<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"KELLY STUART FOR HEARST DIGITAL When entertaining, DON&amp;#039;T:  \u2022 Make a seating chart: People will organically be drawn to each other, let them mingle and see what happens. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s more interesting that way,&amp;quot; says Kathryn Ireland. \u2022 Obsess over a theme: You are creating an experience for your guests. Focus on what feeling you want the evening to evoke not a theme \u2013this will help you plan other details as well. \u2022 Try a new recipe: A dinner party is not a time to try a new recipe\u2014it will create unnecessary stress and good food is key\u2014stick with tried and true dishes.  \u2022 Underprepare: When your guests arrive you should be able to mingle as a guest. This means doing your homework and having everything ready beforehand. &amp;quot;Great restaurants run so smoothly because they set everything up in stations, so it&amp;#039;s easy to access whatever you need for each course,&amp;quot; says Windsor Smith. &amp;quot;I never want people to have to wait for refills.  \u2022 Forget to stock the bar!: Drinks help the conversation flow. Home bar essentials include bourbon, vodka, gin, rum, scotch, whiskey and tequila, along with standard mixers like soft drinks, fruit juices, tonic water and club soda.  \u2022 Create a strict schedule: Being intuitive is part of being a good host. &amp;quot;It&amp;#039;s like choreography,&amp;quot; says Smith. &amp;quot;Knowing when its time to bring out the food or when energy starts to wane is important.&amp;quot; \u2022 Lack confidence: Before your guests arrive go through the evening. Is everything stocked? Does your home feel welcoming? Believe in what you have created. &amp;quot;If a hostess is unsure, then her guests aren&amp;#039;t comfortable,&amp;quot; says Susan Gutfreund \u2022 Make it complicated: Entertaining should be fun, it&amp;#039;s about spending time with you people you enjoy. &amp;quot;Everyone should remember that it doesn&amp;#039;t have to be complicated,&amp;quot; says Hutton Wilkinson. &amp;quot;Just order wonderful takeout, dress up a little and set a marvelous table, and no one will know the difference.&amp;quot;  This article originally appeared on Veranda. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.elledecor.com/life-culture/entertaining/a6411/dont-make-these-entertaining-mistakes-veranda/>