In my last post, I blogged about how hosts can unwittingly set a negative tone for their party. Here are a few easy tips on how you can set a warm and welcoming tone for your guests when you are hosting casual entertaining in your home.
1. Since habitually running behind schedule can throw your timing and your schedule completely off, the remedy is simple. Just a bit of organization can keep all of your planning and preparation on track. The result? A host that is not frazzled and exhausted as the guests arrive. For example:
a. When you plan a get-together, give yourself 2-3 days for preparation. That might sound like a lot to you in our instant microwave world, but it is so well-worth the effort. You won’t be exhausted and you will have the chance to fix any mistakes you might make.
b. When you do some of your entertaining preparation a day or two before your dinner party, you will have time to get dressed and ready a couple of hours before guests arrive. Turn on the music, light the candles and take a deep breath. Remember, you are giving a gift to your guests of delicious food and warm friendship.
c. When guests arrive, make sure you greet each one and make introductions. Get a beverage in their hands and help guests who might not know each other well get acquainted. Offer a conversation starter such as something guests might have in common or something interesting from their lives. For instance, you could say, “Mary, I would like you to meet John.” “John, Mary was born in your birthplace, New York City.” Chances are, they will start chatting away about New York City and what is was like to grow up there and where exactly they each were born, etc. You get the picture. These attempts can encourage the start of a conversation for guests who are unfamiliar with each other and avoid the awkwardness that can be felt by guests who are new to your gathering. This sets a friendly tone for your party.
d. Lastly, you want your guests to feel of all the way you could be spending your time, being with them on that particular occasion is exactly where you prefer to be.
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