In 2024, I officially entered my hosting era. I think I hosted more parties than ever before—plus attended my fair share of hosted events. Sure, there were the usual suspects like family reunions, Thanksgiving dinners, a birthday party, and small dinners with friends. But this year, my group of friends got really into themed dinner parties. I’m talking every two months, like clockwork, and I’m obsessed.
While I didn’t get to host every dinner party, I had a blast getting creative with the dishes I brought—and even dressing up for some of the randomly chosen themes.
I haven’t mapped out my entire 2025 party calendar just yet, but the opportunities are endless! So, I thought I’d compile a list of five party themes I’m dreaming of hosting this year (or maybe next). If you’re looking for inspiration, read on—you might just find your next excuse to throw a fabulous dinner party.
1. Italian Dinner Party
An Italian dinner party feels timeless and versatile—perfect for any season. But I’m envisioning this one in early or late summer, outdoors in the garden or backyard, with a long, rustic table surrounded by my closest friends.
Food & Drinks:
- Go all-in with a multi-course menu—aperitivo, primi, secondi, and dessert. Pair each course with the perfect wine, of course.
- Or keep it simple with a potluck-style dinner, assigning each guest a course to bring.
- Big budget? Hire a chef or caterer so you can relax and focus on hosting.
Decor Vibes: Think mismatched thrifted plates, potted herbs, and fresh florals in shades of red. A classic linen tablecloth or runner draped over a wooden table would be chef’s kiss. I even put together a mood board (check it out here!) to set the vibe.
2. Galentine’s Day Party—but Make it Sexy High Tea
Imagine this: walls covered in silver tinsel. Dramatic? Yes. But impactful? Absolutely. While this could easily work for New Year’s Eve, I think it would be chef’s kiss for Galentine’s Day, done up in red.
The Look:
- Red tinsel everywhere. Minimal effort, maximum impact.
- Bows—everywhere. On candle sticks, champagne flutes, and garlands.
The Menu: This party’s all about nibbles and drinks—no full meals required:
- Sexy, bite-sized appetizers: warm dips, shrimp cocktail, puff pastries, and tea sandwiches.
- Thrifted tea cups filled with prosecco, punch, or cocktails for a playful twist on high tea.
The Dress Code: Red, pink, or white—and bonus points for bows. The whole vibe is girly glam, and I’m here for it.
3. Real Housewives Viewing Party
This idea was born after I spent the better part of 2024 binge-watching Real Housewives of New Jersey (and I’m obsessed). Hosting a viewing party for one of the new seasons feels like a must.
Party Highlights:
- Serve drinks from Housewives’ brands—Vanderpump Rosé, Skinnygirl Margaritas, Vida Tequila.
- Decorate based on the show’s location—or go all out with a girls’ trip vibe. Rent an Airbnb, each guest plans a group activity, and have at least one fancy dinner where everyone gets dolled up.
Add a trivia game to test everyone’s Housewives knowledge—because who doesn’t want to roleplay their favorite character?
4. Wine Tasting Dinner Party
If there’s one thing my family and I love, it’s red wine. We’re very opinionated about what we like, so a wine-tasting dinner party feels like the perfect fit.
The Setup:
- Cover each bottle for a blind tasting—bonus points for guessing the grape or region.
- Pair each wine with a food item. (I’m thinking wine and chip pairings or even candy pairings to keep it fun.)
- Provide scorecards like this one to keep track of guesses and tasting notes.
I’ll keep this one more refined than the last time I tried it—no Beef Wellington in the oven this time. Lesson learned 😉
5. Seafood Bake at the Cabin
I’ve never actually been to a seafood bake, but the idea has been living rent-free in my head. My partner’s family owns a waterfront cabin on an island, and we’re there all the time. Hosting a seafood bake on the deck this summer sounds like a dream.
The Vision:
- Fresh seafood spread out on butcher paper right on the table—no plates needed.
- A casual lunch setup to avoid the evening bug situation.
- Ice-cold drinks, a playlist full of summer vibes, and endless sunshine.
Party Planning Is My Love Language
If it’s not obvious by now, I love hosting and planning parties. Honestly, sometimes I think I love the planning part even more than the actual party. No matter what type of party I plan to throw first, I always start off with my Party Planning Spreadsheet. It really helps to get all my ideas out of my head and organized in a n easy to access spot!
These five themes feel totally doable in 2025—no bachelorette party or milestone birthday required. Whether you’re going big with a fully themed dinner or keeping it casual with snacks and drinks, hosting can be as elaborate (or as simple) as you want.I’d love to hear—what themes are you dreaming of hosting this year? Drop your ideas in the comments, and make sure to follow along to see if I manage to pull any of these off!
Cheers!
