Home party central

Utah seems to be a mecca for home parties...allowing for flexibility of women's hours and incomes as they strive to balance home, family, and income (whether primary or secondary).  Supporting these parties is (in effect) like helping to support the family, however there should never be any pressure and if any of you are like my husband...the more the pressure comes out, the less interested he is (he HATES a pushy salesman- excuse the yelling).  

We talked about it today on Studio 5 and I hope I given you some good suggestions.

I think the way that home parties (in my never-to-be-humble opinion) is that several vendors get together, staying there the entire time to represent their product.  They will have better attendance, a more casual environment, and you might be pleasantly surprised at the increased sales from that low pressure, conversing, environment giving ladies a chance to talk about the different products and shop...a mall of home parties all in one location- something for everyone!

I'm not saying I have the answer, but I think far more people would prefer one stop personal shopping than one stop- one genre of product shopping.  

My two cents

A Heavenly Hostess (Giveaway) CLOSED

What does it mean to be a good hostess? I will never forget going to a class with many women around my age many years ago- all young mothers; and we were taught by an experienced mother of 10 about being a good hostess. This wonderful woman spoke of making sure your front walkway was clean, your door was wiped down, your front entry way was clear- esthetics. I'd like to add a few things to that.

None of us is perfect- but we all love to put our best foot forward and I don't think there is anything wrong with that as long as we allow others to know that it's our best foot. I wrote a post about being a good hostess about a year ago that you can read here. I also have a series of posts about house guests and how we can be good longer term hostesses.

When guests come, consider the following:

• How does my home smell? I have warmers throughout my home that I turn on every day to enhance the smell of my home. I enjoy a congruent smell throughout that reminds me of Fall or Christmas, or even Springtime.
• Is my home comfortable? This is not about square footage or the "clean house award". What I want you to ask yourselves is- Is there a place for your guest to be seated so that you can talk with them? Do you have them remove their shoes and walk on a sticky floor?
• Have I been considerate of my guest? Ask your guest immediately if they would like a drink of ice water. If they have been there a while, ask them if they would like a snack, perhaps you could slice up an apple with peanut butter, crackers and cheese, celery and dip- it's not a bad idea to keep things on hand to offer.
• Am I presentable? I love my sweats. Anyone who knows me can tell you that. However, when I am entertaining, I love to dress up. I think this shows respect for my guests. It shows them that they are important enough to me that I took the time to get ready and put on my best clothes for them. When I host a dinner party, you will find me in my Heavenly Hostess apron (friends can attest) because it's my best. I want others to know that they are special enough to me that I will put on my best things for them- get out my best china, crystal, silver or gold, linens, 40's jazz , and a fantastically cooked meal (hopefully).

Cynthia from Heavenly Hostess has graciously offered to do a giveaway with The Pink Teapot. I blogged about my Heavenly Hostess apron over a year ago and talked about the importance of wearing it! We should all feel honored because this apron is nothing short of amazing. I would wear this to show my guests how important they are to me, just as I currently wear my other apron from her. This is, in my opinion, the finest apron available, and I'm so excited to give it to one of my Pink Teapotians!

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This contest will close at 11:59pm on Friday, September 18th. The winner will be announced the following day and chosen by random.org

Personal Space...?

"What is the best way to excuse guests to leave your home after a gathering? Or is there no proper way? I often have moms and kids over for play groups and enjoy having ladies over for dinner parties. But even if I specify a time frame with the invitation, the guests often over stay their welcome. I often find myself thinking, "okay, you've been here for two hours and I have things to get done."

This can be difficult, especially if you have several people over. Here are some of my suggestions:

• Even though you may have set a time frame, you can't expect your guests to remember that, so as the time draws to a close, thank everyone for coming, tell them what a nice time you've had visiting with them all, and that you can't wait until you can do it again....like this, "Well thank you all for coming, it was so nice to see everyone, I loved talking with you all. When are we getting together next month, on the third Wednesday? That will be so fun; thanks again for coming...now does anybody need help out with anything?" If you're sincere, your friends will feel that from you.
• When it's time for your event to come to a close and your guests are just having too good a time to listen...speak up, you can always say, "Thank you all for coming, I loved having you...I have some things I need to finish tonight before bed, I'm sorry we have to wrap this fun night up (or afternoon), I love having good friends!"
  
• The best policy is honesty, but you can do that with class and a smile. Make plans after play group for example: to organize something just after the baby goes down for a nap. Be honest and straightforward, everyone appreciates that, but always follow it up with graciousness. Letting them know how grateful you are that they came will mean a lot to them.
  

I hope this has helped. When the gathering is less formal, like with family, I just tell them we're tired after a few hours of playing and it's after midnight...use your closeness to be your guide also. Good luck, I want to hear how this goes next time!

Naughty or nice etiquette tip three

3. When Aunt Irma, feeling inventive, brings her cucumber-banana gelatin mold to Christmas dinner, accept graciously (no eye rolling, please). A good host responds to an unexpected — and perhaps unwelcome — contribution with aplomb. Thank your aunt and serve her creation with your spread. You might think cucumber and banana is a disgusting combination — but now's not the time to tell her so, and you'd hurt her feelings if you failed to offer it to your guests.

The great thing about a large holiday dinner is that there is only so much room on your plate and everything is passed around, we all take turns serving ourselves each dish. If an unexpected dish shows up that you are not pleased with, you can always serve "buffet" style and allow your guests to stand and serve themselves whatever they like.

Bye Bye Birdie

When your guests leave, it can be a sad thing. You've entertained them, fed them, housed them, and bonded with them, and then they're gone. I love the warmth and laughter that comes with having people in my home and it always feels a little lonely when they're gone.

I just want to say that I enjoyed having my house guests here and I want to thank them for their willingness to help, adapt to my schedule, and clean up after themselves; they were truly ideal guests in our home and it was a pleasure hosting them.

In the end, it doesn't matter whether it was a surprise visit, a long-planned visit, or just another routine visit. We can always make the most out of the situation we're placed in (or we place ourselves in) and be gracious. Always consider that these are actual people, and if they're close to you, this might be the last time you spend with them...it's happened to me. Remember the Golden Rule!

The Good Houseguest

Having a house guest can be such a pleasure and can create an atmosphere of happiness...so it is important that the house guests know what they should try to do and what they should avoid doing. Here are some "do's and don'ts" for house guests.

• Bring your own toiletries. Try not to expect that your host will provide these things.
• Offer to help anytime you see the opportunity arise; in fact you can look for opportunities to help and serve your host.
• Be flexible- try and be ready for whatever may come your way or what may not come your way. Don't expect to be entertained by your host.
• Always clean up after yourself unless you are specifically instructed not to by your host.
• Ensure that your host has some time alone (like I mentioned yesterday).
• Return the favor-if your host needs a place to stay while visiting your hometown, make sure you extend the same courtesy to your host that they extended to you.
• Be prepared with snacks and juice, etc. especially for children. If your host does not have children, he/she should not be expected to have their favorite snacks in the house.
• Don't make other plans without letting your host know. If you have been invited to do something while staying at your host's home, make sure you check with your host first before accepting that invitation.
• Your pets can be an imposition on your host, so don't invite your pets to come along with you.
• If you have borrowed something from your host, don't delay returning it.
• When the telephone rings at your host's home, don't answer it unless you have permission to do so.
• Make sure you have everything you need before leaving to go home. Check everywhere and if possible, make a packing list. This will ensure that your host doesn't have to ship anything back to you
  
• Be aware of hot water situations. If there could be a shortage, make sure your showers are brief.
  
• Try and conform to the host's sleeping habits when possible. There is an exception when the guests are family or close friends where the host wouldn't mind if they retired early, but let your host guide your sleeping schedule, as hard as that may be sometimes.

I will probably say this over and over again. Think carefully about how you would want to be treated, and make sure you treat your host accordingly. Oh, and don't forget to look up my top 10 host gifts, so when you leave, you can send them something to thank them for all their efforts; a thank you note is in order at the very least. Have a fantastic day!

Welcome home

For extended guests and the hosts of those guests, there are some special things to consider. Extended visits are almost always for family who stay a week or more.

Suggestions for hosts:

• If you are invited somewhere and you have someone staying with you, it's not appropriate to ask if they can come with you, especially to a dinner where a head count is needed. You may say, "I'm sorry I won't be able to attend-my sister is staying with us". This allows the host to invite your sister, or to say that they are sad they will miss you.
  
• Plan with your guest how you will handle routines (school, shopping, date night) and decide whether you will do these things together or separately.
• Offer the use of your computer so your guest may check their email and access the internet.
• Give your guest permission to use the washer/dryer whenever they'd like.

Suggestions for guests:

• It is important that your host doesn't feel obligated to entertain you, let them know that this is not their job and then find things to entertain yourselves.
• A thoughtful guest will not always sit in on conversations, but will allow the family time alone together by taking a walk, a nap, or spending time in their room occasionally.
• Helping with routines (as mentioned above) ensures that the host does not become overwhelmed with responsibilities that are added by your stay.

Overall, if both guest and host are thinking of the other person first (a great motto to live our lives by) then we will surely be acting appropriately. You see, it doesn't matter whether you live in a cottage or a palace, it's your warmth as a host and your warmth as a guest that will determine the success of the visit.

Make yourselves comfortable

When you guests first arrive, welcome them and show them to their room. Show them the bathroom that they will be using while they are staying with you and if necessary (if they will be using your home) give them a tour of your home showing them where extra towels are, how to use the washing machine, how to adjust the AC, use the light switches, etc.

Give your guests time to change and freshen up. Usually your guests have been traveling and will appreciate the time to wind down. Tell them that they may help themselves to snacks and beverages, or to anything they would like.

If your guests are going to be coming and going, it is a nice thought to give them keys to the house attached to a cute ribbon so that they don't have to intrude and learn a garage code or wait for you to be home to enter the house.

Make your guests aware of anything that is off limits, for example, "Please help yourself to anything except the strawberries, they are for the strawberry shortcake tonight".

Honey, we've got company!

We all have people who come into town to visit. They may stay at a hotel, at someone else's home, or at your home. If you both agree that they are staying at your home, here are some things you can do to make their stay more comfortable.

• Before your guests arrive, ask them if they have any special dietary needs and make sure you accomodate those.
• Make a list for your guests of places to visit: local museums, restaurants, fairs (if season allows).

Their room:

• Air the room out
• Put fresh sheets on the bed
• Provide extra blankets
• Provide hangers
• Alarm clock
• Bedside lamp
• TV/DVD player
• Flowers
• Magazine

Their Bathroom:

• Towels/washcloth
• Fresh soap (shower and sink)
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Toothpaste/toothbrush
• Toothbrush holder
• Water glass
• Tissues
• Tampons/Sanitary napkins
• Extra toilet paper
• Hair dryer/comb

These items will help your guests feel more at home in their room and bathroom. I'll be posting all week with this theme in mind.