge for overheated palettes.


Color theme Night
Pick a color, then base the dress code, food and decorations on it. Red is a good one as you can cook tomatoey dishes, red meats and pepper loaded salads. It's also a good excuse to stock up on some rich red wines like a Bordeaux or Merlot.


Grown Up Slumber Party Night
This one is great fun and everybody will feel so comfortable and relaxed, pigging out on junk food, knocking back beer and wine and digging into desserts. Find out everybody's favorite comfort food beforehand, like mac n cheese, pizza and hotdogs (make them gourmet, of course). Pick a film, get some blankets and cushions and turn out the lights. Grown up bliss!


Italian Night
Fact: Everybody loves Italian food. Have a go at making your own pasta or pizza dough to really impress friends and family. Then get only the very best Italian wines, there are loads to choose from: silky Sassicaia, Tuscan Cabernet Sauvignon and nutty Pecorino to name but a few. Light some candles and gather everyone round the table for an authentic Italian family meal feel.


Rockstar Night
If you have a karaoke game or machine - get it out. This will provide hilarious entertainment! Guests can of course dress as their favorite rock stars and you can serve microphone shaped cupcakes or alcohol infused jellies. Get everyone to help put together a playlist of the best rock songs.


Hawaiian Night
A night in Hawaii calls for some serious cocktails: Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises, Mojitos and frozen Daquiris. Be sure to have all the ingredients and plenty of fresh fruit garnishes. Take this one outside to the barbecue and get a good mix of meats and veggies on there. Provide guests with hula skirts, coconut cups and garlands.


Swinging 50's Night

Images by kevin dooley used under Creative Commons License.

Make some space for a dance floor and stick on some swinging music for guests to twist the night away in. You could serve American diner classics like hamburgers, fried chicken, fruit pies and milkshakes.

There are so many themes to toy around with, just remember to enjoy the night.