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Dinner parties can be easy relaxed gatherings, or they can mean donning the black tie, coat and tails.

They may make a perfect setting to impress the new boss, or the in-laws with your social skills. Even informal dinners have a lot of details to take care of if you want a really successful evening.

There's table settings, seating arrangements, what food and wine to serve and decorating the table to look fancy without blocking everyone's view - or worse, interfering with the food being passed!

Just up ahead, check more top tips on hosting a great dinner party at expert sites offering creative ideas on decorating, seating, etiquette, recipes and more ...

More about dinner parties around the Web:

How to Plan a Dinner Party - Ideas, hints and suggestions for invitations, menus, table settings, the serving order of each course, and more detailed information for organizing an elegant, formal dinner party.

Linda's Dinner Party Menus and Recipes - A great collection of ideas complete with courses, recipes, and photos including multiple-course and family style dinners, high teas, what to do for unexpected company, plus barbecues, special get-togethers, buffet and party safety hints, dining etiquette and advice on menu planning.

Entertainment Experts - Dinner Parties - A huge cache of related articles from the UK featuring tips and how-to's on menu planning, table setting, food shopping & wine selection, plus a variety of ideas for dinner party themes.

$100 Dinner Party for 10 People - Story article from Food & Wind Magazine with advice for putting on the Ritz on the cheap, along with wine suggestions and related stories on how to prepare food for a crowd on a budget.

Dinner Parties - Pages full of simple and elegant recipes to cater to the vegetarians or vegans on your guest list including instructions for vegetable lasagna, lentil and tahini cutlets, vegetarian noodle patties and more.

Etiquette - Fascinating take on the rules of behavior at the table, a party, social gathering, wedding or funeral with specific guidelines for Food Passed at Dinner Table, What to Bring the Host, and Cocktail Party Attire for Men and Women and lots more.