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Original poster

Little things to be a great host

126 replies

Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 10:33

I’ve just moved into a house where I can finally host dinner parties etc and I really enjoy having people over.

Aside from the obvious like keeping glasses
topped up and making sure no one leaves hungry, what are the little things you do to make you a good host ?

For me, I like to dress the table nicely, have a box of slippers for my guests so they don’t get cold feet and make sure the house smells nice with scented candles / wax melts

OP posts:
GrandParade · 27/12/2023 10:37

Honestly? Don’t impose ‘shoes off’ rules (nobody wants to be circulating at a party in their socks or your house slippers) and don’t use artificial scents in the form of candles or melts — the latter give me, and a lot of others, a blinding headache/nausea.

Sahara123 · 27/12/2023 10:49

I was about to say exactly the same !

nepthysrising · 27/12/2023 10:58

A good supply of clean hand towels in the bathroom guests will use. Hate damp towels.

TheSuggestedAmendment · 27/12/2023 11:01

Music in the background. It helps to mask awkward silences.

Don’t cook or arrange anything too complicated. Your guests would rather have pizza and a chilled out happy host than a stress bunny serving beef wellington.

BeetyAxe · 27/12/2023 11:02

Definitely music in the background, and definitely clean dry towels. And no matter how’s stressed or tired you are-don’t show it! If you’ve invited guests to your home you can’t then make them feel unwelcome by being grouchy.

hopeishere · 27/12/2023 11:03

No wax melts or shoes off. I do not want to plan an outfit to have it ruined with slippers.

I think being relaxed is the key. My sister is a good host. I'm an anxious host.

ZekeZeke · 27/12/2023 11:05

Be in the room. Don't disappear and spend all the time in the kitchen.
Easy dishes that can be prepped earlier in the day.

ZekeZeke · 27/12/2023 11:05

No animals sniffing around while eating

Iwishiwasasilentnight · 27/12/2023 11:07

I like shoes off but I wouldn’t want communal slippers. Just let people know in advance about the rule.

I hate artificial smells, just make sure your house is well aired.

ohsobroody · 27/12/2023 11:07

If you don't want shoes off bring your own slippers to match, fancy thinking you can walk outside then paddle dirt and dog shit round my floors GrinConfused

Heyhoherewegoagain · 27/12/2023 11:08

GrandParade · 27/12/2023 10:37

Honestly? Don’t impose ‘shoes off’ rules (nobody wants to be circulating at a party in their socks or your house slippers) and don’t use artificial scents in the form of candles or melts — the latter give me, and a lot of others, a blinding headache/nausea.

This! It’s so rude

Obviously available spare loo roll

spriots · 27/12/2023 11:11

Bathroom is clean with spare loo roll visible and personal items out of sight. (It's not great seeing people's moon cups and things!)

Shoes off seems reasonable to me but I would rethink the artificial scents - a lot of people don't like them and some react to them.

Original poster
Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 11:11

Re shoes off - I would never ask / insist but luckily my friends & family are of the same mindset and would never dream of wearing outdoor shoes into someone’s house!! It’s so rude and unhygienic

OP posts:
30not13 · 27/12/2023 11:12

Odour neutralizer in the bathrooms
Heating on to a comfortable level

GrandParade · 27/12/2023 11:13

ohsobroody · 27/12/2023 11:07

If you don't want shoes off bring your own slippers to match, fancy thinking you can walk outside then paddle dirt and dog shit round my floors GrinConfused

Nothing says ‘Welcome to my house, and have a good time!’ like ‘I experience you primarily as a source of dirt’.

spriots · 27/12/2023 11:14

Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 11:11

Re shoes off - I would never ask / insist but luckily my friends & family are of the same mindset and would never dream of wearing outdoor shoes into someone’s house!! It’s so rude and unhygienic

I agree that I have never had to ask - everyone who visits, even if working in the house, e.g. tradesmen take off shoes or wear shoe covers.

Heyhoherewegoagain · 27/12/2023 11:17

GrandParade · 27/12/2023 11:13

Nothing says ‘Welcome to my house, and have a good time!’ like ‘I experience you primarily as a source of dirt’.

Show quote history

I know! It’s almost like a doormat to wipe your feet on isn’t a thing!

fishfingersandtoes · 27/12/2023 11:21

I had an aunty who got everyone their first drink, showed them where drinks were & told them after the first one they were family & could help themselves. I liked that.

I really appreciate it when people keep their cats off me as I'm frightened of cats and they always seem to gravitate towards either sitting on me, wiping their arses on my legs or clawing at me or all three. More than one cat in a room and I won't sit down.

Appreciate both of these are quite niche!

I hate hosting now, but have to do it a lot and for extended periods. I mainly aim towards making people feel comfortable enough to get their own stuff but not so comfortable that they rearrange my kitchen.

ReTrainTheBrain · 27/12/2023 11:25

I've only met two people who wear outdoor shoes in their house. Everyone else are shoes off people.
It's fine to make that assumptions if it's common in the circles you mix in.

Moonlamp · 27/12/2023 11:26

Loo roll. So much loo roll that your guests suspect you have won the lottery.
Hand them one each on the way in. You could make a little belt for everyone out of bungee cords so they can wear the rolls around the house like bumbags.

Also, make sure your loo flushes properly or easily.

I like the central heating tip though, too hot a house makes people aggy.

Keep pets well out of the way.

No full/smelly bins in the kitchen.

Nice glassware.

Loads of ice cubes.

A banner or bunting which says 'Welcome! Please leave by 11pm'.

I'm a natural.

Original poster
Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 11:27

@fishfingersandtoes ohh 100% re cats - we don’t have any pets but I went to someone’s house where their cat was walking all over the tables / kitchen counters - yuck!

OP posts:
GrandParade · 27/12/2023 11:28

ReTrainTheBrain · 27/12/2023 11:25

I've only met two people who wear outdoor shoes in their house. Everyone else are shoes off people.
It's fine to make that assumptions if it's common in the circles you mix in.

None of us ever wear shoes in the house. I think that’s entirely different to requiring other people to take them off when visiting.

TheSuggestedAmendment · 27/12/2023 11:29

Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 11:11

Re shoes off - I would never ask / insist but luckily my friends & family are of the same mindset and would never dream of wearing outdoor shoes into someone’s house!! It’s so rude and unhygienic

Just to let you know, it is not the done thing to take off shoes in posh households especially not for parties. Generally, it’s loafers or flat soled shoes for men and flat soled shoes for women so no tread.

Original poster
Hostesstips · 27/12/2023 11:33

@TheSuggestedAmendment my husband went to one of the UK’s top independent schools and all of our friends still take their shoes off but thanks for the etiquette lesson 😂

OP posts:
SparrowFeet · 27/12/2023 11:34

I don't wear outdoor shoes in my house but I assume when I'm hosting that my guests aren't expecting to walk around in walking boots or wellies. Most people wear decent shoes if they've bothered to dress up. Let them keep them on. You're not eating off the floor!
If it bothers you that much for the price to buy spare slippers for them all you could hire a carpet cleaner to use afterwards