Sporks Anyone? Dinner Parties With an Edge

Use Sporks Instead of Normal Utensils: Why waste three seconds picking up a fork after dealing with its sibling, the spoon. Sporks were put on this earth for a reason—to be loved. Try the Light My Fire brand sporks. Designed by Joachim Nordwall, they are efficient, ergonomically comfortable, and even include a serrated edge that acts like a knife. Maybe we should call it a sporknife? Choose from 19 colors, and when ordered in bulk, special theme packages exist like "combat" (green and gray) and "bistro" (your mod red and black). It's a fun party favor too.

Play Food Songs: There are way too many songs with food references. From Run DMC ("One day when I was chillin' in Kentucky Fried Chicken") to Def Leopard ("Pour some sugar on me"). Or you can make a mix of bands with food-minded names, even if they don't actually sing about food, like Cake, Meat Loaf, Smashing Pumpkins, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

Make It a Potluck: Potlucks just make perfect sense during this bad economy. Forcing others to help you cater your own party is totally acceptable. But have a plan: you take control of the main dish (even if it's just burgers) and ask guests to handle sides. Or for a fun sandwich-themed meal, you buy fresh-baked bread, and they bring cold cuts and various nut butters. While noshing, make everyone go around the room and give one fact about their contribution. Just stay clear of any of these foods, AKA foods that will help you lose friends.

Moustache Napkin Rings: Fuzzy upper lips are big right now. So much that you should set the table with them—at least ones that aren't made of real hair. Buy a set of four for $24 at moderndose.com. Since they're also mini chalkboards, they double as placecards.

Play a Food-Themed Video Game After: After you're so stuffed, you don't want to look at another piece of real food, play with the virtual version. Put Mario Brothers away for a second to have simulate chopping motions on: Major League Eating, Iron Chef America, Cake Mania, Hell's Kitchen, Dishwashing Champion, or Cooking Mama World Kitchen. Best part: you don't have to wash the dishes after.

If you want something more relaxing after dinner, screen one of these movies that contain the top food scenes in film.