It’s officially Fall! As daylight slowly slims down, hosting and gathering season bulks up. Whether you’ve had your hosting wings for years or you’re just now learning to spread them, I’m here to help!
I’ve got four menus to choose from for your first Fall dinner party, including a Lazy Girl Dinner and a Coastal Grandma moment! Now friends, remember… You don’t need a tablescape from Pinterest. You need three things: something warm, something you can make ahead, and people you actually want to sit with, and candles, ok that’s technically four things. We’ll survive.
Friends, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the idea of opening your home, let’s wrangle in those spiraling hosting thoughts. Focusing on just three things will help anchor you: the table, the menu, the mood. I’ll break it down.
THE TABLE
Add one seasonal element and skip the artificial pumpkins you’ll need to store and eventually tire of. Trust me.
- Warm toned linen napkins. I have favorites!
- A bowl of pears, apples, or artichokes. Future storage solution: your belly!
- Lighting: brass or amber candlesticks with my favorite candles, or these mood setting LED lamps
- Foraged branches from a neighborhood walk or grocery store bundle in a vase with a velvet ribbon. Look for seasonal flowers such as… mums, dahlias, sunflowers, aster, cockscomb.
I’ve curated a few of my favorite fall gathering essentials for you.
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THE MENU
Choose a dish that can hang out on the stove or in the oven. Something that simmers or braises feels perfectly cozy and keeps you untethered. My Dutch oven sits ready on my stove during the Fall. A make ahead dessert or dressed up grocery find is your super power. Focus on what’s in season as the flavor will be in it’s prime and the price will be more economical. Check out this online guide.
I’ve got four menu options for your first Fall dinner party. And don’t feel like you’ve got to go it alone, gathering is a communal opportunity (that’s the point after all). Find ways to invite others in, delegate, and outsource. I like to have a list of things that guests can bring, if they ask… ice, favorite wine, sourdough, good butter, or gelato for starters. Reach out to a friend, inviting them to come prep with you or bring a side or dessert. Also, never hesitate to outsource what makes sense for you like, dumplings and noodles from your favorite local Asian spot, fresh pastries from the bakery, or even an order of pulled pork from your BBQ dive.
HEARTY AND COZY
(GREAT MAKE AHEAD OPTION)
- Carnita Stew with a build your own topping bar: avocado, sour cream, cotija cheese, cilantro, lime wedges, pickled red onions, tortilla chips, and jalapenos.
- Easy sliced avocado and citrus salad with flaky sea salt, squeeze of lime, and drizzle of olive oil (completely optional but easy for those who HAVE to have a side).
- Your favorite store bought gelato with Luxardo cherries and a splash of Grand Marnier or Cointreau and toasted slivered almonds.
- Put a friend in charge of Margs or Agua Fresca
THE LAZY GIRL DINNER
- Easy Dan Dan Noodles
- Steamed Edamame with flaky sea salt
- Spicy Smashed Cucumbers
- Frozen Dumplings with Houisen Sauce
- Mochi ice cream: these are small bite sized desserts made of chewy rice dough wrapped around a center of ice cream. You can find them at most grocery stores in the freezer section.
COASTAL GRANDMA HOUR
- Caramelized Lemon Roast Chicken
- Fall Panzanella Salad
- Roasted Seasonal Veggies. Think bell peppers, brussels sprouts, carrots, sweet potatoes, or winter squash.
- Spiced Pear Galette or my Vegan Chocolate Mousse Parfaits (you won’t believe the secret ingredient)
APERO HOUR GIRLIES
(MIX & MATCH OR DELEGATE)
- Sweet and Spicy Korean Chicken Wings
- Roasted Tomato and Stracciatella Dip
- Whipped Feta with Hot Honey
- Cinnamon Honey Butter Popcorn
- Mini Apple Galettes
- Bowl of potato chips, with a side of creme fraiche and caviar
- 5 minute appetizer: Castelvetrano olives, marcona almonds, manchego cheese cubes, olive oil, sea salt, lemon zest, pinch of chili flakes
- Affogato — vanilla gelato + hot espresso poured tableside, zero baking required
- Self Serve Spritz or Wine Station
Loved these menus? My Fall eBook has 20 more fall recipes to keep the season going — grab it here!
THE MOOD
First, turn off the overhead lights. Candles and lamp lighting create a warm cozy intimate atmosphere which encourages others to feel at home and at ease. Don’t feel like you have to go out and purchase lamps and candles galore. Just begin to move towards this vibe, slowly collecting lamps and candlesticks at thrift stores or facebook marketplace. The house that hosts isn’t built overnight, it’s cultivated over time.
Second, keep 2 or 3 quality conversation starters in your back pocket. It’s always a fun way to get guests chatting about more meaningful topics and foster deeper connections. Start lighthearted then move onto more thoughtful questions as people begin to feel comfortable. Here are a few of my favorites…
If you had to give a 10 minute presentation on the fly what would it be about?
What kind of kid were you growing up?
What do you do to recharge after a tough day or season?
What is something people often assume about you that’s not true?
You can find some of my favorite decks of convo cards here
However your first fall dinner party turns out — a little burnt, a little chaotic, completely worth it — that’s the whole point. Do it badly. Do it anyway. That’s the whole secret to eventually doing it goodly (not a word, don’t care). I’m cheering you on!
XOXO,
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