Dinner Party Starters

Are you having trouble coming up with dinner party starters? Ideally, your appetizers should be enough to provide your guests with something tasty to nibble on while they wait for the main course, but not so much that they're full before the main event even begins. Here are a few classic examples of popular dinner party appetizers to consider.

When it comes to finding the right dinner party starters, sometimes the theme of your party can help influence your ideas. For example, if your dinner party has a summery theme, try including watermelon balls, grapes, sliced cucumbers, weenies, or miniature pickles a try. Similarly, if you have an Italian theme, using bread dipped in olive oil, stuffed grape leaves, and exotic olives can help enormously in emphasizing your overall theme.

What about dinner party starters for fancier occasions? Some popular choices for formal dinner parties include shrimp cocktails, mini quiches, crackers with quality cheese, small watercress sandwiches, ladyfinger cookies, and more. Combining these delightful snacks with a light white wine or sparkling grapefruit juice is the perfect way to get an evening going on a positive note.

There are ways to provide your guests with delectable dinner party starters even if your budget is tight. For example, chips and dip are a classic snack that's affordable and easy to prepare. However, you can spice this simple snack up a bit by including homemade salsa, guacamole, or spinach and artichoke dip instead of your usual ranch sauce. The type of chips you choose can also create a new taste sensation—try using beet and sweet potato chips or falafel chips with curry dip for an exotic taste. Other affordable goodies include raw vegetables, fruit salad, or a cracker basket.

If you're hard pressed to find something new or unique, you can find other ideas for dinner party starters by searching for unique recipes online. This is especially useful if you plan on using recipes you're unfamiliar with. There are also dinner party blogs to consider that constantly offer up new ideas and advice articles.

These are only a few things to consider when looking up different dinner party starters. Regardless of what you choose, your guests will appreciate having a lovely platter of diverse foods to nibble on while they mingle. Learn more today about how different appetizers can spice up your party and create a lovely preview for the meal ahead!