Dinner party etiquette can be a minefield of trip-ups and with the Christmas party season fast approaching many will be planning intimate dinner parties.

But Damian Clarkson - manager director of A-list caterers Red Snapper Events - believes his rundown of 10 common dinner party faux-pas will help make any evening go with a swing.

The top 10 dinner party faux-pas

1. Running late
Be as prepared as possible; do as many of the kitchen preparations beforehand, leaving you free to socialise.

2. Not knowing what your guests like
You must try to cater for any dietary requirements, so ask guests - they will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

3. Airing your dirty laundry in public
Make sure the house is tidy with all washing and such items put away. No one wants to look at washing drying while they eat.

4. Guess who's coming to dinner
Finalise your guest list. Make sure you know exactly how many people are coming - and remember, having an empty seat is as bad as squeezing in one extra.

5. Hitting the bottle
Being drunk is never glamorous but a drunken host is sinful, especially when it leads to an evening not enjoyed by anyone and serving bad food. Don't be tempted by a tipple before people arrive.

6. Inviting mystery diners
Ensure you introduce people. Everyone around the table should know who they are dining with.

7. Nipping to the shop
Make sure you have food and wine to last the evening - there's little worse than leaving your own party and no guest should go home hungry or be searching for a drink.

8. Being chained to the kitchen
Although it's important to make sure the food is delicious, it's just as important to spend time with your guests. So don't spend the majority of your time back of house.

9. Be entertaining
Dinner party entertainers, such as magicians, are very old hat and just plain tacky. Spend the money instead on some extra bubbly to ignite conversation.

10. Not staying the course
Don't rush your guests out of the door at the end of the night. Even if you're exhausted, be a welcoming host until the very last guest leaves.

Tell me about Red Snapper Events
Red Snapper Events recently celebrated its fifth year at the forefront of the event and party scene. Bespoke menus are specifically tailored to every event, along with unique glassware, table designs and distinctive finishing touches, which enhance the ambience of any event.

This year the company has catered for many A-list events and worked alongside clients including Aston Martin, OK! magazine and the S. Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurant Awards. It was also the official caterer for the Ian Fleming Bond Bound Exhibition.

For more information visit Red Snapper online http://www.redsnapperevents.com