I’ve been throwing parties for many years and get asked all the time for some of my top dinner party hosting tips. I’ve wracked my brain to come up with some of my top tips (and even a handy 2-3 week timeline) so that you can stress less the next time you’re hosting an event.

There’s a fascinating psychological concept known as the IKEA Effect, the idea that people place higher value on things they’ve helped create, even if they’re imperfect. Just like assembling a piece of IKEA furniture creates a sense of ownership and pride (despite a few leftover screws!), involving your guests in small, meaningful ways at a dinner party has the same magic.