Hosting a dinner party may seem like a daunting task to most. My opinion differs; hosting a dinner party can be easy, fun and a great excuse to be with friends and family. Here are some simple suggestions for throwing a dinner party that can help ensure success.

First, buck the rules of tradition. Add your own personal flare and style to your dinner party. Following Miss Manners-style etiquette only guarantees that a party will be properly stuffy.

Keep it simple. Do not go overboard with your menu; stay within your abilities. There are many easy-to-use sources in print, online and in grocery stores to help you create a menu and organize preparation details. Some useful aids can be found at allrecipes.com, the Surreal Gourmet?s links on winexwired.com and the Food Network?s Website at foodtv.com.

Buy good ingredients to make good food. By searching out some fresh herbs or quality produce and meats, you can turn a relatively plain dish into a memorable eating experience. For additional variety, check the markets for seasonally available produce. Cook light fare when it?s warm and heavier, robust dishes during cooler months.

Your food deserves great beverages. I like to offer a variety of refreshments ranging from non-alcoholic options to wine. Non-alcoholic beverages that are festive and fun include sparkling ciders and mineral waters (try serving them in the same glassware as alcoholic beverages, as to not attract unwanted attention to conservative drinkers).

At my parties, wine is often the beverage of choice. My first and most important rule about wine and food pairing is to forget all the rules. Drink what you and your guests like; leave wine pairing to the stuffy old guys and highbrow wine magazine publishers. For further wine direction, try Wine X magazines website at winexwired.com or visit Beyond Napa Wine Market on Fair Oaks for solid advice on choice wines at competitive prices.

The right mix of people at a dinner party is as important as the right mix of food. Plan to invite one or two charismatic conversationalists to keep the chatter flowing. You can help assure that your guests are comfortable by introducing them in more detail than just names.

Helpful guests with gifts can sometimes be more of a hassle than a help. A few jobs that will fulfill your guests? need to help (and take pressure off of you) include a disc jockey, car key master, greeter / coat hanger, or appetizer passer. If you have a guest that insists on bringing something, some items to suggest include flowers, a newly-released album to listen to at the party or after-dinner chocolates.

Relax and have fun. Even if the food is fantastic, the wine flows and the music is great, a nervous and scattered host can really bring down a dinner party. You put your time and energy in, you are among friends and this is your time, so enjoy!

Matt Szura is a public relations major at Sacramento State and the State Hornet?s food columnist. His column can be read weekly at www.statesornet.com and regularly in the State Hornet newspaper. He can be contacted at [email protected].