One of the important differences between a house or cocktail party and a dinner party is that with the latter all guests are seated around a table. For single urbanites in their 30's that probably means 4-8 people.Regardless of how many guests you're hosting, you'll need to make sure you have sufficient tableware for each seat. A single person's cabinets are likely to be filled with an amalgamation of hand-me-downs, items left behind by former roommates and things acquired from who knows where! Hosting a dinner party is a good chance to take stock and upgrade. The aspiring host basically has 3 options:
- If you have most of what you need in a basic pattern from an established manufacturer, you may be able to complete the set. Amazon and the websites of major tableware retailers like Target or Bed Bath & Beyond are a great place to start. Also, see if the manufacturer has their own online store or distributes through a site like World Kitchen.
- If your current inventory is too eclectic, you can start fresh by buying a complete set. The same retailers mentioned above sell complete sets for service of 4-12. Catch a good sale and this might actually be cheaper than buying individual pieces to complete a set. Choose carefully though. Basic patterns are less likely to become dated and easier to add-to should you wish to expand or need to replace something.
- For those on a budget, consider embracing eccentricity and creating a unique setting for each seat at your table. There's a fine line between being cheap and creative but with a little effort and not much money you can pull this off. The key is for the settings to be truly eclectic. Four mostly similar settings and two pulled together from whatever's left won't cut it. Try some of the thrift stores in nicer neighborhoods and you'll likely find some nice stuff and plenty of options.
