I learned that you'll run out of wine/beer unless you ask guests to bring some ..and be specific with people who may not know better. Nothing's worse than having a well-meaning but misguided guest hand you a giant bottle of sweet Riesling.
Another thing is I learned is to delegate. Why go to all the hassle of making every single thing every time? I ask some guests to bring rolls or a baguette. I ask some to bring a dessert. I sometimes ask them to bring a salad. Though, I like my salads a certain way and I'm less inclined to have someone bring a crappy salad when I can make a make much better one myself.
Finally, I learned to perform incremental clean-ups. If you host a four or five hour party there will be dishes and glassware and dirty utensils all over the place. Even though it takes me away from my guests for 15 or 20 minutes (they never miss me anyway) I rinse plates and glasses and stack them in the dishwasher right after dinner. That way after the party or come morning time the mess isn't so humongous.
Have lots of snacks with drinks if serving dinner late or lots of drinks happening before dinner
Hi, I'm just curious what did you learn from hosting too many get together a or dinner parties?
