5 Tips To Help You Be The Best Hostess Ever

So many women choose to invite friends out to dinner or to go for a weekend away so they don’t have to deal with the ins and outs of being a hostess. It’s tricky to know where to start if you’re not used to it, but it’s really not that stressful once you have some tips and tricks up your sleeve.

Being a hostess is one of the best ways to show you’re a classic woman. I decided to share this video on my channel because I remember when I first began hosting, I didn’t know exactly where to start. But after staying at a few people’s homes and taking notes about what made me feel comfortable and welcome, I felt so excited to do the same thing for my guests. So here are five ways to make your guests so comfortable, they may never want to leave!

Make Sure Your House Looks Super Clean

What’s the first thing you notice when you walk into someone’s house? Whether or not it’s clean! Having a clean home is a sign that you respect your guests and you’re prepared for them. If someone walks into your home and sees clutter everywhere as well as dirty floors, they might think that you didn’t have time to set up for them, and they will feel awful for taking up space.

Having a clean home is a sign that you respect your guests and you’re prepared for them.

To make your guests feel totally at home, take the time to put away the clutter, vacuum or mop the floors, and dust your surfaces. Showing that you were expecting them will show them that they aren’t a burden to you because you had the time to clean up before they came. Also, it’s not always the most comfortable thing to stay in someone else’s home – so make it easier on them by making sure things are spick and span.

Ask About Food Allergies or Restrictions in Advance

A few years ago, I invited a couple we knew over for dinner. I made a huge spread of meatballs, stew, fried rice, and other delicious items. I was so excited to host them – but when they arrived, the husband told me he had forgotten to mention that his wife was a vegetarian! I felt SO guilty because almost nothing I had to serve was sans meat.

I learned a huge lesson that day: Always ask your guests if they have food allergies or restrictions. They may forget to tell you in advance, so it’s up to you to make sure. Now, I never forget to ask someone what they can and can’t eat. If guests are coming over for dinner, you’ll be prepared with the perfect meal tailored just to them, and if they’re coming for a weekend, you can buy groceries with them in mind!

Set Up a Well-Appointed Guest Room or Area

Setting up the area in which your guests will sleep is a lot of fun. Even if you don’t have a guest room, you can make sure that the area you provide for them has everything that they might need. Start off by setting up a super comfortable bed – put on clean sheets and a soft, cozy comforter for them, as well as soft pillows.

To make them feel extra at ease, put a washable face mask on their bedside table (you can wash it between guests) and a lamp so they can read before bed. Also, a clock is always a nice addition so they can check the time. All of these accoutrements can be found at TJ Maxx and they aren’t a big splurge, so you should be able to find something in your budget!

Put a washable face mask on their bedside table, as well as a lamp so they can read before bed. 

Lastly, set them up with a soft robe they can use. Especially if you don’t have a guest bathroom specifically for them, a robe is a beautiful added touch so they can shower and leave the bathroom in more than just a towel. And speaking of towels, put a clean towel and washcloth on their bed so they have exactly what they need.

Make Snacks and Drinks Available to Your Guests

The worst thing when you’re visiting someone else’s house is not knowing where the food and drinks are. Suddenly, you’re stranded on an island of thirst, totally unsure of where a glass might be in their cupboard but not wanting to be rude and start searching through their kitchen like a scavenger.

Don’t do this to your guests! Provide them with a glass of water on their nightstand as well as a handful of snacks. If you want to do one better, clean your kitchen and show them around! Tell them where everything is so they can get what they need when they want it and don’t have to worry about offending you.

If you’re just hosting a dinner party, have cocktails and water at the ready so that everyone can have a drink when they’re thirsty. Additionally, if you’re planning on eating about an hour after guests arrive, provide them with some snacks in the interim in case they showed up hungry. Trust me—your guests will thank you.

Give Them an Itinerary Beforehand

You’re visiting a friend for the weekend. You show up having overpacked because you had no idea what the plan was – did you need flip flops? Heels? Sneakers? A raincoat? A summer dress? It’s all up in the air when you don’t know what you’re doing.

Create an itinerary so your guest will know what to pack.

Creating an itinerary for your friend’s visit is so helpful. First of all, you’ll have an idea of what you’ll be doing instead of engaging in the endless “What do you want to do?” game that can end up with neither person making a decision and standing in your kitchen all day. Second of all, your guest will know what to pack! And third of all, you can pencil in some alone time for each of you so you can take a little rest throughout the day.

Closing Thoughts

The art of being a hostess is still alive and well. I think people often associate being a hostess with being a SAHM, but you can be a wonderful hostess and a career woman! It’s just about making time to give your guests the best experience possible. And having a home that people love to visit is one of the best feelings in the world. 

Abby Roth is the creator of Classically Abby, a commentary, opera, beauty, and lifestyle brand dedicated to looking at the world from a classic perspective. Abby is an opera singer with three degrees in operatic performance from USC and Manhattan School of Music. You can find her website at www.classicallyabby.com and follow her on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest at @ClassicallyAbby.