Some of this is just odd, spray furniture polish on your rads, don’t top up glasses, hand them all a loo roll?
op, if someone takes their shoes off, you can say oh, there are some slippers there if you wish, but don’t say it before they go to actually take them off the expectation is clear otherwise.
scented candles are fine, if you have them in the living room for drinks, then move through to the dining room. Where you can’t smell it and blow out before you move through.
do top up glssses, and constantly, but always ask first.
dont plate up, put serving bowls out on the table and let people serve themselves. Have plenty of everything.
do not clear till you’re sure everyone has finished and had their fill. Encourage people to habe seconds and offer.
have music in each of your rooms, we do this simply, the expensive Bose speakers are in the living room, but when we move through to eat, I just transfer via my phone and play the music through connected Alexa echo shows in the kitchen diner and hall so it’s fairly seamless. It should be audible, but not intrusive, I like playing jazz instrumentals ie no words.
give everyone drinks on arrival and have nibbles, Parmesan crisps, nuts , olives, and sit for a couple of drinks, an hour, before seating for dinner.
offer coffee and after dinner liquors, cherry brandy, lemoncello, when the meal is finished.
make sure your crockery , cutlery and glasses are up to scratch and you have enough and the right kind for each type of drink.
have jars of iced water out.
if staying over, put fresh towels in each room, clean bedding obvs, and ensure sufficient toiletries for them to use, small bottle of water in the rooms.
make sure you’re up first, or get up if hear someone getting up, offer coffee,
make breakfast for them before they leave, mid morning, I like to do scrambled eggs, mushrooms and either bacon or mushrooms, and some nice rolls, cheese ones always go down a storm, and tiger bread. Provide fresh orange and plenty of tea of coffee. So easy to do and quick.