Planning a Great Multi-Cultural Dinner Party

When it comes to planning a dinner party or any kind of multi-family celebration, it may be tempting to stay within the comfort realm and plan "safe" foods like meat, vegetables, and potatoes, with a "safe" dessert like cake or pie. Perhaps you're worried that guests wouldn't appreciate a unique flair. Take a moment to consider a celebration out of the ordinary where exotic and unusual foods are served and guests will actually applaud you for it! If it's done just right, your celebration can be the talk of the town.

If You Have the Time, Plan For Easter and Passover

Easter and Passover, two major holidays for the Christian and Jewish faiths respectively, are arriving soon. Take this time to consider a multi-faith and/or multi-cultural dinner party (or any kind of party for those who don't want dinner to be the main attraction). These two faiths are not the only ones that could be involved; the world is the limit. There can be various dishes; Hindu favorites alongside traditional Jewish dishes, resting next to Easter pastries. The idea is to meld cultures together, allowing people to sample foods they wouldn't normally try and to study world views they're not familiar with.

Make Sure Everyone's Faith is Respected

The first big roadblock is keeping your guests' dietary restrictions in mind. For example, those of the Jewish and Muslim faiths do not eat ham or pork. If Christian attendees would enjoy ham, make sure it is available to them but is not a mandatory part of the meal. If some guests are fasting, make sure to pay attention to this and make the party enjoyable for them despite circumstances. Each guest should try whatever he or she would like without feeling that their faith is compromised.

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