Every woman, inviting friends andrelatives, wants to look like the best hostess in the world. And experiencing the excitement associated with waiting for and receiving guests, we scroll through many nuances about the upcoming holiday in our heads: what dishes to serve, what drinks, how to set the table, or maybe it is worth decorating the apartment with decorations in the theme of the upcoming meeting? And so on ad infinitum. Surely, every hostess recognized her thoughts and feelings here. And so that these questions do not torment you, let's try to figure out what is still the key point for a hospitable hostess and how to receive guests in your home so that everyone is satisfied?
Create a holiday atmosphere
The most difficult and troublesome part of the holiday isbeginning. Therefore, you should try to finish all preparations at least forty minutes before the guests arrive. This way, you will have time to relax a little and take a break, for example, listen to good music. The kind that will cheer you up, because the success of the holiday directly depends on the hostess. Your mood will be instantly transmitted to the guests, and if you are sluggish and irritated, then even the most delicious dishes will not save the evening from boredom and depression. By the way, after the guests arrive, you should not turn off the music, let it sound quietly, as a pleasant and light "background". While waiting for guests, be sure to ventilate the room to get rid of all odors and cool the air a little. You can light aromatic candles for a short time, because fresh air filled with a pleasant and unobtrusive smell is much more pleasant than the aromas of the kitchen hovering after the preparation of festive dishes. If the weather is damp outside, the hostess may be at a loss - should she offer the guests to change into house slippers? There can only be one answer - no. This is simply against etiquette. In this case, it is best to remove the carpet from the floor. After all, guests will come to your house dressed up, and slippers will only spoil all the charm of the holiday and the mood of the guests, especially the female half.
Serving the table
Most often, receiving guests is associated with significantfor you or your family an event. Therefore, the surrounding environment must necessarily correspond to the holiday and please the eyes of all those present. And here the main role is played by table setting and decoration. In this regard, there are several relevant rules, the application of which will help you to be at your best in organizing any holiday:
- Set the table in the most convenient place of the room, so that nothing prevents guests coming to him.
- The choice of chairs should also be taken seriously. They should be as convenient as possible. The most optimal option are chairs that give each person at the table about sixty centimeters of personal space.
- For important events, a white tablecloth that is well-ironed and starched is best suited.
- Choose dishes in the same style and never use a stubbed plate. The main thing to remember is that the whole situation should look harmonious and fit the room.
- To give a holiday of refinement, you canuse to decorate the room and the table with fresh flowers and candles. Flowers are placed in low vases with a wide neck, and after the guests settle in their places - candles are lit.
- Do not forget about the napkins, they should be in harmony with the tablecloth. Very well will look napkins, folded in the form of a flower. They can be placed directly on the plate or slightly higher.
Despite the fact that the invitation was scheduledat a certain time, some of the guests are late for at least fifteen minutes. Therefore, you should remember how you usually receive guests who arrived on time for the party and not let them get bored. A light aperitif and snacks can help here. For example, a three-tiered vase with different types of cheese, all kinds of nuts and fruits will look great. There is no need to serve strong alcohol as an aperitif. A couple of types of good wine will be quite enough. Having created a light and relaxed atmosphere in this way, you will be sure that the guests who arrived early will wait for the latecomers in a relaxed conversation, maintaining a positive attitude.
At the table
If you do everything according to the rules of etiquette, then you need toIt is important to note that the most honorable places are those in the middle of the table, not at the end, as many people think. And if the table is opposite the door, the place that faces it will be the main one. Of course, at home it is not necessary to adhere to the seating rules that are accepted at serious diplomatic events. However, it is worth remembering that the birthday boy always takes the most honorable place. People close to him are seated next to him. And if there are elderly people among the invited guests, they should be seated as far from the edge of the table as possible. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that a woman should not sit next to a woman, and a man with a man. Husband and wife should also be seated apart. Any hostess probably wonders how to receive guests in such a way that they do not get bored? How to behave at the table, what to talk about, who to pay attention to? If you know the invited people well, try to seat them depending on the characteristics of their temperament. Seat those who like to listen next to those who like to talk and know how to interest in conversation. The hostess herself should never show her bad mood. Whatever you are worried about, put the problems on the back burner. The most important thing for you now is the mood of the people gathered in your house. It is up to you how the conversation will unfold; if necessary, direct the conversation in the right direction. Do not let guests talk about dull topics; involve in the conversation everyone who, in your opinion, is bored and does not know what to do with themselves. Never focus your attention on one of the guests. You are the hostess, which means you must pay equal attention to all those present. And if you notice that one of the guests has become carried away and is annoying the others with inappropriate conversations, tactfully and politely try to change the topic of conversation.
If you came with children ...
How to host children?The question is not an easy one. And in this case, you need to be careful, tactful and, of course, friendly. After all, many children are embarrassed at the sight of a large group of adults and do not know how to behave in this situation. In this case, it will be easier for you if there are at least three children. Just give them a separate room to "tear apart", set up a small table with food and drinks there. Take care of entertainment for the children, and if you know in advance that you are expecting children as guests, you can decorate the room for them with balloons, stock up on interesting colorful books, cartoons and fairy tales. However, do not forget that you need to visit the kids - check whether they have met, how their relationship has developed, whether they are bored. If there is a child of their own in your family, he, as the host, can take responsibility for his guests. About a day or two before the holiday, hold a family council in which your child also has a say. Let him come up with a way to entertain his friends, suggest some fun contests, stock up on simple prizes in advance. Using all the tips above and showing a little imagination, you will always look like the most hospitable hosts in the eyes of your guests. And when asked how to receive guests in your home, you will be able to confidently answer - joyfully, sincerely and enthusiastically!
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