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Is it that every time you plan a dinner party, you spend more time biting your nails in apprehension and remain undecided on what to cook? Well, a few pointers here will help you make the most of your dinner do, which is after all the time where friends and family gather to catch up on each other.

What make or breaks a dinner party is the menu that you put on the table. It is very easy to get overwhelmed. Just sit back and do a little planning to make your dinner a success.

Start by listing down your invitees. Know your guests and try to find out what they like to eat and what they have reservation about. Plan your menu around that. This will help in avoiding any embarrassments at the party. When planning a menu choose courses that go together and complement each other in taste. Use vegetables that are in season since they taste best and are appropriate for the season. Try not to repeat ingredients. They best way to go is to prepare few dishes but with variety in them. If your menu has a spicy, highly seasoned dish, don`t serve a subtle and delicate food as the next course.

Even if your party is more of a formal event, avoid preparing an elaborate menu unless you can employ a retenue of cooks. Dont try to cook complicated dishes with difficult ingredients for a big dinner, they might not turn out as you expect. It is best to stick to recipes that you are confident of cooking. In case you plan to use unusual ingredients and cook exotic dishes, then try out the same beforehand to check how they will taste. Make sure all your ingredients are at hand on the day of the party when you hit the kitchen to cook.

Each dish should look appetising and appealing. Many of us tend to overdo garnishing or even spices just for the sake of it that can actually kill the actual flavour of the food. However dont make the dishes look too bland either, that can kill your guests appetite even before they start.

After all, you`re the host and should spend as much time with your guests as possible. On the party night if you seem flustered or are always rushing your guests are bound to feel uncomfortable. Prepare beforehand the cold starters, salads and appetisers for them to snack on to get the conversation going. Set your microwave ready to heat the dishes when the time for serving dinner comes. Also lay the table before people start to arrive. When it comes to dessert, it is a good idea to keep a light sweetmeat along with a heavy dessert as an alternative for those who may be too full to eat a heavy dessert.

While its is nice to be generous, but do not overwhelm your guests. Offer them the dishes but do not force too much food on their plates. Let them choose and decide what they want to eat.