Parties are especially abundant during the holiday season, but they also don't need a special occasion to happen. Sometimes, it's just the desire to gather all your friends and family under one roof that brings a party about.

In the Philippines, where food plays a big part in gatherings and get-togethers, dinner parties are particularly popular. With that in mind, we've listed down five tips every hostess should definitely heed. Though we can't promise success for your shindig, we can help you out with some aspects you might tend to overlook.

Browse through the gallery for five things to keep in mind when hosting a dinner party.

(Photo from Julie & Julia courtesy of Columbia Pictures)