It's been a nice weekend. Got in lot's of flea marketing, lunch at the tea room, dinner at Oceans Zen, ordering new cabinets, and searching for an apron front sink. Took a two and half hour nap yesterday and woke up in time to watch two hours of AFV and two more hours of Extreme Home Makeover with the kids. Yes, very nice weekend indeed!
I was thinking about what I would post yesterday, and I came up with the idea that everyone (including myself) could improve their hostess skills in some way or another. So I will share with you the different things that I have learned either in books or by doing it wrong the first time.
Some things that I've read I totally disagree with, as you might disagree with some of the things that you read here. And some things on the other hand, have totally saved my life.
First and foremost, it is indeed so true that first impressions are everything, and I mean from the very first minute. I believe that the way you greet a guest at the door, gives them either the immediate feeling of being comfortable and relaxed or instantly ill at ease and uncomfortable.
Answer the door yourself if at all possible. Nothing is more awkward than all your kids running to the door and opening it, then having no clue what to say. So you guests are standing on the front porch feeling about as awkward as a human can feel.
Invite them in and show the kids where the fun is, then bring them into the kitchen with you and have some snacks and glasses of ice on the island. So they instantly feel as if they are at home in your home.
Ask questions about them and their day.
Don't hesitate to give the wife a job. I guarantee that she will feel more comfortable if she has something to occupy her hands.
Make sure that you've already prepared anything that might be time consuming or stressful, so that while you're visiting, you're not doing anything more than tossing a salad or frosting a cake.
This way you are able to concentrate on conversation and your guests instead of the gravy that won't thicken, or the chicken that won't finish getting done.
As for the table, my favorite is to put the kids in one spot, either another table or on a blanket in the playroom. This will cut down on the chaos, and also the stress of either you or your company being afraid that your children will misbehave.
Set the table with your nice things, but not so nice that the feeling is too formal. You want your company to feel that they are special without you looking pretentious. Try three small vases of beautiful flowers in the center. Not so tall that you can't see each other, but enough to bring some cheer to the table.
Candles can certainly be nice, but again sometimes too formal.
I would suggest saving the nicest china and candles for an adult dinner party. I've always wanted to have one, but just never quite gotten around to it. Ah well, there will be many years ahead to have adult only dinner parties.
Now as far as clean up goes, I read this wonderful tip in a coupon book funnily enough. Be sure that you keep a sink full of hot sudsy water and let your dishes be soaking (of course after you have already run the dishwasher so it can be ready to fill later) while you're eating. Then after dinner, get up and put the food away and all the dishes in the sink. Unless of course your guest is gracious enough to offer to help clean up, then jump on that opportunity. But if not, then while your visiting, you're not worrying about the food rotting, or the plates getting all dry and nasty.
Put on a pot of coffee, and serve dessert down in the living room. This just seems to feel a little more inviting then sitting at the table all night.
Remember that your goal is to make your guest feel special and at home. Do whatever you can think of to accomplish this goal. Keep things real for them. The more real you are the more relaxed you will be and there by making your company feel more relaxed.
One more little thing that should have been put at the beginning. Avoid using your guests as guinea pigs for first time recipes. Be sure that you're using a tried and true menu to avoid any embarrassing trips to Cheddars. Speaking from experience:-(
That about wraps it up for today. Hope you enjoy reading this and hope it helps you in even a little way. Enjoy the snow folks. All to soon it will be scorching hot with the blazing sun shining and you will miss the quiet days of fluffy whiteness sifting down to the cold earth.
Bye for now!
Great ideas!
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