| "The real problem is in giving the innumerable casual and informal dinners for which professionals are not only expensive, but inappropriate. The problem of limited equipment would not present great difficulty if the tendency of the age were toward a slower pace, but the opposite is the case; no one wants to be kept waiting a second at table, and the world of fashion is growing more impatient and critical instead of less." -- Emily Post, Etiquette |
Hostessing can be as much as a ten-person, ten-course sit-down dinner, or as small as a completely un-hyphenated beer on the front steps. Either event can be made as complicated or as simple as it is seen in the beholder’s eye.
“There’s a certain lady magic,” said my friend Cara once at a casual champagne brunch for 12, “that tells people when it’s time to stand up and help clear plates that I don’t have.”
She may have been wrong about her own possession of it, but she was right that there’s a certain instinct, whether for ladies, gentleman or barbarians in aprons, that lets people know how to eat, drink and be appropriately merry in pleasant company.
If you feel that something missing in your nature or nurture precludes you from having people over to your studio, townhouse or mansion and hosting them comfortably, then welcome.
Hosts is the new sister site to Posts on Post, an urban etiquette guide for people living, commuting and socializing in a city that is far too often rude. In short, how to behave. Here, rather than day to day etiquette, I’ll provide easy, accessible ideas for hosting polite company, no matter how limited your equipment, resources or space.
As someone who loves to entertain, but also loves throwing clothes on the floor, I have stumbled upon every shortcut, trick and last minute quick-fix in the book, all while keeping everyone’s wine glass full. In my years spent as a Corporate event planner, bridesmaid and poor man’s socialite, I’ve learned to be detailed, thorough and to not sweat anything smaller than the house being actually, literally on fire.
I hope this will resonate with you, and that you’ll try out some of my ideas while sending me some of your own. And of course, if there’s anything I can get you while you’re here, don’t be shy.
