You may entertain your guests in various forms, but the most popular methods are as followed:

■Banquet

A banquet is a large public dinner or feast, which includes main courses and desserts. It usually serves a purpose, such as a charitable gathering, a celebration, or a ceremony, often preceded or followed by speeches in honor of someone. According to its purposes, banquet includes business banquet, conference banquet, holiday banquet, welcome banquet, farewell banquet, wedding banquet, etc. According to its formality, banquet covers state banquet, formal dinner, informal dinner, family dinner.

State dinner is a dinner or banquet paid by a government and hosted by a head of state in her/his official residence in order to renew and celebrate diplomatic ties between the host country and the country of a foreign head of state or head of government who was issued an invitation. In many countries throughout the world, there are many different rules governed by protocol. State dinners often include but are not restricted to black tie or white tie dress, military honor guards, a four or five course dinner, musical entertainment, dancing, and speeches made on behalf of the head of state hosting the state dinner as well as the foreign head of state.

Formal dinner: The formal dinner doesn’t begin until seven o’clock; the time normally is eight or eight-thirty. To be late is very discourteous for a guest. You should arrive at least five minutes before the hour set for the dinner. Telephone the hostess and explain the reason to her if you can not arrive on time for some unavoidable reason. If it has been impossible for you to notify her and she has started the meal after having waited the required fifteen minutes after the hour set, go to her, offer apologies, and take your seat at the table as quickly as possible. The tardy guest begins with the course that is then being served.

Informal dinner parties are easy to plan, and you don’t require the same rigid set of rules that you need to follow for formal dinner parties. Informal dinners can be planned in much less time and don’t need to give your guests as much notice as with a formal dinner. It is also appropriate to just call your guests or even send them an email invitation, although you can mail invitations.

A family dinner is a social gathering at which people have dinner together, usually in the host’s home.

■Reception

Reception is a party, especially one intended to provide a greeting or welcome. There are different kinds of receptions, such as cocktail party, buffet reception, tea party, coffee party, etc.

A cocktail party is a largely informal social gathering normally featuring mixed drinks, light refreshments and an intimate guest list. While enjoying a variety of mixed drinks served by the host or a professional bartender, guests at a cocktail party are encouraged to intermingle. Especially if the guests have already made other dinner plans or are planning to meet later in the evening, an informal cocktail party may be an alternative to a formal reception or full dinner party. A cocktail party may include a variety of finger foods, or light snacks. However, the primary focus is generally on cocktails, good conversation and music, not on the food. A good cocktail party host should supply a selection of soft drinks and non-alcoholic versions of popular cocktails to assigned drivers and those who choose not to drink alcohol for personal or religious reasons.

A buffet is a system of serving meals in which food is placed in a public area and diners usually serve themselves. It is a popular way for feeding a large number of people with minimal staff. Buffets are offered at various places, such as hotels and many social events. Because they may be used to offer the dishes of a buffet meal to guests, sideboards are also known as buffets.

Tea parties are generally characterized by the use of prestigious tableware including bone china and silver. Whatever its size or cost, the table is made to look its prettiest, with cloth napkins and matching cups and plates. In addition to tea, larger parties may serve punch or hot chocolate in cold weather. The tea is often provided with a variety of easily managed foods. Thin sandwiches including cucumber or tomato, buns, cake slices, and cookies are all common choices.