For A Good Cause: Some Pointers On Hosting Dinner Parties

Lines of traffic, long waits, and close quarters—dinner parties in the Hamptons can often be more exhausting than enjoyable in the height of summer.

The solution? Look no further than your own backyard, says professional event planner and author Annie Falk. Her new book, “Hamptons Entertaining,” combines recipes and decorating tips from some of the area’s well-known families for those looking to beat the crowds and avoid a hefty restaurant tab.

“For me, entertaining at home adds a level of intimacy that you don’t get in a restaurant,” said Ms. Falk, who has been spending her summers in Southampton for more than 20 years, and lives in Palm Beach, Florida, the rest of the year.

“It really solidifies friendship. I know when I’m invited to someone’s home, you meet their kids or their parents or their pet and you get to know them on an entirely different level than if you were invited to a restaurant.”

Friendship also helped the book come to fruition, Ms. Falk said, explaining she had previously been a guest of many of the families profiled in “Hamptons Entertaining,” and admired their entertaining style.

Families with young children, like Cynthia Sulzberger—daughter of New York Times Publisher Arthur Ochs Sulzberger—and her husband, Steven Green, may lean toward a more casual style, while others may opt for a formal dinner.

“The Sulzbergers have young children and a beautiful dog and their house is very open and everyone is taking part,” said Ms. Falk. “I think Cindy’s style mimics the one she grew up with. It’s very relaxed.”

In contrast, former New York City mayor and presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani and his wife, Judith, host a more formal dinner.

“They don’t have children, and I really think it depends on where people are at different stages in their life,” said Ms. Falk. “Everyone is different, and one of the most important things when you start hosting parties at home is learning how to do what you’re comfortable with.”

For a July Fourth celebration, for example, the typical American flag scheme, while appropriate, can be obvious and overdone, so Ms. Falk recommends trying a fresh take on red, white, and blue.

“One year, as a jumping off point for the rest of my décor, I found this Ralph Lauren fabric that was red, white and blue, but it had a very Asian feel to it,” she said. “So I really used the Asian feel as an inspiration for the rest of my décor.”

Other options are to choose one color as the main theme, and add “pops” of accent color.

Looking to save on an entertaining budget? Turning to wildflowers and nature for table décor can be very pleasing both aesthetically and for the wallet.

“You can cut hydrangeas from your own backyard and they look beautiful on a table,” said Ms. Falk. “Also, buying local flowers from a grocery store, instead of a florist, and arranging your own bouquet gives you some variety and it’s still less expensive.”

Sand and seashells are also inexpensive—as in, free—alternatives as centerpieces and give a table a more relaxed feel. They also pay homage to the South Fork’s beauty—which was Ms. Falk’s inspiration for the book.

All of the proceeds from “Hamptons Entertaining” will be donated to the Peconic Baykeeper, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the integrity of local waterways.