Invite with care:
As a rule, a minimum of eight people keeps the conversation going easily in a party. Ensure that you invite people who get along well to avoid a strained atmosphere. Also, take care that you don’t play favorites. Be clear about whether children are to be invited or not. If not, do not give anyone the go ahead. If you have sent out written invitations, call your guest at least week in advance to reconfirm.

Be a charming hostess:
As the hostess, you’re bringing guests together. So it’s your responsibility to help them mingle and interact. Introduce guests to each other, and make an effort to spend time with new people, for example, your new neighbors or a colleague’s wife. The idea is to make everyone feel comfortable. You will begin to see that your guests take subconscious cues from you. If you’re having a good time, they will too.

Be prepared:
Make a plan and also be sure about the guest list. Take an inventory of pots, pans, dishes, glasses, cutlery and napkins. Before you go shopping, clean out your fridge to make room for the new stuff. Prepare the house in advance. In other words, see to it that you have time enough to relax, shower and dress.

Feed your guests well:
Your menu depends on the formality and informality of get together. Avoid dishes that call for elaborate serving techniques or last minute preparation. Some tips:

• Always make extra food. A party is no fun when you’re worrying about running out of a certain food.

• Select interesting foods to serve, flavorful dishes from around the world, fashionable foods to provide contrasting colors, temperatures and textures.

• While it is generally not acceptable to ask your guests to bring a dish, never say no when someone volunteers. It will make them feel special.

• Balance rich, dense and highly flavored foods with simple, fresh items. Salads are healthy and filling.

• A variety of hot and cold foods can help keep everyone nibbling, as cold appetizers can be circulated while hot ones are being fried or heated.

• Keep ready some solid food like butter chicken naan or puri aloo. 

• Serve safe food.

Offer drinks freely but responsibly:
Stock a full bar, either limit the choice to whisky and beer, or have an array of cocktails. This really depends on the time of the day, the weather and the guest list. Also serve equally attractive mock tails for teetotalers.

Create a theme for your party. Make sure that guests have enough room to circulate and enjoy themselves. Rearrange furniture, removing coffee tables and other obstacles. You are on the path to having a fabulous dinner party. And, once you have a successful party, you will be hooked.