What a better way to kick off summer then a dinner party with your closest friends? There's nothing I love more than to “wine-down” with a cheese board and a glass of wine! Looking for inspiration for your next outdoor gathering? Keep reading for 5 tips for throwing an easy dinner party!

PREP AHEAD OF TIME

Allow yourself to actually enjoy the dinner party by taking the time to prep beforehand! You’ll want to spend less time in the kitchen, and more time having fun with your guests. When I host, I like to make recipes that aren’t just easy to cook, but I can put together ahead of time!

KEEP IT SIMPLE

When hosting a summer event, keep the food simple and light! Finger foods and fruit are a good go-to! For this gathering, I decided to go with a cheese board that includes mix cheeses, sliced meat, crackers, nuts, olives, and grapes.

KEEP THE PARTY INTIMATE

Make the guest list small by inviting just a few family and friends. This will allow everyone to get to know each other better, and will make the gathering easier on you as a host. Plus, it’s always great when there’s less clean up at the end of the night!

CHOOSE THE BEST WINE

I recently fell in love with Cameron Hughes Wine, so I had to serve it for my guests! Plus, wine is the perfect drink for serving an intimate party. Cameron Hughes Wine is all about what’s inside the bottle, without the fancy labels! They make high quality wine at affordable prices, and it’s so easy to order on their simple website. Cameron samples thousands of wine samples a year to give you the best wine. He tastes the bad stuff so you don’t have to! You can get free shipping when you purchase 3 bottles of wine with code: INEEDWINE18.

HAVE FUN

Don’t forget to also have fun! Pour yourself a glass of wine and relax with your closest friends. It is your party after all! Scroll down for more photos, and comment your best tips for summer entertainment!