Menu planning

I love throwing dinner parties! I don't do it as often as I would like because I throw myself completely into the planning mode and spend more time planning or grocery shopping than working >_< This week I am having two different groups of friends over to my apartment for dinner. The first dinner already happened on Tuesday, and the second dinner is going to be on Friday. Here are my personal guidelines for menu planning:

1) Brainstorm menu ideas ahead of time, taking into considerations your guests' tastes, diets, and allergies. Also keep in mind how many people you will have over and if your party has a theme!

2) Read over the recipes carefully. Nobody likes surprises in the middle of cooking >_<

3) Make a list of all the items you need for cooking/table setting then take an inventory of what you already have in your pantry vs. what you need to get at the store(s).

4) Grocery shop before the day of the dinner party. I found that if I wait until the day of the party to grocery shop, I tend to forget things here and there, which makes me stressed and not able to enjoy the process of cooking =(

5) Think about what you can make/prep ahead so you are not scrambling around before your friends arrive. I like to socialize with my friends while we drink some wine and enjoy the appetizers, not running  around the kitchen while everyone else is having a great time.

6) Always end the meal with a good dessert because as the actor William Powell said, "Dessert is probably the most important stage of the meal, since it will be the last thing your guests remember before they pass out all over the table."

7) Last and not least, enlist the help of your significant other if you can. There is nothing wrong with a team effort!

These personal guidelines have worked brilliantly for me everytime! Do you have any specific things you do when you plan for dinner parties??