The party gets started with good sangria, the Gipsy Kings pulsing from your iPod and a table full of Spanish tapas. Tapas, which are little plates of delicious goodness, are a crowd-pleaser, creating a laid-back vibe that will inspire your guests to mingle. The key to a tapas party is setting the scene with a gorgeous theme of deep reds reflected in the tablecloth and flowers along with lots of candles. A generous variety of visually beautiful food served on an assortment of small plates will pull your party together.

The party gets started with good sangria, the Gipsy Kings pulsing from your iPod and a table full of Spanish tapas. Tapas, which are little plates of delicious goodness, are a crowd-pleaser, creating a laid-back vibe that will inspire your guests to mingle. The key to a tapas party is setting the scene with a gorgeous theme of deep reds reflected in the tablecloth and flowers along with lots of candles. A generous variety of visually beautiful food served on an assortment of small plates will pull your party together. As a host, tapas night is one of the most enjoyable dinners since the food is laid on the table right before guests arrive. Also, there’s no need to be a hero and make everything from scratch. In fact a number of items, such as the croquettes—little fried balls filled with everything from potatoes and cheese to codfish—are best outsourced from your local restaurant. Pre-prep is key to making tapas seamless. The only work you’ll need to do is clear the tables for dancing later in the night after the sangria has set in.