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1. Learn how to make a proper cheese board that'll ruin your guests' appetites.
Chris Ritter / BuzzFeed
2. Or hit up your local Trader Joe's to put together a charcuterie board for under $30.
It'll feed around 10 people! Check out the details here.
3. Erase the waste by using cute and reusable toothpicks to spear nibbles and garnish drinks.
Get a set from Amazon for $5.99.
4. Get the wine right so everyone will be happy.
5. Or make a big-batch co*cktail so everyone gets drunk enough to enjoy the food.
No setting out buckets of drinks, no running back to the fridge.
You can make a pitcher of these strawberry gin smashes in less than 10 minutes. Get the recipe here.
9. Instead of making a menu, identify dishes with dry-erase meal tags (the punnier, the better).
10. Make sure you're serving the right amount of food so your guests leave full.
And you don't end up with a week's worth of leftovers.
11. Dish it up family-style on a platter that goes straight from fridge or oven to table.
Chill the platter in the fridge or heat it in the oven so your food stays at the temperature it's ~supposed~ to be at longer. Get it from Uncommon Goods or Amazon for $64.95.
You can also mix and match vintage platters so you don't have to worry about maintaining a full set of matching dishes.
12. And fill the platter with family style–friendly dishes.
This easy mushroom fontina flatbread with sage will make any party a pizza party. Get the recipe here.
13. Make cleanup a breeze by using disposable plates that actually look cool.
Or even better, go green with these compostable plates made from fallen palm leaves.
14. Upgrade super inexpensive wooden serving spoons by dipping them in paint.
15. Set out bargain brand napkins in an adorable dispenser for the convenience of your messy guesties.
This cheery pineapple (the symbol of hospitality) should do the trick.
Get it from Pottery Lodge on Etsy for $21.
16. Serve pre-portioned dessert ramekins so you don't have to leave the party to slice a cake.
17. Or put out baked goods in advance on a DIY serving stand.
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This one is made with disposable plates and Solo cups.
18. Add whimsical touches to traditional dinner party elements like place cards.
20. Don a cute apron that says, "I worked very hard for this food, so you best enjoy it."
21. Check out a highly rated how-to-host book that will actually entertain YOU.
23. And take advice from Ina Garten, queen of actually having fun at her own parties.
Seriously.
NBC
