The holidays are over and done, leaving me in celebration limbo. But why wait for a special reason to gather?

I can think of nothing more enjoyable than inviting friends over for a good dinner party. Laughter and great conversation over a special meal, in the privacy of your home, can be the best way to spend time with friends and family in an intimate setting, where you can create the type of ambiance your desire.

If planning a dinner party leaves you drawing a blank, I have come up with some helpful hints to ensure that your friends and family members won't spend the whole evening Facebooking from their phones.

1. Who’s in and Who’s out:
The most important part to making sure this whole shindig is not a complete bust is to make sure you have the right mix of people... meaning, people who may have some things in common but also people from different backgrounds, occupations and cultural interests. Consider having some ice-breakers in place to get folks mingling. Pass on inviting your weirdo co-worker with the collection of stuffed birds or the neighbor who cannot make eye contact.

2. Create an inspiring theme:
So there is no holiday or milestone to celebrate, but creating a theme for the evening can help you bring everything together (food, music, decor) and inspire your guests to participate in your festivities. Some of my workable themes are Asian, Caribbean, game night… Stay away from themes like “We forgot to clean our house night”.

3. Leave the experiments for another night:
The last thing you want to worry about is the outcome of a recipe you have never tried before. Focus your menu on dishes you are familiar with or those that don’t require tons of attention. If you don’t know how to cook (and yes you should be ashamed of yourself) consider catering in or using tasty pre-made entrees.

4. Every party needs a soundtrack:
It’s your party, so you can jam how you want to, but music is a must. The television blaring in the background is just a distraction... so download some of your favorite music to your IPod to create a mellow or even upbeat mood for your in-house soiree.

5. Make it Pretty:
You don’t have to borrow your granny’s fine china, but it’s a good idea to make your table beautiful for your guests. Simple vases with a small arrangement of your favorite blooms down the center of your table add an extra touch to dinner. Make a place setting for each guest. It can be as simple as the essentials (plate, glass, silverware and napkin) or intricate enough to include candy favors and delicate napkin folds.

In the end, a dinner party should be a fun time for you and your guests. There is no reason to make it a formal night if you are not a formal person or try to impress your guests with culinary delicacies if you are known to burn Hot Pockets. Be authentic, and remember to focus on your guests. I guarantee everyone will have a good time.

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