Winter Dinner Party Tablescape & Menu for 6

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 stew, chili, or soup 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. There’s plenty to offer the neighbors.
• Warm up frozen or fresh rolls in the oven and serve them on the side.
• Dress up some Kettle chips with blue cheese & balsamic glaze for a seriously delicious appetizer.
• Offer up a party cheese board to help round out the dinner menu.
• For dessert, homemade hot chocolate and store-bought baklava do the trick. No need to spend time baking!
• Or put together an easy chocolate charcuterie board that’s basically effortless.
• Consider making a pot of hot toddies or mulled wine to warm guests from the inside, out.
• Let the wine flow; no one’s driving in the snow! Time to enjoy your snowed-in winter dinner party with friends!

Everybody stocks up at the grocery store when there’s snow in the forecast around here. Let everyone pitch in drinks and snacks for a real community feel.

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.
• Slow Cooker Beef Tips with Mushrooms & Onions.
• Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup.
• Slow cooker spaghetti sauce for a crowd.
• Easy ground turkey vegetable soup in the crockpot.

Salad

I love to start the dinner with a green salad course. Here are some fantastic seasonal flavors for winter.

• Green salad with oranges, fennel, & avocado
• Quick and Easy Beet & Goat Cheese Salad
• Roasted grape salad
• Spinach & orzo salad
• Spinach & arugula salad with tomatoes and goat cheese
• Green salad with apples and blue cheese

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
• Easy Pecan Pie Bars
• Oatmeal chocolate chip bars

Party Tips & Inspiration

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 or starter 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 a 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.