A Very Easy Dinner Party

A Very Easy Dinner Party

When I was in my twenties (and dating an older gentleman:), I threw parties at my shoebox apartment all the time. We’d open a bag of chips and ask friends to bring a drink to share. It was all very “cheap and cheerful,” as my Welsh friend says. But then we had babies, and work got busy, and we ended up taking a hiatus. Until recently! Here’s are our four steps to easy dinner parties these days…

1. order a deli lasagna
2. make the simplest salad
3. guests bring wine
4. ice cream for dessert

A Very Easy Dinner Party

Last Friday evening, Alex put on Love’s Forever Changes, and I lit a few tea lights while trying to convince the boys not to blow them out. We threw random toys in a bin, but otherwise didn’t tidy up that much, since a) we didn’t have time, and b) no one cares. (Remember this funny article?)

A Very Easy Dinner Party

A Very Easy Dinner Party

We ordered a pre-made lasagna from our local Italian store (an idea I had first discovered on Momfilter). We picked it up fully cooked and then just heated it up in the oven before serving.

A Very Easy Dinner Party

Our snacks to start were: olives, red grapes, prosciutto, fresh ricotta on baguette slices, and kettle chips (always and forever). We also served a simple Greek salad.

A Very Easy Dinner Party

For dessert: Ice cream bars!!!!

A Very Easy Dinner Party

As people starting arriving, Alex poured wine and mixed martinis. And the key to a truly easy dinner party? Text the invitation two days before. If two people can come, great; if ten people can come, great. Either way! Because TRYING TO SCHEDULE A DATE WITH A GROUP CAN KILL YOU.

A Very Easy Dinner Party

The boys were allowed to stay up for a few minutes to say hello to the grown-ups (as always!) and three-and-three-quarters-year-old Anton impressed the crowd with handstands and “flips.”

A Very Easy Dinner Party

A Very Easy Dinner Party

That’s it! Always a really fun, chill night. How about you? I LOVE hearing dinner party ideas — please please share below! What do you serve? Any go-to meals or snacks? This always looked delicious.

P.S. A reader’s wine tip, and how to say goodbye at a party.

(Photos by Ana Gambuto for Cup of Jo.)