Want to do something extra special for Mother’s Day this year?
There’s no denying that quality family time is right up there on the list of top Mother’s Day gifts, of course right alongside whimsical homewares and a gourmet breakfast in bed. But what if your mum wants to have a sleep in this Mother’s Day?
Hosting a dinner party can be a lot of work, but it’s also a great opportunity to gather friends and family for a night of good food and good conversation – two things that your mumma is sure to love. If you’re hosting a dinner party for extended family and friends, however, you want to ensure that everyone feels welcome and included. This means making sure that your Mother’s Day dinner spread has a little something on offer for all dietary requirements and preferences.
Here are a few tips to help you host an inclusive, dietary-friendly Mother’s Day dinner party.
Include Non-Alcoholic Wine
One great way to ensure everyone feels included is to offer a selection of non-alcoholic wine. There are many delicious varieties of alcohol-free wine on the market, so you’re sure to find one that suits everyone’s taste.
In addition, serving non-alcoholic wine sends the message that you are considerate of your guests’ needs and want everyone to feel comfortable and included in the evening. As Mother’s Day always falls on a Sunday, it’s also safe to assume that many of your guests may have to get up early for work in the morning. So having the option of non-alcoholic wines and other beverages can help make your dinner party an even more enjoyable end-of-the-week affair.
Make Sure to Have Something for Everyone
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to entertaining is that not everyone has the same dietary needs. Whilst it may feel a bit tricky planning a menu with everyone’s dietary requirements in mind, you’d be surprised by just how many dishes can be easily made vegan, gluten-free, or even nut-free with just a few amendments.
And having a little something for everyone doesn’t mean that your whole table has to be low-FODMAP or anything like that. One easy way to ensure that you are catering to all is by including at least one main and side dish that’s suitable for guests with different dietary needs. This could be as easy as adding a vegan fried rice to your table, and a side of steamed veggies or stir fried tofu.
And if you’re serving a meat-based main course, you could also offer a vegetarian option that’s comparable. Think grilled vegetarian sausages, or maybe even some vegan chicken schnitzels. By taking a little bit of time to accommodate your guests’ dietary needs, you can be sure that everyone will enjoy their meal and have a good time.
Be aware of food allergies and sensitivities
Food allergies and sensitivities are serious matters that should not be taken lightly. It’s important to ensure that you are aware of any allergies or sensitivities that your guests may have.
There are several ways to collect this information from your guests. You can ask friends and family to confirm allergies or sensitivities with any people that they’re looking to invite, or perhaps even send out a digital RSVP card so that you can collect all the information yourself. A digital RSVP could be a great path of action if you’re looking to keep your Mother’s Day dinner party a surprise. You could include a note in the RSVP that communicates the need for secrecy to all your guests!
Be Prepared to Accommodate Special Requests
When hosting a dinner party for any occasion, it’s important to be prepared to accommodate special requests. Whether it’s a guest with dietary restrictions or allergies, or simply a preference for vegetarian or vegan fare, there are a few ways to make sure everyone feels welcome and included.
First, make a list of all the guests attending, and their corresponding dietary needs. This will help you plan your dinner menu with absolute certainty. Additionally, it’s always helpful to have a few backup dishes on hand in case someone is unable to eat something from your original menu. Consider ordering a few allergy-friendly dishes from local restaurants on the night itself, just so you won’t have to do twice the cooking.
Make Sure Your Guest List is Diverse
Of course, hosting an inclusive dinner party isn’t just about what foods are on your table. The best dinner parties are typically those with plenty of varied conversations. That’s why many consider a diverse guest list to be another quintessential component to any unforgettable dinner party.
Why not invite some of your mother’s friends along to the evening? Or maybe encourage friends and family members to bring plus ones? That way, you may be able to enjoy an even deeper sense of community at this special family gathering.
You may even offer your guests the option to bring their own dish along to your Mother’s Day dinner party. That way, you can ensure that your Mother’s Day dinner spread is filled with a variety of different cuisines as well as some of her favourite meals.
Don’t Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Although hosting a dinner party for Mother’s Day is guaranteed to be a great gift idea (alongside the whimsical homewares, of course!), we won’t act like this isn’t a great responsibility to bear, especially if you’re looking to host the event all on your own. If you are feeling a touch overwhelmed with all the considerations you’ll need to make, then you should absolutely ask for a helping hand wherever you need it.
If you’re feeling a bit lost about catering to different diets, you can just ask for a little assistance from those with restrictions, or perhaps even see if they have any suggestions as to what they’d like to see on the table. They may have some great ideas that you wouldn’t have been able to think up yourself! And even if they don’t, simply showing that you’re willing to make an effort to accommodate their needs will go a long way in making them feel comfortable and welcomed anyway, taking the heat off yourself as host.
And finally, don’t forget to have fun. A dinner party is meant to be enjoyed by all – and you better believe that’s the way your mother would want this to go as well. The last thing she’d want is for her Mother’s Day gift to be at all a source of stress for you.
By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your next family Mother’s Day celebration is one for the picture books. Be sure to start planning now though, as Mother’s Day will creep up sooner than you think! It seems to do so every year.
