New Year, New Traditions
Making hosting dinner parties my personality trait this year, follow along so you can too!
I’ve never been a resolution type of gal, I’m more of an if I want a challenging change in my life I’ll start the next day person. And starting on January 1st seems like a pressure I don't want to encounter, especially when the whole world is also beginning their life-changing habits that day. The term ‘Resolution’ also confuses me in the context of a new year - is it the firm decision to do or not to do something, or is it the action of solving a problem? The distinction does matter because in my case if I were to pick up a resolution there isn’t necessarily a “problem” for me to fix. What I do love from the start of the new year is taking a hobby that I loved from the year before, and “adding more of it to my plate”. So I suppose I’m answering my own question and therefore defining a New Year Resolution as a decision to do or not to do.
You heard it here first folks, I have decided upon a resolution. My 2025 New Year Resolution is to focus on entertaining or hosting a themed dinner party once a month (excluding January because well I said so… and it’s my resolution not yours). I’ve been flirting with this event planning since October, and once I had served up a feast for my friends for a Christmas dinner, I got an idea of what kind of chaos I’m up against.
I love a little challenge, and it’s a way for me to improve my cooking/hosting skills at the same time. It also allows me a way to address a need to do something creatively in my life, something I lost sight of in 2024. My 2024 year was in no way unsuccessful, but I had instead spent most of my time with health and wellness - nothing wrong with that of course - just found a bit of an unfulfilled hole in my time.
I came across Meredith Hayden from Wishbone Kitchen, Alison Roman from Home Movies and NYT Cooking, and Isabelle Heikens from Dinner at Isabelle’s on TikTok. They have undoubtedly inspired me, and have influenced the person I hope to become one day. For the next year, these ladies will be my religion. Their cookbooks are my bible, and their word the divine word of God (Martha Stewart). I fell in love with these ladies because of their own love with food, and the passion they share for cultivating perfect menus for friends and for strangers.
With that being said the upcoming month is the month of loveeee - February. Valentines’ day is my favorite holiday, so I am pretty excited to begin this little journey on such a high note. By taking a month ahead of time to get my thoughts in order, I’m hoping that by the end of January I have a concocted a solid set of dinner themes planned for February through December. I’m also hoping to recipe test the menu items a month prior to the event to work out any quirks or decide if it’s worthy enough to share with friends.
Below are some of the ideas I have for the next year, mostly pulled from others. Any additional ideas or feedback would be greatly appreciated! I’m not setting any of these in stone, but it’s been helpful to lay them out.
February ‘Made with Love’: Romantic candle lit dinner with foods in the pink/red category. I’m thinking a pink pasta as the main.
March ‘Feeling Lucky’: Theme centered around St.Patricks day.
April ‘Garden Party’: The focus - produce. I’m talking farm-to-table esq food and tablescape.
May ‘Spring Chicken’: I don’t know but sounds darling.
June ‘Mediterranean Sunset Soiree’: By far my most anticipated dinner I have listed for the year. Mediterranean food AND a sunset. Perfection.
July ‘Dinner in the Hamptons’: A classy fourth of July celebration. Caviar on hot dogs anyone?
August ‘Tomato Party’: The best fruit, vegetable? They/them?
September ‘Autumnal Elegance’: Similar to Aprils Garden party, but instead elevated and with Septembers best produce featured.
October ‘Murder Mystery’: I’m thinking a fun murder mystery to go alongside a “cereal-killer” food theme. Get it?
November ‘Friendsgiving’: Duh.
December ‘Kitschy Christmas’: An ode to my first dinner party but make it fun!
1Meredith Hayden - Wishbone Kitchen
2Alison Roman - Home Movies & NYT Cooking
3Isabelle Heikens - Dinner at Isabelle’s (TikTok)