Eight Ways to Gussy Up Your Dinner Hosting Game

As the Beijing days start to get colder and darker, what better way to break up the doldrums of being stuck inside alone than to invite a group of friends over and be stuck inside together? Take some of our tips on how to infuse a little more swagger to your hosting game, and make your next night in one that will remain the talk of the long, cold winter ahead.

Make Dinner.
That’s right, breaking news here at the Beijinger. But seriously, don’t ask your guests to bring a dish, despite what their best Chinese manners have taught them to insist upon. Hosting dinner means supplying food — all of the food. And by all means, don’t make your dinner guests pay you back for groceries. 

Answer the Door
You invited these people to your house, so the least you can do is answer the door (on that note, make sure your doorbell works). Instruct guests where to place their shoes, and then point them in the direction of the bar. It's also a good time to indicate where the restroom is.

Have a Signature Drink
Once at the bar, introduce your guest to their options, including a signature pre-dinner drink. This drink will tell your guests, "I thought about this evening, and I’ve set the mood: it’s going to be a great." No need to re-enact the moves of Tom Cruise’s character from Cocktail — you’d be impressed with how far a gin and tonic with a fresh slice of ginger can go. A good drink will also stall for the guests that are, inevitably, late because they are stuck in traffic on the fourth ring road.

Use Cloth Napkins
A box of tissues on the table might be convenient, but then you might as well make your guests sit on little red stools, too. In my book, the napkin is the most underrated element of a proper dinner table setting. Invest in a set of nice linens, and you’ll forever be looked upon as that classy adult host who has got it together and saves the environment at the same time. 

Perfect a Playlist
You don’t need to play Tchaikovsky, but be cognizant of what is on your playlist. Alternate your favorite chill tunes with some fun or nostalgic songs — I’ve had many great conversations spring to life when my dinner playlist suddenly plays the Miami Vice theme song, and I can always count on a debate to ensue between fans versus haters of Taylor Swift.

Stock the Loo
Sometimes toilets don’t work, or guests have…emergencies. You don’t want an embarrassed guest asking for toilet paper, clean towels, or worse -- a plunger. For the host extraordinaire, make sure bathroom lights are on. This way guests don’t have to play ‘guess that light switch," a game Beijing apartment designers seem to love.

It’s Not Over! Have After-Dinner Drinks Ready, Too
It's simple: no one has ever hated a party where they were offered a good glass of scotch, some port, or limoncello after dinner. 

Just do it.
We started with the obvious, and we’ll end with another obvious: make sure to actually host. This means, give people a tour of your apartment. Announce dinner, and describe the dishes on the table. Offer water, or wine refills. Have an arsenal of random facts in case some truly awkward pauses come up. Be the one to suggest clearing the table, or moving the conversation to another room after dinner. Maybe whip out a deck of cards or dice, or play some music videos after dinner, and definitely have an after party plan somewhere else. Hosting dinner isn’t a terrible burden, but it's always smart to end your responsibilities while you're still ahead.

Photo: Wikimedia