We like the way short, stubby wine glasses add a note of nonchalance to a dinner party. The squat stem glass is more casual and understated than their elongated, more fragile counterparts. Case in point: At a recent dinner party, I served drinks in low-to-the-table glasses. I noticed that guests seemed unusually at ease. Maybe it was the glass, or maybe it was the wine, but I'm convinced that shorter is better.
Although we now know her as a domestic diva who seems to plan fabulous dinner party with ease, Ina Garten's first attempt at hosting was a total disaster. The Barefoot Contessa has learned a lot since that initial gathering, and her decades of hosting casual-yet-elegant affairs have equipped her with brilliant tips to share with the rest of us, ranging from recipes to feed a crowd to simple cocktails to effortless table settings.
Hosting a dinner party can be a lot of fun, but it can also be kind of stressful. You want your guests to have a great time, enjoy good food and drink, and feel comfortable in your home. Hosts often put their focus on planning the dinner party menu, buying delicious desserts, and setting up decorations, but those aren't the only parts that matter.