Gathering and enjoying a meal with your favourite people is a great way to encourage connection – especially at the moment. We’re loving themed dinner parties, like an Around the World theme, because they add another layer of fun and novelty to the evening. This blog will cover how to throw an all-American dinner party at your home with some clever hosting hacks. Think juicy burgers, drinks in red tumbler cups, tricky trivia, and DIY s’more making around the fire pit. With all products available in one easy location – your local Stockland centre.  

Prepare the dinner party  

Getting creative during the planning stages of your dinner party is often half the fun. And when you throw in a few quirky DIY hacks and easy styling ideas, setting the scene for an exciting American-themed evening can be oh-so-simple. Start by picking up these key pieces from your local Stockland centre: a red checked table cloth and paper tumblers from Big W, a blue table runner from Bed Bath N’ Table, some festoon lights and ‘candy’ jar (for a centrepiece) from Kmart, and a handy serving board from House or Robins Kitchen. A portable fire pit will also be handy for making s’mores later in the evening. Speaking of s’mores, Coles has a pre-made s’more making kit. Delish!  

The little touches  

In the days leading up to the dinner party, be sure to put together an all-American Spotify playlist to create a fun and welcoming atmosphere. Top tip: if you don’t have the songs added to your everyday Spotify algorithm, be sure to set the playlist to ‘private session’. And because the good vibes will still be rolling after dinner, be sure to set up a few cosy camp-chair seats with throw blankets around the fire pit so you can make some ooey-gooey s’mores together to round out the night.  

A take-home gift  

Create lasting memories with your nearest-and-dearest by picking up a polaroid camera from your local Stockland centre and snapping a picture of your guests when they arrive. Then grab a sharpie and write the date on the front for the perfect take-home gift. Your guests can then keep in their wallet or purse to remember your all-American dinner party long after the evening is over.  

A DIY place-setting passport 

This has to be one of our favourite DIY dinner party hacks because it includes three customisable elements, in one. Try creating your own setting passports that serve as a name card for your guests, a trivia booklet, and a menu. Create your own trivia questions so you can quiz the table and test their all-American knowledge. 

Here are some example true or false questions to get you started:

1. There are 25 states in America. 

2. Puerto Rico is part of the United States.

3. The hot dog is the national dish of America.

4. America was the first country in the world to use postcards. 

5. The first president was named Abraham

6. There were three astronauts on the first moon landing.

7. The national animal is a buffalo.

8. Universal Pictures is the oldest American film studio. 

The menu  

Starters  

You can't go past some chicken wings for the ultimate starter. Serve these air-fried chicken wings, a few small bowls of buttery popcorn, and some American-inspired drinks to pour into the red tumblers. Your guests will be smiling from ear-to-ear! 

Main 

This steak burger recipe are sure to fill tummies and have everyone feeling satisfied. You could even go one further and create a DIY burger-making bar so your guests can add whatever they please.  

Dessert 

You can’t throw an all-American dinner party without including some of their deliciously-famous sweet treats. Try our New York Cheesecake with Raspberries. And don’t forget the s’mores!   

Plus, if you have no time to cook, there are so many takeaway and delivery options available from the Stockland food court retailers. You’ll be spoilt for choice! 

Turning your dinner party into an all-American success story is easy with these clever DIY tips and hacks. Organise one of your own soon, connect with your loved ones, and feel inspired with your local Stockland centre.  
 

TRIVIA ANSWERS:  

1. False – there are 50 
2. True 
3. No – the national food is a cheese/hamburger  
4. False – it was Austria  
5. False – it was George  
6. True – Neil Armstong, Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin and Michael Collins  
7. False – it’s the Bald Eagle  
8. True! 

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