Informal Entertaining

One of the most important facets in one's social life is knowing how to entertain. Whether you live in a one-room apartment, a condominium or on a mansion, the spirit of entertaining is the same. It is simply giving pleasure to others.

To know how to entertain well is a gift. It is also one of the most creative pursuits we carry out in our lives. Possessing wealth does not necessarily ensure being a good host, because affluence has nothing to do with the desire to please others, to be warm and welcoming and to be at ease with people.

Entertaining is not easy. Attention to detail, a continuing awareness of how the party is progressing and how the guests are feeling requires constant alertness. This does not mean that one should be nervous flitting like a bird in frenetic useless activity, but it does mean keeping a quiet eye on all details. It is no contradiction to say that you can work hard at your party and still enjoy it tremendously.

If the host or hostess plan well in advance and look into the most minute details, then the party will be a success.  Whether a trained staff passes platters of hors d' oeuvres, or guests help themselves, what matters is the spirit and atmosphere of real warmth in the home.

     Invitations are usually telephoned or are written on informal stationary. The wife usually does the inviting but on occasion for convenience sake, her husband may do so. It is also nice to explain briefly what event it is and what type of evening you have planned.  If either one of the invited couple can't make it then the wife should say so and regret for them both immediately, in case the two of them can't come. This gives the hosts the option to invite another couple.

Invitations to dinner should not be treated lightly as the hosts  are obviously going to considerable trouble and expense. Guests should not disappoint them at the last minute without a believable excuse such as illness.

No guest should be allowed to arrive without being greeted. Either host or hostess should station themselves near the front door in order to greet each guest with a warm handshake, a peck on the cheek and a verbal greeting.

A late comer enters the dining room as quietly as possible, goes briefly to the hostess, makes an apology and sits immediately in the indicated pace. If the late one is a woman, the man to her left rises, or semi-rises to seat her. Any long explanation of the reason for the lateness is uncalled for and should never draw in the others at the table. The hostess no matter how she really feels about it, always minimizes the inconvenience to the late-comer as well as to the other guests.

Lastly, regardless of the preparation and outcome, a guest should always show appreciation and give thanks to the host and hostess.