How To Entertain Guests at A Dinner Party
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Dinner parties are a great opportunity to catch up with friends and family, but they can also be a lot of work. If you’re tasked with entertaining your guests, you want to make sure they have a good time.
One way to do this is to plan some fun and creative activities that will keep everyone entertained throughout the evening. From some simple, non cheesy, icebreaker games to interactive trivia, there are plenty of ways to make your dinner party more enjoyable for everyone.
I'm also going to suggest something perhaps a bit more unique, hiring a professional magician to entertain and wow your guests.
But more on that in a moment. For now, read on for some of the best tips on how to entertain your guests at a dinner party.
SET THE MOOD WITH MUSIC
Music can be a great way to set the mood and get your guests into the party atmosphere. Choose a few songs that you think your guests will enjoy and make a playlist that you can play throughout the evening. Spotify is an easy and convenient option for this. For a diner party that I planned, I downloaded the music, so that there wouldn't be any interruptions, and then streamed the music via Bluetooth to my sound system.
For a larger dinner party, you might hire a DJ or a band to provide live music and get everyone up and moving.
Finally, you could set up speakers around the party area and create a soundscape that plays ambient music throughout the evening. This is a perfect way to fill the space with a relaxed yet engaging atmosphere.
GET CREATIVE WITH THE TABLE SETTING
An interesting table setting is a great way to make your dinner party stand out. Use colourful linens, interesting shapes, and interesting textures to decorate the table. Choose smaller plates and utensils for a more intimate setting, and don't forget lighting, candles or strings of leds can add an extra ambience. You could also go for a more artistic feel by creating sculptures out of fruits and vegetables or by using edible flowers to decorate each plate. This will make the table look inviting and your guests will appreciate the effort you put in.
SERVE A DELICIOUS MEAL
Serving delicious food is a great way to make your dinner party memorable. You can go all out by cooking up an exotic meal that will keep your guests talking for weeks. And if you’re not confident in the kitchen, you can always hire a caterer to handle the food for you.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with the presentation of your food. Try plating up your dishes in interesting ways or mixing in unexpected flavours. This will make the meal more exciting for your guests and will encourage them to try something new.
INCREDIBLE COCKTAILS AND DRINKS
Offering a variety of drinks to your guests so they can choose something they enjoy is always a good idea. Stock up on some different wines, mixers, and spirits, or you could even create unique themed cocktails just for the party. If you’re hosting a formal dinner, your guests may prefer to stick to non-alcoholic choices like lemonade or iced tea. In that case, you could serve mocktails or speciality teas and coffees. Whatever you choose, make sure that you provide drink options that can satisfy every guest. Remember, you don't have to have everyone's perfect drink, but you should try to find something that most people can enjoy.
HIRE A MAGICIAN
The addition of a magician to your dinner party can truly elevate your event to a whole new level. A professional magician isn’t just about card tricks. They combine the elements of surprise, mystery, and humour to captivate and entertain your guests. With charisma and expertise, a magician can perform polished routines, deliver witty one liners, and keep your guests engaged throughout the evening.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of having a magician is their flexibility. The magic performance can fit into a range of times throughout your night. It could be close up magic as guests enter. In this way, it can serve as a perfect ice breaker, especially if your guests are meeting for the first time. Alternatively, the could be performed as a a stand up performance to the whole group, either between the courses of the meal, or afterwards in a separate room, away from the dinner table.
Magic is so great, because it creates a shared experience that sparks conversations and strengthen connections. Furthermore, magic holds universal appeal; it transcends age, language, and cultural barriers, ensuring all your guests are entertained and involved.
Now, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ed, a professional magician with 20 years of experience in entertaining audiences across the UK and Europe. Throughout my career, I've had the pleasure of performing at countless celebrations, ranging from intimate dinner parties to large corporate events. My performances are not just about magic tricks, they are also about connecting with my audience, sparking curiosity, and creating shared moments of wonder and amusement.
Ready to find out more?
Reach out to me for more information about close up magic at your event.
PLAY GAMES
A game or two can be a great way to get everyone relaxed and involved in the party. There are plenty of games that you can play, from board games to charades. You can also set up trivia questions throughout the night to get people thinking and talking. The key is to not take things too seriously!
If you’re throwing a large dinner party, consider splitting people into teams and creating an element of friendly competition between them.
GIVE A TOUR OF YOUR HOME
If you're hosting the party at home, rather than in a hired dining room, then you have the perfect opportunity to show guests your home. Giving a tour of your home is a great way to make your guests feel welcome and get them settled into the atmosphere. Make sure to point out all the interesting features of your home, stories connected to meaningful objects and talk about the effort you put in to make your home your own. Hopefully, this fosters some interesting questions and further conversation from your guests.
BE A GREAT HOST
Well, this one should go without saying, shouldn't it? As a host, it’s important to make sure all your guests are having a good time. Stay attentive to your guests and see if anyone needs help. Encourage people to mingle by introducing them to each other or offering them refreshments. It’s also important to keep the conversation flowing. Ask open ended questions that encourage people to talk, like sharing their favourite travel stories or talking about their weekend. Make sure everyone feels included and don’t forget to thank them sincerely for coming.
OFFER SOMETHING MEMORABLE AND UNIQUE
Every good dinner party should be memorable, so make sure to have a few extra touches that will make the night special. Dinner parties can be a fantastic opportunity to experience something new. Try organising activities that your guests wouldn’t normally do and give them a reason to talk about the evening for days. I think a close up magician is the perfect choice for this! I've attended many dinner parties, and seen first hand the impact it can have. Is it worth us having a chat about incorporating magic into your event?
Here are some other activities that may be of interest. Arrange a cooking demonstration, a wine tasting, or hire an artist to draw caricatures of everyone. Just as with magic, these activities give your party a point of focus and will make it more memorable for your guests.
Have you found this blog post useful? Do you have any advice to add? Let me know in the comments below.
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YOUR INCREDIBLE EVENT IS
JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY
1. CONNECT
It's easy to get in touch with me, either:
email ↓
ed@edsumner.com
call ↓
07792 129 828
or fill in an enquiry form.
2. DISCUSS
During a short phone or video call, we'll talk about your event and your initial ideas. Don't worry, if you're not sure. I've helped to plan many events so I can advise on the best use of magic and other events entertainment.
3. AGREE
Once all the details are agreed, I'll send you a booking confirmation and ask you to make the first payment which confirms your date in my calendar. Then it's time to start looking forward to your big event.
4. ENJOY
I'll check in with you in the week before your event, and on the day of the event. All you need to do now is enjoy the magic, mind reading and conversational comedy.
