Throwing a Dinner Party - Games and Entertainment

Dinner Parties are a great way to get people together. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll bond.

Combining food, talking, and games, there is a long lost art to hosting a proper dinner party.

First and foremost, dinner party games are the central piece to any party.

They're essential for guests meeting other guests, bonding, and conversation pieces.

Pick a game that involves teams and rivalry.

Pictionary, Charades, and Taboo are all great games for getting the blood rushing. People will get into the games, and people that don't know each other will be thrust into a situation where communication is essential.

These games will help people work with each other, and more importantly give a common topic to talk about for the remainder of the evening.

After a good set of dinner party games, everyone will be like friends, and have something to laugh about.

Here's some helpful hints on how to set up your dinner party games to have maximum effect.

- Separate or put couples depending on what you're objectives are.

Couples working together can lead to a rivalry between couples, or internal quarrels on a team.

Ladies vs Men can be a lively time, with the rivalry heating up. If you're going to do this type of game, try to switch up the games so that both men and women have a better opportunity through the night

Split up couples (often advised if there is a good mix of singles as well so that people can meet) if you're looking to see the rivalry really start up. Husbands and wives, or boyfriends and girlfriends are more likely to see their competitive nature flare at an event like this!

- Keep in mind your guests preferences

Scene it! is a great game, but if you don't have a number of movie buffs around, it may fall flat. Trivial Pursuit is also great, but if nobody is the "trivia type" it can get a bit long and boring.

If you have a good understanding of what your guests are into, then it should be relatively easy to come up with dinner party games that suit their tastes.

- Plan to avoid or promote "down time"

Depending on the type of atmosphere you're looking to create, you may or may not want "down time" in the evening.

Sometimes this is good for conversation, however if people don't know each other it may lead to awkward silences. Plan out your evening, and be sure to have a backup plan or game if an even ends quickly or doesn't go exactly as planned.