On any given day, your approach to dinnertime for your family might be to simply get things done as quickly and simply as possible. And that’s fair enough, since we all have so many other responsibilities in our lives! However, while that might be the default option, it shouldn’t be the only option. There are times when you should make your family dinners a little more special than usual. This doesn’t have to be only when there’s something to celebrate. You don’t need an excuse to share good times as a family!
In this blog, we’ll run through some of the best tips for making a family dinner stand out.
Set the Time
If you’re going to enjoy dinner as a family, then everyone needs to be present. We mean that in both a physical and mental way. As such, it’s important to announce ahead of time at what hour the dinner will be. This will, first, make sure that everyone is there, and that there are no latecomers. Second, it’ll mentally prepare your family to get in the right frame of mind. You could even ask them to dress up a little! This is more important for the benefit of your kids, especially if they’re teenagers, an age when they seem to have so many other things going on.
Make Exciting Food
You can’t gather all your family for a special dinner and then serve the same old meals that you’re always making! The food will set the tone of the evening. If it stands out in one way or another, then your family will respond. There’s no shortage of exciting options out there. A good place to start is to pick up some ingredients that you don’t usually buy. There are shops that sell Korean groceries online; could you buy an interesting ingredient that you don’t usually use in your cooking? You’ll find that this approach not only makes eating the dinner more exciting but also the process of making the meal more exciting too.
Solicit Help
Most of the time, it’s unlikely that your children are helping you to make your family meals. But when it’s a special dinner, it’s worthwhile roping them in to provide a helping hand. There are many benefits to doing so! For instance, there will likely be some small dishes that need to be made, which don’t require a lot of technical skill. Second, you’ll be giving them a lesson in how to cook — and that’s something that can stick with them for a long time to come.
A Party Atmosphere
Finally, take a look at the atmosphere that you’re creating. The dinner itself will be fun, but the prep should be too. One way to do this is to look at creating a fun, social environment, one that includes music, and perhaps a glass of wine for the adults. You’ll find that everyone’s already in a happy mood by the time the food is served, which will help make the dinner fun too.