The Perfect Neopian Dinner Party

How exciting.

But, instead of giggling with glee at the prospect of an evening of merriment and chat, you’re tearing your hair out at the roots and taking your panic out on your unsuspecting Neopets.

Well, fear no longer! Thanks to my, let’s see – fantastically amazingly just darn helpful guide, the most you will have to worry about is the washing up.

‘How can this be?’ I hear you gasp.

Well, after much hard work and the gain of three dress sizes, hours of sampling and price comparing, I have come up with a list of Everything you will need to throw the best dinner party since The One Where Lucy Decided To Juggle Neggy Custard Pies.

And when I say Everything, I mean EVERYTHING.

Food, decorations, drinks, lights – Everything.

So, enough chitter chatter! Read on! You have a dinner party to plan!

1) Canapés

You can’t have a dinner party without a few canapés for the guests to nibble on whilst you prepare their meal. They must be small enough to be eaten with one mouthful, neat enough to be eaten with the fingers, and not too filling – basically a light, tasty treat. There are four examples here; you can use as many or as few as you like. All of these are equally spectacular and will impress all.

a) Tureen of Olives

The King of Canapés. Olives, though not to everyone’s taste, are a traditional dinner party dish and a perfect little snack. Plus, this dish is a conversation starter, as people are bound to remark on the beautifully painted tureen in which these are held.

b) Mini Quiche

Ah, the mini quiche – another favourite. Crumbly golden pastry filled with a delicious eggy, cheesy vegetable mix, and the perfect size to just pluck from a passing plate.

c) Jalapeno Popper

MmmmMMMMmmmm! What MORE could you want in a canapé? Crispy batter, spicy jalapeno and the ‘pop!’ of gooey melted cheese. Slightly unconventional, but it’s also rather nice to have a hot canapé option too, alongside all the cold ones.

d) Plate of crudités

Crudités are yet another well known dinner party dish. However, these beauties have a little twist – alongside the crunchy sticks of fresh vegetables, there is a tchea fruit dip.

2) Drinks

Of course, of course, you can’t have your guest going thirsty! Naturally, as soon as they have finished nibbling their canapés in the atrium or wherever, lead them immediately through to the dining area (see décor). Seat them around your beautifully set table, and bring through the beverages, which they can sit and sip whilst waiting for their meal to begin. It is vital you see their glasses are always full throughout the evening – a host who lets his guests run dry is a bad host.

a) Delicious Faerie Bubbles

A sure-fire way to get the conversation flowing, this nerve-easing fizz will force even the shyest guest to burst into a charismatic frenzy. Ensure you warn your guests to drink it slowly, though; if gulped, it can cause ‘amusing’ flatulence. The last thing you need.

3) Appetizers

Ah, now we’re onto the good stuff! Generally, it is better to offer an appetizer that is light but very flavoursome, in order to excite the tastebuds into anticipation for the main course, without filling the stomach. This suggestion is perfect:

a) Spicy Tomato Soup

This creamy, spicy soup is tasty and hot, perfect when sprinkled with a little salt. Soup is a classic appetizer, and instead of giving your guests an ordinary boring soup, you give them one that is not only excellently seasoned but comes in a cool, novelty, edible bowl!

4) Side Dishes

When serving such culinary greatness as this menu, it is recommended that side dishes are kept to a minimum in order not to distract from the delights on the plates. Therefore, these three options are ideal.

a) Basket of Bread

Freshly baked and full of flavour, this bread is as bread should be – crispy and golden on the outside, doughy and white on the inside. Perfect with butter, dipped in soup, or even to mop up gravy, place in the centre of the table for guests to take as they please.

b) Fresh Green Salad

With or without dressing, this salad is a free-for-all to take as little or as much as they want. Ensure small plates are given with other plates for this purpose. Perfect for refreshing the palate between meals.

c) Coral Salt And Pepper Shakers

Alright, TECHNICALLY not an appetizer, but still an absolute necessity for any dinner party. Whilst you may believe your seasoning is perfect, everyone has their own preferences and tastes and they should certainly not have to embarrass themselves by asking for shakers. This particular design is pretty yet understated, and can be a nice feature without dominating the table and screaming ‘look! Your host can’t season!’.

5) Entrée

Ah, the entrée. The most important part of the entire meal. This course is the course that could make or break your gathering. Get it right, your guests will probably be willing to overlook any other small mishaps, but get it wrong and the whole night could turn into a disaster. Therefore, I have selected the most exquisite and tasty ingredients and dishes for this important meal.

a) Heavenly Roast Turkey

As the name suggests, this is no ordinary turkey. Every part is succulent and crisp, and your guests will be pleading for another slice, another leg, another bite! Its rich colour, thin, tasty wafer-like wings and accompaniment of fruity stuffing makes it a true winner. Carve with pride.

b) Cosmic Broccoli

Not just broccoli. Cosmic broccoli.

Enough said.

c) Potatoes and Gravy

A classic component in any roast dinner, these potatoes are smooth, creamy, and of course lump free. The gravy is thick yet light, with a tender flavour that emphasises the pure tastiness of the turkey.

d) Baby Carrots

Ensure these are not cooked too much; to do these teeny weeny, sweet little carrots justice they need a little bit of bite to them. Leave the green shoots on for added character and cuteness.

6) Dessert

Dessert is a dish that needs to pull out all the stops. For a good pud, you need a dish that is impressive, breathtaking, and beautiful. Oh, and tasty too! The ideal dessert is something quick to prepare, yet intricate looking and very tasty. People can be very particular when it comes to dessert, so I have chosen three possibilities. All are fantastic, so pick your favourite!

a) Sparkling Mint Dessert

My personal favourite. Air whipped and light, this mousse melts in the mouth after fizzing and sparkling on your spoon. Very pretty and creamy with a hint of mint, a perfect end to a perfect evening.

b) Fruity Shaved Ice

Sorbet, flavoured ice, syrup and cherries – what more could you ask for? This dessert is a triumph, and will look very impressive when brought out on a huge silver platter. Serve it quickly, though – if it melts, you will have a mighty disaster on your hands.

c) Chocolate Lime Pudding

Almost everyone’s a sucker for chocolate, so it’s good to fit that into your party somehow! Beautifully presented - thick chocolate cake studded with livid green candied lime, and a real taste explosion too.

7) Tea & Coffee

Now, after that beautiful meal, it’s time to let the food settle in your guests’ stomachs. Take them through to a more informal setting, the lounge perhaps, and play some relaxing music in the background (The Neopian Philharmonic is a good choice). Then, bring out the teapot and coffeepot and get that chat flowing again.

a) Earl Grey Tea

A refreshing, heady tea perfect for those who don’t like coffee.

b) House Blend Coffee

This coffee is beautifully blended with spices such as cinnamon and lashings of brown sugar, cream and freshly ground coffee beans, served with crisp almond biscuits. Fragrant and delicious.

8) Cheese and Biscuits

Ah, the piece de résistance! Every meal needs a good plate of strong cheese and tasty biscuits to finish. The perfect way to top off a perfect evening.

a) Fancy Cheese Platter

Presentation is a very important part to any successful dinner party. Therefore, this creamy, tangy cheese is perfect when coated with beautiful nutty oats and served on this exquisitely painted platter.

b) Neo Crackers

Alright, alright, they may be basic but Neo Crackers are the foundations of cheese and biscuits. When you have a cheese as tasty as the one above, it is a sin to overpower it with fancy-pants crackers. There is nothing better than the slightly salty, crumbly deliciousness of Neo Crackers. Just remember to take them out of the fraying old sack and put them on a pretty plate.

c) Organic Green Grapes

Not only are these grapes you are serving with your cheese, they are ORGANIC grapes. Organic GREEN grapes. It’s good to be specific in this business. Trust me.

9) Décor & Presentation

The way you decorate your home and yourself is extremely important to your guests. What sort of dinner party would it be if the paramount of decoration was a dog eared napkin with a questionable stain on it? A failed one, that’s what sort. So, ensure you follow these instructions and all will be fine.

a) Snazzy Moon Comb

A simple brush through your hair/fur/other with this comb will make you look as dapper as can be. A small detail that will make a big difference. Just ensure you don’t comb in the kitchen!

b) Black Osiris Plate

The way your food is presented is another important step. On this pretty black plate, even your Grandma’s cabbage will look bright and colourful, and the subtle golden embossing adds a sense of royalty to the evening.

c) Sweet Scented Centerpiece

Lovely. It’s the only word to describe this. A candy scented pretty vase of flowers at the centre of your table is a certain way to bring a good atmosphere to the evening.

d) Bowl Of Shiny Decorations

Another gorgeous centrepiece. Modern and minimalist, these balls will reflect the glow of happy faces all night.

e) Asparagus String Lights

A perfect way to break the ice, these unusual party lights are certainly one way of bringing people’s minds around to food.

10) Doggy Bag

What is a dinner party without something to take home? As the evening ends, all your guests will be secretly hoping for a slice of that Heavenly Turkey to eat at work or school the next day for their lunch. So you’ve GOT to give it to them!

a) Left-Over Turkey Sandwich

Ask your guests what part of the turkey they like best. Sneak to the kitchen, throw a sandwich together with a bit of lettuce and mayonnaise, and voila! The perfect doggy bag. Your guests will be ever so grateful, and it is a dinner party that will be remembered for years to come.

So there you go. My detailed, comprehensive and frankly Brilliant guide to throwing the perfect dinner party. Happy munching!