How to Throw a Virtual German Dinner Party

I really do love being at home. But that love for being at home only really works if I have something to look forward to, like getting together with friends and family... and in this time in our lives, that isn't something that can be accomplished 😔. But I'm always up for a good challenge!!  

Right now all of us, even us home-bodies are experiencing a level of isolation that we're not used to. Finding a way to connect with friends in an attempt to find some sort of normalcy in life is important as this time of social distancing continues. We need to take care of our health physically as well as mentally.

So, I think it's time to have a virtual German Dinner party—an idea I love because it’s something we can all look forward to and get to spend time with good friends while being apart.

You may be asking... how exactly do you pull this off? It starts out just like a regular ol' dinner party.

• Decide who we are going to invite.
• Pick a date and a time.
• Send out invitations.
• Decide what Dirndl you are going to wear!

Once you've done that, it's time to figure out what German food we're going to eat. Here are some ideas:

1. Will everyone eat the same thing? Cook the same food at home? Follow the same recipes? You can all prepare your own meals and come together to eat them.
2. Order out from a local restaurant! It’s easy and a great way to support your local small businesses. If you live near each other, you can order from the same place as if you were really eating there together.
3. If you live near your invitees, you could do a potluck: Everyone cooks one course, then delivers it to everyone's front door with re-heating instructions.

Whichever method you choose, you'll all be eating at the same time just like we would if everyone were in the same place! My go-tos for German recipes are Dirndl Kitchen or Just Like Oma. And if you are in Chicago, check out Laschet's Inn or Himmel's for German Food pick-up.

Another thing to consider is what kind of German beverages you'll be drinking! Are you going to do a beer tasting? German wines? If you're like me (8 months pregnant... maybe ein alkoholfreies Bier or some type of Saft (juice) with sparkling water.

Most times when we have dinner parties with our friends, we end with an after-dinner schnapps. Clearly this isn’t essential but it is a nice way to cap the evening... so are you going to have an Obstler, Kabanes, Pflaumeflimm?

Don't forget your outfit! This is the perfect time to bust out your dirndl and/or lederhosen. Grab the Edelweiss jewelry and maybe even your hat!   

But we’re not done yet. If it’s a dinner party, you have to set the table and create a good German atmosphere the same way you would if your friends were actually coming over. Think about the flowers, plates, glassware, decor, etc. If you wanted to end in a polka or dance party, check out some of my favorite German playlists! 

Perhaps you schedule your German dinner party for this Saturday night at 7:30! When you send out the e-invitation, be sure to include a Zoom invitation or other virtual meeting app link so everyone can all be on the screen at the same time. Zoom is free but you do have to download the application for your computer or mobile device. (And there is a 40 min time limit, but you can just restart another "meeting").  

What are you doing to try and maintain normality during these odd times in history? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments. And if you throw a German Dinner Party, can you take pictures and share them using #RareDirndlSquad. Everyone needs inspiration!

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