Being a Good Guest - Part 1
Being a Good Guest – Part 1
In my Opinion:
“The best hostess gift you can bring to a party is Positive Energy.”
Through the years, I’ve hosted many different types of gatherings. Both my husband and I agree that opening our home to friends and family is the most personal and loving way to share a good meal and spend quality time together. In today's busy world, an invitation into someone's home is a gift and doesn't occur that often. Entertaining takes time, effort, and money!
If you are lucky enough to receive an invitation, the age-old question arises, “what should I bring”? The usual suspects, wine, dessert, an appetizer? All these items work well, and of course, me being me, I bring them all! When I was hosting and asked that question, I generally would say “nothing.” and if that’s not accepted, I defer to wine, which you can never have too much of.
If my guests were able to read my mind, they would know the secret ingredient that is necessary to bring to every gathering, the proverbial “special sauce.” You can’t gift wrap it, drink or eat it. It's intangible. The best gift you can bring to the party is your very own positive energy. Attend and be present.
Yes, we have all experienced a time when we have committed to an invite, and on that night didn’t feel up to going. Being disengaged is the worst thing you can bring to any party. It feels like sabotage to your host and hostess. Even the most gourmet meal can’t reverse the negative vibrations from one long faced attendee! So it might be best to reboot your attitude and put forth your best self. Chances are, you will forget how tired you felt earlier.
I'm so appreciative when my guests share conversation amongst each other and help those who struggle or seem left out, to engage. Not everyone is a talker, and every group needs a good listener. As a hostess, I prefer this kind of assistance more than help in the kitchen. Watching and listening to everyone enjoying themselves is the satisfaction the fuels the effort to keep inviting.
There have been times when I’ve wanted to call my guests the next day and let them know how grateful I was for their help in creating the “symphony’ of ambiance, and fluid conversation that played all night long. Usually, they beat me to the punch on the way out the door. For those nights that didn’t play out so well, I’ll just save that story for another time.