Setting the Stage
A good host knows their guests and will take their preferences into consideration when planning the menu and libations. This effort can be as simple as having options for your vegan friends or the ingredients for a favorite cocktail or bottle of wine you and one of your guests have shared in the past. Make it personal.
When planning, make sure there are seats for all of your guests. While a good host can always find room for one more, allow for a last minute guest by basing your initial invites on your seating capacity. While I have found room for up to ten in my cozy living room, I find that six is my comfort number. Find your number and stick with it. Don’t forget to count a seat for yourself and try to stay in it and out of the kitchen as much as possible.
Once you have identified seating, think about proximity of the seats to food and drink. Does everyone have a place to comfortably set their drink? Are appetizers within reach? Try to sprinkle snacks around the room and over the course of the evening bring out several warm appetizers, (that have been prepared in advance as much as possible) pass them and then set out in an easily-accessible, central location. No matter how small, your entertaining space has zones. Identify these and make them work double duty if necessary. I have a great sideboard (one of my favorite “big girl” purchases) that actually divides my kitchen from my living room. It makes a wonderful informal bar. I set out glasses, an ice bucket (a repurposed, large tin flower pot), and bottles of whatever I am serving.
Take a look around. Feel your space. Imagine yourself walking into your home. Use all of your senses. Take a walk through all areas in which your guests will be. The intent is for your guests to feel comfortable as soon as they walk through your front door. Walk through every room that your guests will see.
The Powder Room:
~ Put away all personal products (toothbrushes, products, etc.)
~ Put out fresh towels and hand soap
~ Ensure there is plenty of toilet paper (be sure to check this throughout the evening)
~ Light a fresh scented candle (this is the only place I advocate scented candles)
~ Have a small flower arrangement
Living/Entertaining Space:
~ Ensure adequate seating for all of your guests
~ Flowers- be sure they have a mild scent (some lilies can be overpowering)
~ Music (create “cocktail” playlists for your iPod or mix cds so you can just hit play and and be set for the entire evening)
~ Set out your appetizers, spaced out throughout the room (don’t forget the cocktail napkins
or small plates)
~ Set up an informal bar area in close proximity to the appetizers
~ Light unscented candles (positioned so they will not interfere with food and drink)
~ Dim the lights (install dimmer switches- one of the most inexpensive ways to create an entirely softer mood and relatively easy to install)
Welcome:
Greet each of your guests at the door. Have a plan for coats, umbrellas, etc. and be ready to take these as soon as your guests arrive. Once your guests are settled offer them a cocktail and ask them to help themselves to appetizers. Sit down with your guests as soon as possible and let the cocktail conversation begin!