One of the “tricks” I find most useful for hosting stress-free dinner parties is to make some of the recipes ahead. I find that too many last minute jobs can overwhelm me, so I plan ahead to eliminate as many as possible. The more dishes you can prepare a day or some hours before guests ring your doorbell, the more you reduce your stress. Here are some reasons: · You avoid a last minute crisis if preparation takes longer than you thought it would. · If you like to cook, you’ll have the leisu.