Dinner Party Tips and Tricks

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Saturday night I hosted my first, real dinner party. Since I was lucky enough to have the help of my mother, the consummate hostess (who disappeared 30 minutes before the guests arrived so I could take all the credit!), I thought I'd share a couple of tips with you.

1. Get Help from Someone Experienced

Mom was great at helping me figure out the timing of when to cook what and what dishes to use to serve everything, so I'd be relaxed when the guests arrived. She also got me out of bed by flicking water in my face, but that's another story. Get your most fabulous friend or relative to walk you through the basics your first time.

2. Use a Crock Pot

Gals, I thought Crock Pots were as old-fashioned as Pond's Cold Cream (sorry again, Mom!) but seriously, they're a lifesaver. Picture this - when I cook, I dirty every dish in the house. But when you prepare your dinner 4 hours before the guests arrive and allow it to simmer into delectable, meat-falling-off-the-bone goodness, you have plenty of time to clean up and give the impression that you're as neat as June Cleaver. I made a Moroccan Chicken recipe similar to this one. Check out more recipes at Crockpot.com.

3. Marathon Makeup

OK, face it - once the guests arrive, you're going to be busy serving drinks, facilitating conversations and checking on the meal. You will not have time for a makeup touch-up. So, I suggest the following:

• Waterproof concealer, so your imperfections won't be revealed under a faceful of steam. try Laura Mercier, Maybelline or Lancome.


• Absorbant Powder, so they'll never see you shine. Try Estee Lauder Double Matte Oil-Control Pressed Powder or LORAC Oil-Free Wet/Dry Powder Makeup for more coverage.


• Long-Wearing Lipstick. I broke out my Max Factor Max Wear Lipcolor for the occassion and still had pretty pink lips after numerous cheek-kisses, a glass of wine and eating dinner. The first step locks the color to your lips and the second seals it in with shine.

Good luck with your own holiday entertaining & feel free to post any other tips in the comments.