It requires a lot of experience and some serious patience to become a graceful hostess. A good girlfriend of mine currently gives us all a run for our money, and I admire her talent and her skills. Let's review a few helpful tips for throwing a great dinner or cocktail party and enjoying it, too.
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- Be prepared for early guests!
- When hosting a party, ambiance counts. I like soft lighting, candles, and it's best if the music serves to accent conversation, not overwhelm everyone
- Flowers are always a nice tough to make your home look fresh and cozy
- Being a hostess takes a lot of work. Catering to your guests, and taking care of the food and the drinks gets overwhelming here and there. Stay calm and collected. Take a 5-minute break in the bathroom if you need to center and ground yourself
- Provide an assortment of beverages for your guests, including enough water and non-alcoholic choices, and stock up. When the drinks disappear, so do the guests
- Introduce guests to each other. If you're secretly playing matchmaker, be very sly but do help spark their conversation
- Set aside a place for coats. You don't want the couch turned into an eyesore in the middle of the room
- Assign little jobs to your partner or good friend. This way you can concentrate on your guests' needs, facilitate introductions and not become overwhelmed. Delegate. Delegate. Delegate
- Provide appetizers, no matter the occasion. A simple cheese plate on the coffee table will suffice
- If you're hosting a dinner party, keep the cocktail hour short and sensible. Disasters follow excessive drinking before a meal
- Parties should be fun for everyone, including you. Let the little things go and delight in the company of your friends and family
Enjoy your weekend, ladies!
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