Confirm Party Guests and Cafe Mingo’s Sugo di Carne

Are you looking for a recipe to wow your New Year’s Eve crowd? Try this Sugo di Carne pasta dish, with fantastic flavor, plus tips on confirming party guests!

We’re hosting several dinner parties this week, and because it’s winter and the holidays, it’s the season for guests to cancel dinner invitations. Whether they are just pooped, sick, want to stay home, not feeling social–as a hostess I know it happens, so I like to be prepared!

Confirm party guests.

My holiday entertaining tip for dinner parties is for me to confirm with my guests 24 hours before the party begins. Why? It just gives me peace of mind, because I’m a planner! A friendly e-mail reminder, text, or phone call helps those with hectic & busy schedules. It also helps the hostess to adjust the amount of food being served.

Party reminders.

For a New Year’s Eve party this year (learn more about the above dishes, here), here are a few party reminders that help me as a hostess:

Plan a simple menu. I’ll be serving one of our favorite dishes, a specialty dish from Cafe Mingo in Portalnd, Oregon, called penne al sugo di carne. More than do-able—a breeze!

Clean as you go. If you feel the need to clean your house, get it done the day before, and then on the “day of,” pick up and clean as you go. Last minute cleaning causes you to go into panic mode and takes away the joy of hospitality.

Cancellations. Be forgiving when someone needs to cancel, as the holidays are stressful for everyone. Some people overcommit, and then back out at the last minute. Come up with a Plan B in your mind, in case this happens!

Smile. YOU make the party better by your smile, warmth, kindness, personality, etc. Those things cannot be bought & are better than any of the finest foods & decor.

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