The Good Hostess

"We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give."

-Sir Winston Churchill

She answers the door with a smile, hands you a cool drink & somehow gets you started on a conversation with the handsome man in the corner you wouldn't have had the courage to speak to otherwise. A good hostess always makes you feel comfy. The hostess is the star of the party, always ready to shine. You should always be warm & welcoming. If you don't actually enjoy having people in your home, it will be obvious. Southern girl know how to turn on the charm, & we can talk to the auto mechanic just as well as we can talk to the millionaire. Thats part of what makes us such good hostesses! The heart of hospitality is selflesness & caring. You need to remember what your guests enjoy. What went over really well @ the last party & what didnt? Was your banana pudding the star of your spread? Did that casserole only have a a few spoon marks in it? Did your neighbors frat brother get drunk & make a fool of himself? Remember what people liked & didnt like (including other people) & make note! Southern Housewives want to, above all else, make their family happy...so when we hostess, we think of our guests as family too!

You should send out invitations for everything! This day & age, we send out mass Facebook invites. Not the southern housewife. Sending out real invitations makes your guest feel special & lets them know you took the time to really invite them. You should ALWAYS write a thank you note if they bring a gift to your house.

Have foods that are easy to serve & wont encourage crowding around a table. Tacos with all the fixins sounds fun...but having someones meat get cold before they can get to the hot sauce isnt a good idea. A main dish-a casserole or mini quiches is easy to pick up and its filling. Side dishes that are simple, pigs in a blanket, bbq meatballs, cornbread muffins & fruit salad are also a good idea. Desserts that arent gooey are best. Always have a beautiful centerpiece of fresh flowers or fruit. Always have matching napkins!

Keep an eye on peoples drinks & other things they need. If a guest is lugging around a bag, offer a safe place for her belongings. If you see a guests drink is empty, offer to refill it. Keeping your guests comfortable & happy is your number one goal.

Five Ways To Share Our Famous Hospitality

1. welcome new neighbors with a home baked casserole, if theyre unpacking still, provide paper plates

    & forks too!

2. Keep a few appetizers in your freezer for when guests arrive unexpectedly. That way it looks like you

    can welcome them like you cooked all day long!

3. Stock your guest room like a fine hotel. Supply shampoos & soaps & towels so they dont have to

    rummage to find one. Provide bottled water & light snacks in their rooms!

4. On holidays, dont forget the people who make your life easier. Your mail carrier, your garbage man,

     ect. For an extra special smile, get something for the older gentleman who bags your grocery at the

     local store or the guy with the fruit stand you see once a week!

5. Always smile! Smiles are contageous and you never know who could really use one. Plus, you always

    look prettier with a smile!