Hostess with the Mostess

I'm preparing to go visit my grandparents in Michigan and it makes me think obviously of my grandmother. She is literally the quint essential hostess. She has the old school conservative mindset. She still calls a purse a pocketbook and a couch a davenport. True story. I love my grandma but she always kicks it into high gear when guests are coming over. She taught my mom a lot of great tricks who then taught me, and now ... I pass them on to you! Now I admit, my grandma, if she ever read this, would say I'm not doing hostessing justice. But the reality is, we all can't keep house like she can. When was the last time we scrubbed baseboards? But there are a few things to make having people over more of a joy than a chore.
First of all, if you're anything like me you HATE cleaning and put it off til well ... forever. But when people are over we want them to feel comfortable and people don't feel comfortable around dustballs and clutter. Just being honest here. So this is what I've learned er well rather TRAINED myself to do. I schedule events as far out as possible. That way I know the week before the event I need to start cleaning or about 5 days ahead of time. This sounds ridiculous but bare with me! I start with the bigger things like tidying the guest room. Most of us have them and we usually use them for junk storage. I have a teeny tiny house, so when I have people over I am prepared to use every square inch of my 1,400 sq ft! Plus, my guest room has the only other bathroom in the house ... so you know ... that factors in. I pick up and put anyway anything out of order in there. Then I move on to our room - put away clothes and shoes, bags, things that have been strewn about carelessly. I hit up my daughters room tidy what I can and call it a day. The next day, I do the same thing with the basement, finish any laundry, put that away, fold blankets etc. Day 3, I'm onto the harder things, cleaning the kitchen well. Getting caught up on any stacks of dishes, wiping down the counters very well (especially under that dang microwave!). I also clean out the fridge to make room. Day 4, I'm onto dusting, cleaning the office, emptying trash bins etc. I try to clean the bathrooms this day as well. Sometimes I don't make it til the day of. I'm also usually making my final trips to the store(s). Picking up the last minute things I forgot or didn't know I needed on my first 4 trips. Then day 5 (which I always want to be the day before the party but is usually the day of!) I finish things like, the dishes that accumulated in the kitchen, vacuuming, and putting away every day things - toys, dog stuff etc. I usually save mopping for last, because unless it's REALLY bad, no one will notice and guests come in with their shoes on anyway. I must note that there are many many other things that need to be done, however these are the basics! Not to mention the day to day activities it takes to run this ship. So basically, when you break down all your tasks, it typically seems easier, less stressful and gets done faster than when you save them all up for the day before.
When your guests arrive. Don't feel bad if you're still running around filling ice, grabbing chairs or doing what some people might think are crazy things. There honestly is no way to be a "good host" and take it easy. Well ... at least not if your my mom - who always eats when everyone else is ready for dessert. But preparedness can help. Getting the most amount done ahead of time saves hassle and headache. But the bottomline is, if you still have last minute things to be done while guests are arriving, no need to apologize. Greet them, then say excuse me I have a few things to finish up. They'll make themselves comfortable, and if you have a significant other, a child, pet, or all three, they'll have their own entertainment!
Try to plan on having some fingery food out for when your guests arrive, or shortly there after. People come to parties hungry, it's just what we do. Have your beverages ready too! Things like crackers or chips can be displayed easily and beautifully. Open chips from the bottom - yeah you heard me, the bottom of the bag! That way when you dump them into their bowl, all the crums are on the bottom and your chips look like a commercial! It's not a big thing, but people will pry notice even if they don't say anything. Crackers same rule applies, unless they are accompanied by cheese and or meat, in which case they look the best on a plate. It won't take long to scatter some neat Triscuit or wheat things next to cubes of cheese. Looks lovely and delicious. (Look for more AWESOME easy party recipes in a later issue!) If you are serving a meal, wait until you feel most of your guests have arrived and are comfortable, then start the main meal. Depending on what you are having service of the food should correspond. If you have a large home and a small party, eat around a table(s), big party and smaller home, set up "eating stations." Place TV trays (or snack stands) periodically throughout your house, and use card tables where applicable. People feel most comfortable eating at a table. If that much room isn't available, you may want to serve foods that are easy to eat. That way if people can't get to a table, they can still figure out how to down that dog.
And finally, remember to have fun with your guests! If they never see you or get to talk to you at your own party, it won't be as much fun! PS Clean up can happen when all your guests leave. Tend to them first, worry about your house later!
Have fun and enjoy your next gathering! (Look for a second edition with more details on how to WOW your friends!)