How to Dress for a Company Dinner

Wearing a ties wil make a good impression for a formal dinner.

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Going to a company dinner means you want to impress, or at the very least not stick out for wearing the wrong thing. The correct way to dress for a work function will depend, in part, on the kind of clothes you wear in the workplace. It's important to look your best, so make time not only to pick out the right outfit, but to ensure you're generally well-groomed, as well.

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Dress professionally. This means wear clothes that would be appropriate for the office, not for french fries and a movie with friends.

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Take note of what you normally wear to work and take cues from this. If your work is very formal, men should wear a suit with dress shoes, a shirt and a tie and women should wear a pant or skirt suit or a simple tailored dress with a fitted blazer.

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Dress smart casual, if this is more appropriate to your workplace. To get this look, men should wear dress pants and shoes with a colored shirt and a blazer, but no tie and women should wear a smart skirt or pants with a blouse or simple dress.

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Complete your outfit with the right accessories. Men should wear a good belt and cuff links. Women should wear a simple necklace or bracelet and small ear studs, if she wear earrings.

Tips & Warnings

A woman shouldn't wear anything low cut or revealing to a company dinner, as this might stop other staff members from taking her seriously.

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References"Real Simple": How to Dress for Any Occasion - Business DinnerFashion Industry Network; What To Wear To A Business Dinner; Catherine Horgan; January 2009Wardrobe Advice; What To Wear To A Business Dinner; July 2009Photo Credit Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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How to Dress for Dinner at a House

Ask your host for direction when picking attire.

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When dining at someone's house – whether it's a dinner party or a casual invitation to join the family at their regular meal – you should take just as much care in your attire and appearance as you would if you were dining out at a nice restaurant. Showing up to a dinner party in clothes that are dirty, torn or too casual or provocative shows your host that you don't consider it an honor to be invited to their home. It is important to ensure that your attire is always appropriate when visiting someone else's house for dinner.

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Ask the host beforehand if the occasion is casual or formal and whether it will be a small and intimate dinner or more of a party with a large guest list. For a simply prepared meal and few guests, choose a more casual outfit. If the dinner is more of a banquet involving several courses and elaborate preparation – or if the host is intending to introduce you to someone – choose attire that is more formal but also fashionable.

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Wear an outfit that makes you feel comfortable. You don't want to wear your pajamas, but when you're at someone's house, you want to feel relaxed. Clothing that's too constricting, elaborate or formal will have you fidgeting all night and make your host and the other guests uncomfortable as well.

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Add an accessory to your outfit. A colorful scarf, a statement necklace, a pocket swatch or a vintage wristwatch will add just enough punch to garner compliments and conversation. Keep it to one or two accessories to avoid looking overdressed.

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Bring a pair of glamorous earrings or a dashing dinner jacket in case the occasion turns out to be more formal than you expected.

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Look at yourself in a full-length mirror before heading out to make sure everything looks right. Your outfit should be clean, fresh-smelling and in pristine condition with no tears or stains.

Tips & Warnings

Always bring a gift for your host. A bottle of wine, a dessert or flowers are customary.

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ReferencesCater Hater: How to Dress for a Dinner PartyReal Simple: How to Dress For Any Occasion: The Dinner PartyResourcesThe Dinner Party Planning Site: Dinner Party Etiquette - What Should You Know About It?Newport Manners: Ask DidiPhoto Credit Christopher Robbins/Digital Vision/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Tips on Hosting Potluck Dinner Parties

Everyone contributes to the meal at a potluck dinner.

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Throwing a potluck dinner takes away some of the pressure you feel preparing an entire meal in the kitchen, but such parties require more effort in their coordination. Taking charge of a potluck puts on your shoulders the responsibility of ensuring that the hodgepodge of dishes brought has a cohesiveness when served. A properly pulled-off potluck should be a fulfilling feast for a fellowship of friends and family.

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At least two weeks in advance of the party, assign each attendee to the potluck a dish type to bring. To have enough food for a potluck party of 10 to 12 people, Francine Halvorsen in "Crowd-Pleasing Potluck: 225 Delicious Recipes Guaranteed to Win Rave Reviews," recommends serving two or three appetizers, two side dishes, bread and butter, two desserts, one salad and one main dish to serve one dozen people. Scale the amounts up or down as needed for the event.

Pick a Theme

Establish a theme to guide the guests in choosing dishes to bring for the potluck dinner. Ideas include picnic dishes, Mexican foods, Italian foods and regional favorites. With a theme, the dishes will have a connection and the meal will not seem haphazard or ill-planned. Have recipe suggestions ready for guests who cannot think of a dish to bring.

Last-Minute Preparation

When each guest responds to the party invitation, find out the dish he is bringing and any preparation needed just before the party. Set up the table for putting potluck dishes near an electric outlet if the guest's dish must be kept warm in a slow cooker. Have plenty of ice for keeping cold dishes cold. Clean out your refrigerator to store cold dishes until serving. Have at least one serving utensil per dish for the table and plates, eating utensils and napkins for everyone coming to the party. Set aside resealable food containers for guests to take home leftovers.

Labels and Recipes

Ask each of the guests bringing a potluck dish to provide a recipe for it in case other attendees want a copy. Set stacks of the recipes on a separate table from the dishes. Label each of the potluck dishes brought to accommodate those with dietary restrictions and allergies.

References"Crowd-Pleasing Potluck: 225 Delicious Recipes Guaranteed to Win Rave Reviews"; Francine Halvorsen; 2007"How to Organize Just About Everything: More Than 500 Step-by-step Instructions for Everything from Organizing Your Closets to Planning a Wedding to Creating a Flawless Filing System"; Peter Walsh; 2004"Vegetarian Times"; A Moveable Feast; Patsy Jamieson; December 1999Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Things to Bring to a Potluck Dinner

Keep in mind the potluck's location when choosing your dish-to-pass.

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When deciding what dish to bring to a potluck, keep in mind the location of the gathering and the tastes of the people who are attending. It wouldn't do to make a pot of hot soup in the middle of summer or bring turkey meatloaf to a potluck for vegetarians. Once you have the event's details, start thinking about which one of your recipes you feel comfortable making for a large group of people.

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Dishes like lasagna, sloppy joes, chili, pulled pork sandwiches and casseroles are perfect for feeding a crowd. However, hot food can become unappetizing as it cools. Check with the potluck coordinator to find out if there are outlets available for slow cookers and electric roasters to keep your food hot. Consider using chafing dishes to keep the food warm if you are outside or in a building without outlets.

Cold Food

Salads, cold pasta dishes, fresh fruit and vegetables, dips and salsas are just a few of the many dishes you can take to a potluck. Because these dishes don't require a heat source and can be easy to make, cold food is a popular potluck option. Ask the party coordinator or other people attending what they are planning to bring to avoid making the same food. Fill large pans or bowls with ice to keep cold food from spoiling during summer parties or locations without refrigeration.

Desserts

Individually sized desserts, like cookies or cupcakes, are easy for people to grab, since they don't have to pry a piece out of the pan. Frosted sheet cakes and brownies are easy to make and can feed a lot of people. Precutting cakes and pies before the party will save time, especially if the event is outside and there isn't a knife available. Remember to bring serving utensils for pies, cakes and other desserts that need to be served from the pan.

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Ideas for Dinner Party Table Favors

Match your guest favors to your party theme.

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If you're hosting an upcoming dinner party, it's always a good idea to purchase party favors for your guests. Although they are certainly not necessary, they are a thoughtful way of thanking your guests for their presence. When choosing favors, consider your guests' interests and the theme of your dinner party.

Related Searches: Themed Favor

If your dinner party has a theme, choose guest favors that match your theme. Examples include seeds or miniature birdhouses for a garden-themed party, flip-flops or beach bags for a beach-themed party, silk fans or fortune cookies for an Asian-themed party, or mittens or scarves for a winter-themed party. Other favor ideas include cookie cutters, bookmarks or books that match your theme.

Personalized Favor

Many items can be custom ordered with your guests' names or initials, including coasters, tea light holders, note pads, decks of cards, ornaments and cosmetic bags. Alternatively, you could purchase metal favors and have them engraved with your guests' names. Ideas include jewelry, cuff links, money clips, pens, mini keepsake boxes and serving pieces.

Edible Favor

Edible favors are popular choices for most events. They don't have to match your party's theme or color scheme, but they certainly can. Examples include homemade cookies with the recipe attached, gourmet popcorn, jumbo lollipops, jam jars, pouches of hot chocolate with chocolate-dipped spoons, gourmet candy apples, mini boxes of truffles and mint tins.

Alcohol-Related Favor

If the guests attending your dinner party enjoy alcohol, then an alcohol-related favor may be the way to go. Examples include shot glasses, wine stoppers, bottle openers, miniature bottles of premium alcohol, cocktail kits, cocktail recipe refrigerator magnets, cocktail shakers, flasks, beer koozies and alcohol-flavored chocolates.

ReferencesBirthday Party Ideas 101: Unique Party Favors for AdultsGreat Birthday Party Ideas: Birthday Party FavorsPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Dinner Party Activities for a Business Dinner

A business dinner often includes ice-breakers and other games for dinner party members to get to know each other better.

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Large and small businesses alike host business dinners to bring together clients and colleagues, to celebrate the company's success, employee promotions or to finalize a business deal. Often held in restaurants, it is important to use ice breakers that encourage conversations and prevent awkward silence among guests that might not know each other well. In addition, dinner games help maintain team spirit after hours.

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Divide the guests into pairs and ask them to interview each other for about three minutes. Each interviewer must find three interesting facts about their partner. Then gather the guests at the dinner table and ask them to present three facts about their partner to the other guests. Give the participants one minute to present their facts, then keep moving until each guest has said something. Ideally, this game is played before dinner, as it encourages conversation.

Fact or Fiction?

Provide each guest with pen and paper, and ask each guest to write three things about themselves that other group members would not know. Two would be true statements and one must be false. Each guest will read aloud the three facts, asking which statement is false. This activity generates conviviality and helps guests and leaders know each other better. However, guests should refrain from revealing intimate details about their lives, to prevent embarrassment in the office.

Ask Questions of Other Guests

To stimulate conversations, give each guest a piece of paper with a series of questions to ask other guests. Questions can include who has the most unusual hobby, the most embarrassing experience, the favorite meal a guest has ever had and where it was or which holiday destination they found interesting. This game may be played before dinner, since it helps the guest to mix, as each guest talks to the other guests.

Message Under a Plate

The phrase game involves printing an interesting phrase or phrases on a business card and placing it under each dinner plate. Phrases such as, “I wish I could go to the moon” or "If I knew then what I know now" or "To the victor go the spoils" are commonly used. Before dinner, ask each participant to memorize the phases under their plates without sharing it with anyone else. Each guest mentions the phrases in a sentence while other guests try to figure out the phrase from the conversation. This game livens up the table and opens up conversations between guests.

ReferencesUltimate Dinner Party: Fabulous Dinner Party Games and Fun Conversation Starters; Kathy Baldwin; May 2009Divine Dinner Party: Funny Party Games and Dinner Table GamesInsight Type Pad: 40 Icebreakers for Small Groups; Grahame KnoxPhoto Credit BananaStock/BananaStock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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Dinner Party Icebreaker Ideas

Play some games that get dinner party guests smiling.

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When you host a dinner party that includes guests who might not know each other, plan to have at least one icebreaker game at the beginning of the party. These short games encourage guests to mingle or get to know each other better. Successful icebreakers help guests relax and encourage good conversation at the dinner table.

Related Searches: "Who Am I?" Games

Some icebreaker games assign guests to recognizable people or characters and require them to figure out who they are. When playing these games, choose celebrities or figures that everybody will know and recognize. Examples include the president or very prominent politicians, longstanding star actors, classic fictional characters and characters from very popular television shows. For one type of icebreaker, put a sticker on each guest's back that has a name on it. Each time the guest talks to someone at the party, he can ask that person a question to help discover what name is on his back. In another icebreaker, have a volunteer briefly leave the room while everyone else decides on a famous person. When the volunteer returns, everyone else pretends the volunteer is that famous person and asks questions as if they were interviewing that person. The volunteer makes up answers and uses information in the questions and the other guests' reactions to his answers to figure out what famous person he is supposed to be.

Self-Disclosure Games

Games that require guests to disclose information about themselves can make for interesting conversation later as guests ask each other about facts that came up in the game. Choose icebreakers that require guests to reveal unusual things about themselves. One game, called "Never Have I Ever," has guests sitting in a circle of chairs with one guest standing in the center with no chair. After the guest in the center names something he has never done, anyone who has done that thing must stand up and find a new chair, and the person in the middle must try to sit down in an empty chair. The guest who ends up in the middle makes the next statement. Another game, called "Two Truths and a Lie," works well at the dinner table. Each guest states three facts about himself, but the catch is that only two of them are true, and the third is a plausible lie. Other guests have to vote on which is the lie.

Worksheet Games

If your dinner party includes a cocktail hour of mingling before the dinner, give guests a worksheet-based game to fill out during the cocktail hour. One type of worksheet lists unusual characteristics or accomplishments, such as being an only child or having traveled to at least four continents. Guests must try to fill in their worksheets with names of people who fulfill those. Another type of worksheet asks broader questions, such as how many people in attendance have a vegetable garden or how many people work within a five-minute drive of their home.

Other Icebreakers

Use just about any short game as an icebreaker. The goal is for guests to get to know something about each other. For example, at a large dinner party, divide guests into groups of at least four people and have them arrange themselves in a line based on different characteristics. You might ask them to arrange by height, by the age of their oldest parent, by birth location from east to west, by high school graduation date or by the number of items they are wearing. If you need to introduce each other while you are seated at a table, play a memory game where each guest says his name and then something he likes that starts with the same letter. Each following guest must repeat all previous guests before adding his own name and thing he likes.

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Table Ideas for Dinner Parties

Enjoy a relaxing evening with family and friends by hosting a dinner party.

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Hosting a dinner party can be an exciting event and a great way to gather together with friends and enjoy an evening together. However, getting ready for a dinner party can also require some careful forethought and planning. Perhaps you are having a themed evening and would like to incorporate your table into the overall motif for the event. Maybe you are hosting a classy cocktail party and need a dignified table setting, or perhaps you are simply having a casual, laid-back evening with some friends but would like to do a little something extra and special. Regardless of the situation, there are myriad possibilities for table ideas to turn your dinner party into the ideal evening.

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If the weather permits, setting up your table outdoors can allow you to not only enjoy some good company, but also take in some fresh air. In particular, an outdoor table option can be ideal for those lacking a proper indoor dining space. Any kind of makeshift or folding table will be sufficient; with tasteful table decor and an elegant tablecloth, no one will notice what kind of table is underneath. Use colors and elements from outdoors to decorate your table. This will tie your table in with the natural surroundings. For example, if the season is fall, select a red, orange or yellow table runner. Arrange some candles along the runner, encircled by some choice, colorful fall leaves.

Japanese Table Dinner Party

Dining out for sushi can be an expensive outing, but for a fraction of the cost, create an authentic Japanese evening at home. A few details go a long way for a Japanese style table, which is traditionally more on the minimalist side. Therefore, putting together a Japanese-themed table requires less elaborate decorating. Oriental paper lanterns are cost-efficient and quick to make, in addition to giving off a relaxing ambiance of light. Purchase rice paper in different colors to decorate your dining area. Add simple details such as bamboo place mats and chopsticks. Instead of a floral centerpiece, use a bonsai tree as the focal point of your table. If you want to make your evening even more genuinely Japanese, set your dinner at a low table and sit on pillows to eat.

Harvest Table

A harvest-styled dinner party table can tie in exquisitely with a bountiful feast. Jewel-toned napkins and place settings are reminiscent of harvesting and crops. For this table theme, try using an edible centerpiece, such as a bread basket, decorated with dried corn ears. Use other edible items, such as apples, gourds and squash as adornments around your main centerpiece. A woven bread basket adds a rustic touch to your table. Other smaller elements, such as pine cones and decorative leaves can be used as embellishment around the rest of the table.

Beach Table

Whether it is actually summer and you want to celebrate the sunny season or you are stuck in the midst of a cold dreary winter, yearning for the beach, this beach-themed table is a cheerful reminder of vacations and relaxation. Use a soft blue tablecloth on your table. Tastefully sprinkle some sand in swirling patterns before setting the table. For a fun, casual centerpiece, use a plastic sand castle or a small pail and shovel. For a classier style, select a couple of tall standing, white candles and surround them with seashells from the beach.

ReferencesDivine Dinner Party: Table Decorating IdeasPhoto Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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After-Dinner Activities for Large Dinner Parties

Relaxing activities ensure a fun dinner party continues even after dessert.

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When dinner is over and everyone is full, the last thing you need is physical activity that can tire your guests and even give them indigestion. Instead, you need relaxing games, based more on thought and less on physical effort. So offer each guest a glass of his desired drink and get ready for some relaxed yet mind-challenging activities. You can even purchase small prizes ahead of time for the winners.

Related Searches: Board Games

Board games are a simple way of gathering dinner party guests and having some quality time together. Ensure that the game is suitable for many players, so you can include all of your guests, or suggest playing in teams rather than individual players. Read the rules of the game out loud -- passing the booklet around so everyone can read it is too time-consuming -- and let the games begin.

Guessing Games

You don't need any equipment for guessing games -- just sufficient space for guests to gather 'round. Twenty Questions is a guessing game in which one player thinks of a specific person and all other guests can ask 20 questions total in a bid to identify her. An alternative is The Famous People Game: trying to describe a famous person without mentioning his name. Each round of such games rarely lasts more than 15 minutes, so everyone can get the chance to pose a challenge to the rest of the dinner party's guests.

Pen-and-Paper Games

Just like guessing games, pen-and-paper games don't require any special equipment. However, these games are more diverse and complicated than guessing games. Such games range from Find the Formula -- a game for math-savvy guests -- to Hangman and your own version of Pictionary. Ensure you provide a surface where guests can lay the paper to write on. A clipboard for each guest can be a costly option, so ensure you can provide a big table, which also has the advantage of bringing guests closer together.

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

The ultimate activity following dinner can be a tournament that includes all guests but ends up with one undisputed winner. A Rock Paper Scissors tournament is suitable for a large dinner party, as it allows pairs of contestants to play simultaneously, as opposed to darts or billiards tournaments. This way, you avoid the hassle of guests waiting too long for their turn. Rock Paper Scissors is a game that everyone knows how to play and many guests may find nostalgic. And don't forget: prizes for the winners make any game more fun.

ResourcesThe Guardian: After-Dinner GamesBarelyBad: 20 QuestionsPencil and Paper GamesPhoto Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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After-Dinner Activities for Large Dinner Parties

Relaxing activities ensure a fun dinner party continues even after dessert.

Flag this photo

When dinner is over and everyone is full, the last thing you need is physical activity that can tire your guests and even give them indigestion. Instead, you need relaxing games, based more on thought and less on physical effort. So offer each guest a glass of his desired drink and get ready for some relaxed yet mind-challenging activities. You can even purchase small prizes ahead of time for the winners.

Related Searches: Board Games

Board games are a simple way of gathering dinner party guests and having some quality time together. Ensure that the game is suitable for many players, so you can include all of your guests, or suggest playing in teams rather than individual players. Read the rules of the game out loud -- passing the booklet around so everyone can read it is too time-consuming -- and let the games begin.

Guessing Games

You don't need any equipment for guessing games -- just sufficient space for guests to gather 'round. Twenty Questions is a guessing game in which one player thinks of a specific person and all other guests can ask 20 questions total in a bid to identify her. An alternative is The Famous People Game: trying to describe a famous person without mentioning his name. Each round of such games rarely lasts more than 15 minutes, so everyone can get the chance to pose a challenge to the rest of the dinner party's guests.

Pen-and-Paper Games

Just like guessing games, pen-and-paper games don't require any special equipment. However, these games are more diverse and complicated than guessing games. Such games range from Find the Formula -- a game for math-savvy guests -- to Hangman and your own version of Pictionary. Ensure you provide a surface where guests can lay the paper to write on. A clipboard for each guest can be a costly option, so ensure you can provide a big table, which also has the advantage of bringing guests closer together.

Rock Paper Scissors Tournament

The ultimate activity following dinner can be a tournament that includes all guests but ends up with one undisputed winner. A Rock Paper Scissors tournament is suitable for a large dinner party, as it allows pairs of contestants to play simultaneously, as opposed to darts or billiards tournaments. This way, you avoid the hassle of guests waiting too long for their turn. Rock Paper Scissors is a game that everyone knows how to play and many guests may find nostalgic. And don't forget: prizes for the winners make any game more fun.

ResourcesThe Guardian: After-Dinner GamesBarelyBad: 20 QuestionsPencil and Paper GamesPhoto Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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How to Excuse Yourself From Dinner Invitations

Decline a dinner invitation politely so you get invited again.

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Receiving an invitation for a dinner party that you cannot attend can occasionally make for an uncomfortable situation. If you legitimately cannot attend the dinner or do not want to, it is your responsibility to let the host know in a polite and timely manner. The way in which you do so depends on several factors.

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Always excuse yourself from an invitation to an event using the same method through which the invitation was extended. For example, if the host emailed or called you to invite you to the dinner, declining via email or phone is acceptable. If you received a formal invitation containing an RSVP card, fill out the card to indicate that you cannot attend and return the card promptly. When the host uses a formal invitation, declining via email or phone is unacceptable.

Honesty

As much as possible, provide an honest reason why you cannot attend the dinner party. An honest reason gives the host the feeling that you might have attended if you had been able. For example, if you are sick or have a prior engagement that evening, say so. When indicating that you have a prior engagement, however, avoid making it sound as though the other event is more important. Instead, stress that you already made a commitment to someone else before you received the invitation to the dinner event.

Politeness

Decline the invitation in a polite manner. Use a phrase such as, "I'm really sorry to miss the dinner and I hope everyone has a wonderful time," to convey your disappointment about not attending. If you decline by phone or email, take a moment to politely say you're sorry you're not able to attend. With a formal RSVP, add a term such as "regretfully" to the box labeled "cannot attend."

Suggest Future Meeting

If you are legitimately sorry you cannot attend the event, contact the host after the event is over and express interest in getting together. Avoid making this sort of plan prior to the event, as the host might be busy planning the dinner. Suggesting getting together for coffee, a movie or a walk in the park shows the host that you enjoy her company and feel bad about missing the dinner event. If her feelings were hurt when you didn't attend, following up with a future get-together is ideal.

ReferencesLifeScript: 5 Steps to Politely Declining InvitationsCouples Company: How to Gracefully Accept or Decline an InvitationEmily Post: Invitation EtiquetteMSN Lifestyle: Miss Manners: On Turning Down 'Party' InvitationsPhoto Credit Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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