10 Unexpected Things You Need To Prepare For When You Host A Dinner Party

Hosting a dinner party can be a lot of fun, but it can also be kind of stressful. You want your guests to have a great time, enjoy good food and drink, and feel comfortable in your home. Hosts often put their focus on planning the dinner party menu, buying delicious desserts, and setting up decorations, but those aren't the only parts that matter. Experienced hosts know that the real success of an event often lies in the often-forgotten, less glamorous details that can make or break the night.

The fact of the matter is that "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." When bringing a group of people together, something unexpected is bound to happen. Maybe someone spills wine on the rug, or kids get bored and start running around with nothing to keep them busy. A guest might have even forgotten to RSVP for their plus-one, and there isn't enough seating. Even if you've planned every course down to the garnish, these small hiccups can throw you off balance unless you've quietly prepared for them ahead of time.

The best hosts aren't the ones who never have problems, but the ones who anticipate them and are prepared to deal with them smoothly. If you think ahead a little, you can avoid a lot of awkward moments and host the most relaxing dinner party possible. In this article, we go over ten things that people usually forget to plan for. Prepare for them, and you'll be remembered as a thoughtful, gracious host who truly has everything covered.

When you're hosting a dinner party, it is not just about the people coming into your house; it's also about the people living next door to your house. Neighbors notice when there are a bunch of cars suddenly on the street. Parking can get crowded, and it is easy for someone to accidentally block a driveway or take up more space than they should. To avoid unnecessary tension, it is a good idea to let your neighbors know ahead of time that you're planning a large gathering. Even just a quick text to give them a heads up can make a big difference in how they feel about the whole thing — and you.

If parking is tight on your street, it is not a bad idea to encourage guests to carpool or ride share. Sometimes you can tell people where the best parking spots are, so they don't end up endlessly circling the block. Also, be sure to remind everyone not to block driveways, handicap parking, or fire hydrants. 

Being on good terms with your neighbors pays off beyond just one dinner party, especially if you'd like to host more parties in the future. It makes your whole block or apartment building feel friendlier and less stressful. And if you ever need to borrow a folding chair or a cork screw at the last minute, it is a lot easier to ask when you've already built that good relationship.

Depending on the season and climate you live in, sometimes guests are going to arrive with bulky coats, winter boots, or even umbrellas. If you don't have a plan for where all of that goes, it can quickly pile up by your front door and get messy and unsightly. A simple coat rack, a spare bedroom, or even a cleared-off section of a couch works fine. Just make sure you've thought about where to direct guests to leave their items before people start arriving.

Footwear can be another tricky area, especially if you live in a no-shoes household. A big pile of shoes at the door can turn into a tripping hazard and look very uninviting. If you want guests to take off their shoes, think ahead about where they'll go — maybe a shoe rack, a basket, or even lined up neatly along a wall. Be sure to also have a highly visible sign communicating your expectation.

Offering slippers is a nice touch that some people really appreciate. Even just a few pairs of clean, inexpensive slippers can make people feel more at home. It might sound like just a small detail, but it shows you've thought about their comfort, and that's really what hospitality is all about.

No matter how careful you are, something is bound to spill or break at a dinner party. Instead of scrambling in the moment, it helps to have a few basic supplies gathered ahead of time and ready to go. I borrowed this tip from my job as a grocery store operations manager, where we keep spill kits handy at multiple locations throughout the store. For a dinner party at home, you should keep paper towels, a broom and dustpan, and maybe even a stain remover pen in an easy-to-reach spot. That way, if someone knocks over a glass of pinot, you're not running around the house looking for supplies to remove a red wine stain.

It is also smart to think about personal accidents in the kitchen. If you're cooking, you might burn yourself or cut a finger. Having a first aid kit nearby with some bandages, burn cream, and antiseptic ointment can save the night. Even just knowing where everything is ahead of time helps you stay calm if an accident or spill does happen.

Another underrated tip is to keep a clean shirt nearby. If you spill sauce or wine on yourself while cooking or serving, it is nice to be able to change quickly without having to disappear for ten minutes. It might sound like a simple thing, but it keeps you feeling put together and ready to keep hosting.

No matter how carefully you plan the seating arrangement for your guests, there's always a chance that extra people show up. Maybe a guest forgot to RSVP for their new partner, someone has a friend in town who tags along, or guests show up with children because their babysitting plans fell through. No matter the reason, suddenly your carefully created dinner party seating plan doesn't work anymore. That's why it is smart to have a backup.

Squeezing in folding chairs at the table is probably the easiest solution. They don't take up much space and can be pulled out in seconds. If you don't have them or if the dinner party is more spread out, floor cushions, poufs, or even ottomans work just as well. Benches are another good option because they fit more people than individual chairs. The main thing is making sure nobody feels left out or stuck standing alone during dinner. Even if the seat isn't fancy, just having a place for everyone goes a long way in making guests feel welcome.

The mood at a dinner party can change a lot as the night goes on. What feels right at the beginning might not work later. Bright lights are good for serving and setting up, but once everyone has settled in, softer lighting usually feels more comfortable.

Candles are an easy way to shift the mood, and they add a cozy, warm feeling to the table, so be sure to plan ahead by having a tray ready that you can bring out, perhaps when it is time for dessert or digestif, after-dinner drinks. String lights or fairy lights can accomplish the same vibes, especially if you're hosting outdoors or in a space that feels a little plain. If you have dimmable floor lamps or ceiling lights, even better. You can lower the brightness without making the room too dark.

Music is part of this, too. You might start with something lively while people are arriving and then switch to calmer music later. Or vice versa: start out calm as guests arrive and mingle and get to know each other. Then, switch to something livelier later, especially if you want to encourage guests to bust out some dance moves. Having a playlist ready saves you from scrambling during the party. A few simple mood changes throughout the night can make everything feel more natural and comfortable.

If you are a pet owner, preparing for your dinner party means you'll also have to think about how your furry friends will fit into the evening. Some people love animals, and would appreciate being greeted by a wagging dog or purring cat, affectionately rubbing up against their legs. However, others might be allergic, afraid, or just a bit uncomfortable around them.

Before the party, decide whether your pet will mingle or stay in a separate space. If your pet is friendly but excitable, it might help to keep them in another room at the start until people have settled in. That way, they won't overwhelm guests at the door — or worse yet, get overwhelmed and growl or hiss at guests. If you know you have guests with allergies, keeping your pets in a separate space is a good idea. Having a stash of tissues or allergy medication on hand can make guests feel more comfortable, too.

It is also important to think about food safety. Make sure pets don't have easy access to the table or kitchen counter where food is sitting out. No one wants a dog licking the roast before it is served. A little preparation keeps both pets and guests happy.

Even if you don't have kids, chances are some of your guests might bring them along. Having a plan for how to keep them fed, happy, and entertained makes a big difference. If kids are bored, they'll get restless, which makes it harder for the adults to relax and enjoy themselves.

Simple activities can go a long way. Coloring books, board games, or even a designated play area, such as a room with toys in a finished basement, can keep kids happily occupied while their parents socialize. If you have outdoor space, even better. Kids can run around outside while the adults talk and sip some impressive homemade cocktails. Movies are another easy solution if you have a TV in a spare bedroom or can set up a screen and projector in the backyard.

Make sure to also have some child-friendly food and drinks available. It doesn't have to be elaborate, but setting aside a few things for kids shows thoughtfulness. Parents appreciate it, and it helps the whole evening run more smoothly.

Many people don't like to arrive empty-handed to a gathering. Sometimes guests may bring a dinner party gift — a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, or even a homemade dish to share with everyone. While thoughtful, these surprises can catch you off guard if you do not have the right tools at hand. Guests don't want to feel they've added stress to your hosting experience. Being prepared as a host turns these moments into opportunities to make people feel appreciated rather than awkward. It also reinforces the impression that your home is always ready to welcome generosity with ease.

So, make sure to keep a couple of clean vases ready in case someone brings flowers. Nothing feels more awkward than scrambling for a suitable container while guests are awkwardly waiting at the door. For food contributions, stock extra serving utensils, trivets, and bowls. A hot dish needs somewhere safe to land, and you'll want to integrate it seamlessly into the spread.

A bottle of wine or liquor is a common gift as well. Have a corkscrew, bottle opener, and spare glasses available. Decide whether you'll open the bottle immediately or set it aside for another occasion — both choices are acceptable. Sometimes the guest who brought the bottle might want it to be shared and enjoyed at the dinner party. So, be sure to ask what they were intending, so that nobody feels disappointed.

It might sound like a small thing, but in today's world, a dead phone battery can cause real anxiety. Guests may need to coordinate rides, check in with babysitters or kids at home, or they might just want to snap a few photos of the lovely evening you've created. Offering phone chargers is a surprisingly generous touch that communicates thoughtfulness. It may seem like a small detail, but it is exactly these little comforts that make guests feel cared for or like you have gone the extra mile for them.

Keep a few different types of chargers handy to fit various brands of phones. A multi-port charging station in a common area prevents the awkwardness of guests asking to borrow outlets in private rooms. Think about placement, too. A charging spot in the living room or near the kitchen lets guests stay connected without disappearing from the social space. If your party is outdoors and away from electrical sources, purchase a few portable power banks and make sure they are charged up and readily available.

Trust us on this one: a not only deep cleaned, but also well stocked bathroom can quietly save the night. If a guest runs out of toilet paper and finds themselves in an awkward situation, it can feel extremely embarrassing for them, and stressful for you. Treating the bathroom as part of the guest experience shows that you've thought about their comfort in every aspect of the evening. A well-prepared bathroom may not earn compliments, but its absence may earn complaints. 

Well before the party is set to start, be sure to stock several extra rolls of toilet paper in plain sight — on a shelf, in a basket, or stacked neatly near the toilet. That way, guests don't have to awkwardly ask or go digging through your personal cabinets. It is also smart to keep a plunger and toilet brush tucked away near the toilet. Hopefully no one needs them, but if they do, they'll be grateful they didn't have to ask or leave a mess.

The bathroom should also be stocked with hand soap, clean hand towels, and a spray bottle of air freshener or candle (and matches) to keep the space pleasant. If you expect a larger crowd, consider having a small stack of hand towels on the ready. That way, you can swap them out mid-party as needed.