Dinner party themes are a creative way to get excited over a meal with friends and family, and as of late, people are coming up with unique decorating and menu ideas to spruce up the night. Garden soirees are a popular summer get-together where guests can dine alfresco over decadent desserts and delicate floral arrangements. Italian dinner is another clever concept, where everyone dines around a spread of the most delicious classic Italian dishes—think bruschetta bites and homemade arrabbiata sauce.

Now, we’re bringing a new theme to the table just in time for the holidays, and it is an unexpected combination of classy and practical: ‘tinis and weenies. For this playful dinner party trend, people serve martinis with a twist (pun intended).

Dinner Theme: ‘Tinis and Weenies

‘Tinis and weenies are the flavorful combination of a simple meal with a classic sip. Pairing martinis with hot dogs, hosts concoct a laid-back dinner atmosphere boasting fan-favorite meals and drinks for everyone to enjoy.

How to Decorate

Lay down the foundation with a red and white picnic tablecloth reminiscent of a backyard cookout. To add a chic touch of red to the table, tie a thin red bow around each martini glass. As for centerpiece decor, simply add flowers and candles of varying heights. Or play up the casual picnic aesthetic by scattering classic french fry baskets around the table with small bites.

If you enjoy arts and crafts, handmade invitations or menus will take your dinner party from well-planned to unforgettable and uniquely yours. Invites can be as simple as a hot dog and martini glass drawing featuring the date and time of your holiday party with RSVP information. On menus, list any starters, main courses, sweet treats, and (of course) martini selections.

What to Serve

If your crew loves to bounce around and chit-chat, consider finger foods over a sit-down meal and make pigs in a blanket or little smokies as the main course. And while hot dogs are obvious, other appetizers and bites can pair nicely with the rest of your spread. For starters, you can whip up varying dips using martini glasses as bowls. Charcuterie boards are another crowd favorite, along with your favorite cut of fries.

For the hot dogs, some like to load their franks to the top, while others may enjoy it plain. Serve the smokies as-is, and offer ketchup, mustard, relish, and any other condiments you think your guests might enjoy.

As for martinis, a make-your-own ‘tini bar is a must. Gather your favorite garnishes (olives, cocktail onions, coffee, or twists) in mini bowls so guests can customize their evening drinks. If you want to truly impress, offer 2-3 types of martinis for them to shake up themselves—think dirty martinis, espressos, or lemon drops.

End the Evening with a Sweet Treat

A meal isn’t complete without dessert. Take inspiration from the recent trend in dainty, delicately decorated heart-shaped cakes and serve an olive-decorated cake for your final course. Whether store-bought or homemade, a sweet bite will top off an evening full of ballpark bites and endless martinis.