I threw a dinner party last night, the first time I had cooked for more than two since March. It was a trial run, just one other couple, and I called it for a night that the weather would cooperate for easy outdoor dining. Here are the socially acceptable practices that made it work, little tips and tricks I’ll use again as the summer stretches out.

For hors d’oeuvres I eliminated everything communal: no more bowls of chips and dip. No more slice-your-own cheese. Instead everyone got a little espresso plate with 3 crackers and a couple of olives. A central cutting board held cheese, already sliced, each piece pierced with a toothpick. In this vein I can also imagine serving cured meats, smoked mussels, or anything else that can be skewered. I can see toothpicks will be my friend this season.
I plated the dinner in the kitchen, and carried the dishes to our outdoor dining table. No more family style, which is the way I usually serve. The change actually forced me to prepare more precise quantities rather than my usual too-much. Each person got two soft shell crabs, a side of rice pilaf, a tong-full of dressed salad greens, and a half dozen asparagus spears. Everyone ate everything on their plates, no one seeming too hungry or too full.
Each couple sat together at opposite ends of the table. We took off our masks to eat and talk. As the night grew darker we pushed back from the table which created more space as we talked over candle light and more wine. Citronella candles: clearly another friend.
Speaking of the wine: We kept it on ice outside and designated one person the pourer for the evening. In the old days it would have been Help Yourself, but now the fewer people touching the same surface the better.
Dessert was brought by my guests, a flourless chocolate cake that was sprung from its springform at the table, sliced and served on more small plates (BFF!).
Indoors wasn’t off limits but our guests minimized their time in the house. In the bathroom we replaced cloth towels with disposables, and added liquid soap and hand sanitizer.

I can see the summer before me and it makes me smile. More guests, more dinners, more strategies for safe and smart socializing to reveal themselves as we go.