The quintessential guide to classic interior design, elegant entertaining & a genteel lifestyle.
(formerly Mummy's Monday Manners)
Holiday Dinner Party- How To Be The Hostess With The Mostess
Oh, what fun it is to celebrate the “holly-days” at Fox Hall by creating good cheer that is merry and bright…in candlelight!
The holidays are upon us and how grand it is to celebrate with family and friends and host dinner parties again! Here are just a few suggestions, from my years of entertaining experience, which I feel contribute to creating a memorable event for your guests.
-Prior to your event, ask if your guests have any food dislikes, allergies, or are vegetarian.
-If your guests prefer non-alcoholic drinks, be sure to have something else to serve them. One of our friends adores ginger beer, a non-alcoholic drink that I keep on hand for him.
-Polish your silver! Mummy always said the best way to get your silver and house to sparkle is to host a party or have houseguests!
The darling “holly” embellished linens were a hostess gift to me from a dear friend. I cherish thinking of her when I use them during the month of December.
-Write out your place cards, with the name of each guest, and decide where they will be seated. My previous newsletter offers more detail about the protocol of place cards.
-Replenish your candlesticks with new white candles and blacken the wicks. This is an old-school tradition. Blackened wicks indicate that candles are not just decorative accessories; they are actually used.
-Before my guests arrive, I place a card on the unlocked front door to invite them in. It simply says: “Please, do come in!” This way, they do not feel obliged to stand in the cold elements until the door is answered.
-Lower the lights in the evening and remember, candlelight is not only romantic, it also enhances everyone’s appearance! I believe that candlelight makes everything taste better too, so light the candles on the dining room table, sideboard, and the wall sconces.
-If you have a fire in the fireplace, make sure your house remains cool enough that your guests are not sweltering from the heat, especially for those seated near the fireplace.
-It is up to the host to pour the wine. If the wine is placed on table, and the host is in deep conversation or busy, any gentleman guest may take it upon himself to pour the wine for guests seated next to him, serving others before he serves himself.
-Wine bottles are either placed on a wine coaster or, more formally, poured into crystal decanters. Typically, one is placed on each end of the dining room table. This is discussed in my book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room.
Forbidden Faux Pas:
No-no: To place a fork on top of the napkin. The fork goes to the left of the dinner plate (the napkin goes to the left of the fork), or the napkin may be placed in the center of the place setting. The fork never touches the napkin!
No-no: A centerpiece that is too tall and restricts the view of your guests from looking across the table to one another. Keep your centerpieces low so that your guests can enjoy their conversation and eye contact with other guests.
No-no: To have your dog or cat out and about, greeting your guests. Your pets should be put away in another room. I am such an animal lover, but I understand that not everyone else is! Some people have allergies or are afraid of animals.
No-no: Phones on the table. If a guest has a babysitter, or needs to be on-call, they should mention to the hostess that they need to have their phone nearby, or preferably, they should discreetly place the phone in their pocket, on their lap, or behind them on the dining room chair seat.
No-no: Playing music too loud. If dinner music is played, it should be so soft that everyone can carry on a normal conversation. Nothing is more disconcerting than not being able to carry on a civilized conversation and being forced to raise one’s voice due to the overzealous sound of music.
May the joyful sound of jolly laughter and merriment fill your house during this holiday season!
XX,
Holly
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