Entertaining when you have a toddler can sometimes present a challenge. What my husband and I have learned is that it’s best to have guests arrive once Jackson is asleep. I can still prepare for the dinner and have the dining room prepped over the course of the day. Before I even start prepping my house for guests – I do a quick cleaning job and then to make it smell inviting I use this go-to recipe from Buzzfeed here.
I also try to buy everything I need for the meal the day before entertaining. I like taking a morning to go to the flower market early and then hit the supermarket just as it opens. The grocery store is quiet and nearly empty and before you know it, I’m finished shopping for dinner. I love the ease of using my #BlueCashEveryday American Express card. It’s great knowing I get 3% back at all U.S. grocery stores. This adds up quickly in our household!
Here are my five tips for creating an effortless epic summer dinner in:
Consider buying some items already prepared. At this dinner, I purchased a roasted corn salad and then mixed it with arugula and feta cheese. It was prepared in no time at all and was budget friendly! As always, I used my #BlueCashEveryday card to make my money work even harder for me.
Always try to have fresh flowers or cutting from your garden. Especially in the summer months, even when you are entertaining inside, it’s nice to have a bit of the outdoors in your home. I love mixing flowers I bought with a few vines of clematis from the garden.
Candles create an intimate atmosphere that shows you are thinking about the finishing touches for your guests to feel special. I usually stick to white candles, but this time I decided to go with a light gray that would coordinate with the flowers.
Cloth napkins are a must. If you don’t have any, consider buying inexpensive fabric and making a set to use everyday or when guests are visiting.
To make your guests comfortable while they dine, consider adding pillows to the chairs. This creates a cozy atmosphere and your guests will be so comfortable!
Most of all, try to make the effort to have friends dine with you. Entertaining can seem daunting, but if you just set out to complete it step-by-step, it really isn’t that difficult. I hope all of you enjoy the last days of summer to the fullest and let’s make a toast to our friends and loved ones!
This post is a partnership with American Express Blue Cash Everyday. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting sponsored posts that keep Sacramento Street doors open.
Photos by Delbarr Moradi