5 CHEAP AND EASY WAYS TO MAKE ANY DINNER PARTY FEEL FANCIER
I’m the queen of “oops, people are coming over, I should probably clean up and cook something” kind of meals, but every once in a while I like to bring together a really thoughtful meal that feels fancy and really communicates “welcome to a special occasion!” It can be easy to get overwhelmed by Pinterest boards of set ups with million-dollar installations and hand-made ceramic tableware that no average person can afford, so, in case you’re hosting a meal that you want to feel fancy without spending your entire savings, here are some cheap and easy ways to make any dinner party feel fancier:
Garnishes
My to-to garnishes are Pomegranates sliced in half, and sprigs of rosemary. These look amazing around a grab n’ go rotisserie chicken or added around any dish (especially around the holidays). They both dry very nicely too, so they don’t appear wilted by the end of the night.
Other garnishes I love: any citrus (super cute around a beverage), cinnamon sticks, sage, small whole apples, edible flowers (you can buy these at many standard grocery stores in the herbs section, and they are typically a mix of marigolds and pansies)Fabric napkins
These can be pricy if you need a lot, but the cheap hack is to buy a bundle of cotton kitchen towels and use them as napkins. I love these for a homey-feel or these for a classic white. My two favorite ways to fold them are the layered pocket and the pyramid!
Hang something on the ceiling to elevate the space
String lights to keep it simple, or a DIY floral chandelier if you want to go the extra step. Giving anything higher up for your eye to follow can make the space feel taller and more styled than your every day look. It’s a good option if you want to make your home just feel different than usual. You could also just add some of these IKEA paper floor lamps around. Anything you do to change the lighting will really change how the room feels overall. Dimmer lighting usually feels fancier.
Set out glass bottles of water on the table
Any type of glass container makes the table setting feel higher end. I love the brand Acqua Panna for a good classic spring water in a clear glass bottle, but I’d recommend just checking your local grocery store and finding whichever one has beautiful minimal packaging! You can also get your own glass carafe (love this one for $7!) and fill them with still or sparkling water.
Soft jazz / piano music
A good playlist sets the mood right when people walk in! Nathan has two playlists that I love for a fancy feel: This vintage Jazzy playlist and This Jazz playlist.