Winter Dinner Party & Menu for 6
Host an easy winter dinner party with a menu that can feed six or more. Get inspired by a mix and match cozy table set with an outdoor snowy backdrop. These dinner party menu ideas and recipes are fun if you’re snowed in with your neighbors!
A while back we had the biggest snow storm I’ve seen since I was a kid. It was beautiful and forced us to stay home for days as it came down for about 36 hours straight.
Of course, knowing it was coming we stocked up on plenty of groceries to see us through. And we ended up getting together with neighbors to do a little socializing.
It all got me thinking about how people come together when wild weather hits and they can’t get out. I decided a last minute snowed-in winter party would be the perfect inspiration for entertaining at home.
By the fourth day, temperatures were rising and the sun was shining. I brought everything out to the patio to capture a lovely backdrop of snow for this dinner party idea.
I found that with almost no planning at all, you can create fun last minute winter themed dinner party ideas. Use this as inspiration for January or February supper clubs, and beyond.
Simple Rustic Tablescape
Set the table with items from around the house. Use a plaid flannel throw as a tablecloth. It adds instant charm and a cozy warm vibe.
Use miss-matched vintage dinnerware on the table setting. I’ve collected this casual grouping of plates over the years and it felt right at home on this table. Place bowls of hot soup, chili, or stew right on top as needed.
If yours is a last minute party, you may not have flowers on hand. Instead, pull some candles and lanterns from around the house, and place a couple of small vases filled with dry Craspedia (aka billy balls).
To bring a little bit of life to the table, snip off pieces of evergreen and use decorative tape to attach them to card stock. These are strictly decorative, but you could also write names on the cards for place holders.
Winter Menu
Make a big crock pot of soup, chili, or stew that can feed a small crowd of friends. Have plenty of wine and hot cocoa on hand too!
- Get the ingredients for slow cooker Brunswick stew, which makes enough for a crowd so there’s plenty to offer the neighbors.
- Dress up some Kettle chips with blue cheese & balsamic glaze for a seriously delicious appetizer or snack. Offer up a party cheese board that’s filled out with veggies to help round out the dinner menu.
- Heat frozen or store-bought rolls in the oven and serve them on the side. Let the wine flow; no one’s driving in the snow! Time to enjoy your snowed-in winter dinner party with friends!
- For dessert, homemade hot chocolate and store-bought baklava or cookies do the trick. No need to spend time baking! Provide Kahlua or chocolate liqueur for an added kick.
- For an even easier dessert, put together a chocolate charcuterie board that’s basically effortless.
- Consider making a pot of hot toddies or mulled wine to warm guests from the inside, out.
Recipes
Looking for more menu ideas? Here are some comfort food recipes for a winter dinner. Some go-to choices are easy casseroles and slow cooker meals.
Main Course
- Easy layered pasta bake with ground turkey, beef, or sausage. Leave the meat out altogether for a vegetarian dinner.
- Hearty slow cooker beef tips with mushrooms & onions is delicious over rice or noodles.
- One of our go-to meals for a crowd is our slow cooker spaghetti sauce; it’s a copycat recipe from a local restaurant.
- Nothing says warm and cozy like a pot of soup. Use the crock pot for slow cooker vegetable beef soup or easy ground turkey vegetable soup. Make a double batch for a crowd.
Salad
I love to start the dinner with a green salad course. Here are some fantastic seasonal flavors for winter.
Dessert
You can put forth a bit more effort with one of these sweet recipes that’s sure to please.
- Apple-Berry Galette
- Dessert Fondue Platter with two fondue flavors.
- Slow cooker brownies served with vanilla ice cream.
- Oatmeal chocolate chip bars
Party Tips
If you do live in a climate where you can be outside for a winter dinner party, make sure to add a few creature comforts as it gets colder through the evening.
- Have fire wood and starter logs, or Duraflame logs ready to build in the fire pit.
- Offer lots of throw blankets for guests to wrap around their shoulders or legs as the temperature drops.
- If you have an outdoor space heater make sure it’s got plenty of fuel to keep it going.
- String lights hung above the table will add a beautiful ambiance.
- Add an outdoor rug to the patio or deck floor to make it even cozier.
- Bring poufs or large pillows outside to sit on.
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Aside from yummy menus for winter dinner party, I have to commend the elegant table settings and table decors. Very lovely. Anyways, thanks for this post, I hope you can do more of like this.
This is so beautiful – makes me want to put on some boots and warm clothing and sit down!
Thank You, you inspired me on the next snow fall we get. I would have host a gathering with family and friends with a winery setting idea like yours. I enjoyed your photos as well..
Chris,
What a great idea. I love how you took it outside even in the crazy weather. I love the rustic browns and gold mixed together. I would love to host my own wintry party for my husband’s clients one day. Thanks for such a great example.
Jenn
Very neat idea! Kudos to you for braving the elements!
Thank you sweet, Bird!
This made me instantly want to be living somewhere where I can get snowed in and throw a winter dinner party! What great ideas!
Thanks Sonja. You can always ‘pretend’ there’s snow outside! 😉
Beautiful! I love the warmth of the gold and copper. Would you share where you found the candle holders? Thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you, Megan. Are you referring to the candle sticks? Those are a mix of vintage/thrift store finds that I have picked up over the years.
The other lantern type holders are a mix from Target, HobbyLobby, & World Market.
Thanks! I love seeing how you pull things together. 🙂