Host an easy winter dinner party with a menu for 6. Get inspired by a mix and match cozy table set with an outdoor snowy backdrop. These dinner party menu ideas and recipes are fun if you’re snowed in with your neighbors!
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Winter Dinner Party Ideas
A while back we had the biggest snow storm I’ve seen since I was a kid. It was beautiful and forced us to stay home for days as it came down for about 36 hours straight.
Of course, knowing it was coming we stocked up on plenty of groceries to see us through. And we ended up getting together with neighbors to do a little socializing.
It all got me thinking about how people come together when wild weather hits and they can’t get out. I decided a last minute snowed-in winter party would be the perfect inspiration for entertaining at home.
By the fourth day, temperatures were rising and the sun was shining. I brought everything out to the patio to capture a lovely backdrop of snow for this dinner party idea.
I found that with almost no planning at all, you can create fun last minute winter themed dinner party ideas. Use this as inspiration for January or February supper clubs, and beyond.
Use a plaid flannel throw as a tablecloth. It adds instant charm and a cozy warm vibe.
Use miss-matched vintage dinnerware on the table setting. I’ve collected this casual grouping of plates over the years and it felt right at home on this table. Place bowls of hot soup, chili, or stew right on top as needed.
If yours is a last minute party, you may not have flowers on hand. Instead, pull some candles and lanterns from around the house, and place a couple of small vases filled with dry Craspedia (aka billy balls).
To bring a little bit of life to the table, snip off pieces of evergreen and use decorative tape to attach them to card stock. These are strictly decorative, but you could also write names on the cards for place holders.
Winter menu
Make a big crock pot of stew, chili, or soup that can feed a small crowd of friends. Have plenty of wine and hot cocoa on hand too!
Get the ingredients for slow cooker Brunswick stew, which makes enough for a crowd. There’s plenty to offer the neighbors.
Warm up frozen or fresh rolls in the oven and serve them on the side.
Dress up some for a seriously delicious appetizer.
Offer up a party cheese board to help round out the dinner menu.
For dessert, homemade hot chocolateand store-bought baklava do the trick. No need to spend time baking!
Or put together an easy chocolate charcuterie board that’s basically effortless.
Consider making a pot of hot toddies or mulled wine to warm guests from the inside, out.
Let the wine flow; no one’s driving in the snow! Time to enjoy your snowed-in winter dinner party with friends!
Everybody stocks up at the grocery store when there’s snow in the forecast around here. Let everyone pitch in drinks and snacks for a real community feel.
Recipes
Looking for more menu ideas? Here are some comfort food recipes for a winter dinner. Some go-to choices are easy casseroles and slow cooker meals.
Main Course
Easy Layered Pasta Bake with ground turkey.
.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup.
Slow cooker spaghetti sauce for a crowd.
Easy ground turkey vegetable soup in the crockpot.
Salad
I love to start the dinner with a green salad course. Here are some fantastic seasonal flavors for winter.
Quick and
Roasted grape salad
and goat cheese
Green salad with apples and blue cheese
Dessert
You can put forth a bit more effort with one of these sweet recipes that’s sure to please.
If you do live in a climate where you can be outside for a winter dinner party, make sure to add a few creature comforts as it gets colder through the evening.
Have fire wood or starter logs ready to build in the fire pit.
Offer lots of throw blankets for guests to wrap around their shoulders or legs as the temperature drops.
If you have a space heater make sure it’s got plenty of fuel to keep it going.
String lights hung above the table will add a beautiful ambiance.
Add an outdoor rug to the patio or deck floor to make it even cozier.
Bring poufs or large pillows outside to sit on.
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Heather Wiese, etiquette columnist and founder of lifestyle brand Bell'INVITO, agrees that the ideal time falls around 7 p.m. with a little leeway before and after. “When I'm throwing a dinner party on a weeknight, I'll often say arrive any time after 6:30 p.m., dinner is at 7:30. People need time to wrap up their day.
Try welcoming your guests with sparkling wine and canapes before serving three or more delicious courses. While you want to choose recipes that will impress, you should avoid spending too long in the kitchen once your guests arrive, so look out for dishes that can be prepared ahead of time.
Fill guests in on the plans when they arrive — when dinner should be ready, who else is coming and where the bathroom is. As the host, you set the tone for the evening. Guests will feel your tension, so if you aren't relaxed, guests will feel tense and unwelcome. Make sure everyone is comfortable.
Warm food is a must! Providing delicious and warm bites will keep everyone's belly full and minds off of the cold. A French onion soup, chicken pot pie and cheesy garlic bread are all crowd pleasers in the winter months. Think warm and homey food!
Winter accessories like mittens, scarves, hats, beanies, knit headbands, and earmuffs can help to keep you warm. This is especially true if the party is outdoors.
Grate, steam or roast turnips, celeriac, beets both red and golden, carrots, parsnips and cabbages both red and green. Use fruits like apples, pomegranates and citrus to add sparkle. Don't forget the dried fruits— cranberries, blueberries and figs are indispensable.
Introduction: My name is Saturnina Altenwerth DVM, I am a witty, perfect, combative, beautiful, determined, fancy, determined person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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