Host the ultimate causal-meets-formal décor dinner party
June 5, 2017
With autumn settling in and making its presence known, and winter fast on its heels, it’s probably time to start moving the party indoors. This may call for the use of your formal dining room to host your next dinner get together. If you prefer to keep things casual, despite the formal decor, here are a few tricks to creating an impressive dinner party without the stuffy jackets!

Table décor & setting

One of the best ways to bring a casual air into a formal dining room setting is by contrast, and this is best created by mis-matching your table décor.

Use a rustic container for your flowers as a centre-piece, forego a table cloth and make use of placemats. Mix them up to create a vibrancy and colour or use mis-matched glasses and table wear.

Add alternative character to your table with a hand-written menu and place-cards (if you want to keep an air of formality) – there are no limits to being creative!

Create the ambience

Bringing outdoor entertaining indoors is also about creating the perfect ambiance – and one of the best ways to do this is with lighting!

Keep it casual though. Make use of items such as a few strings of fairly lights draped neatly over the curtain rails or even on the floor, along the skirting of your walls – creating a warm glow throughout the room.

Strategically placed hurricane lamps or solar-powered Consol jars dotted across your dining table could also do the trick, creating that warm and welcoming ambiance of a casual get together with friends.

Menu considerations

Even if your get together is being hosted in your formal dining room, there really is no need to break out the fine China and sterling silver – a casual yet delicious and totally memorable dinner is still possible!

Okay, so perhaps braai meat and salads is a little too casual in this regard, but you can still keep it simple with menu items such as:  
  • Welcome drink (in a funky help-yourself goldfish bowl with ladle):
  • White wine sangria for the ladies with Bourbon and blood orange blast for the men
Opening bite:

In keeping with the cooler theme of autumn and winter and the comfort food that goes hand-in-hand:
Ginger and lemongrass won-ton soup

Or

Jalapeño poppers wrapped in prosciutto with a sour cream dip

Main course:

Best served family style in a big table pot, where each person can help themselves and put emphasis on the casual dining of the evening:

Coconut and chilli crab curry, served with basmati rice and warm naan bread

Or

Build-your-own tacos with marinated chicken, salsa and creamy coleslaw

Dessert:

Lime tart served with tea or coffee

Or

Chilli-chocolate mousse served with tea or coffee
 
 
Serve your food family style

Just as you would serve your food at an outdoor get together or braai – self-service or family style, you can do much the same indoors.

Serve your meals from the centre of your table on platters or in bowls, where each guest can serve themselves – just ensure each person has a designated plate before-hand. Cutlery can be stacked into jars or buckets on the table for an added air of casual dining!

Just because winter is on our doorstep doesn’t mean our social lives need to go into hibernation! Entertaining in the colder months is still possible, and it doesn’t need to be a formal affair if it’s being hosted indoors. Re-work your indoor dining space with just a few simple steps and some great accessories or stuff you love to keep it casual!

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By Kyra Harper August 15, 2023
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