Savvy Girl, A Guide to Etiquette Read Free

loved to come to the party. Let my story serve as a lesson to future hosts everywhere. ]

MAKING THE EVENING MEMORABLE
    What makes a gathering special? Details, details, details! Think monogrammed cocktail napkins, soft background music, striking floral arrangements, and of course, an attentive host. Guests remember those kinds of thoughtful details. That’s what’ll leave your party people captivated—and perhaps even inspired to host their own amazing shindig.
    To make hosting a dinner party memorable instead of meh, here is a collection of tips and tricks.
MAKE A TO-DO LIST
    When preparing for an event, make a to-do list ahead of time so you can stay on track. Make sure your list includes:
    • Grocery list/bar list
    • Décor/ambiance list (florals, candles, music, etc.)
    • Ample serveware, glassware, dinnerware, linens, napkin rings, salt and pepper shakers, etc.
    • A tidy house (including the bathroom that your guests will be in and out of all night!)
ASK YOUR GUESTS ABOUT ANY FOOD ALLERGIES AND PREFERENCES
    I actually keep a list of all our friends’ food preferences and allergies so I can refer to it whenever we host. A little OCD? Maybe. But I definitely know that my vegan and gluten-free friends are touched when they find plenty of food options that they can enjoy.

    [ BRITT: These days, there are so many people who are gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, or just pickytarian. If you don’t want your guests to offload bits of food to your innocent doggie, try to remember to ask about their likes and dislikes ahead of time. ]
HAVE ENOUGH FOOD AND DRINKS
    ’Nuff said.
    [ BRITT: For a dinner party, assume one bottle of wine per two people attending. You don’t make friends with water . . . just sayin’. ]

DÉCOR AND AMBIANCE TIPS
    Think for a minute about a dinner party or event you recently attended. Close your eyes and visualize the flowers, the table setting, the lighting, and even the sound of the music and the scent of candles.
    As you reminisce, use these tips to make your next event unforgettable.
    CREATE AMBIANCE. Place light-flickering candles, such as a hurricane candle, on your coffee table, a scented candle in the powder room, and votives on the dining-room table. And add fresh flowers by designing your own arrangements or picking them up from a florist.
    TURN ON MUSIC. Keep the volume low enough so guests are still able to talk. Use Pandora or Spotify for endless playlists you can stream through your television or phone. My go-to stations include Michael Bublé, Coldplay, and David Gray.
    THINK SMALL. Monogrammed cocktail or dinner napkins add a personalized touch. Try Mark & Graham for chic yet affordable napkins you can customize.
    MAKE IT EASY ON YOUR GUESTS. Use place cards to prevent guests from nervously shuffling to find a seat at a dinner party. Bonus: They also enable you to seat people together with common interests and encourage new friendships.

THOUGHTFUL TOUCHES EQUAL A MEMORABLE EVENING
    You know that friend who is totally the “hostess with the mostest?” The one who blows you away, whether it’s a simple girls’ wine night or a fancy dinner party? And everyone attending is always like, “How does she do it?”
    Well, while her hostess charm may appear almost mystical and impossible to copy, the secrets are in the small touches:
    1. Greet your guests. When your guests arrive, greet them individually and introduce them to each other with thoughtful detail. Offer them a drink and take their coat and/or handbag.
    2. Don’t let anyone go thirsty. Keep an eye on your guests’ drinks and offer a refill or top-off when needed.
    3. Prepare a coffee nightcap. Traditionally, coffee and tea are served with dessert or after the meal. Have both available (decaf, too) to offer to your guests.
    4. Tailor your meal to your guests. If you know your guests love a certain cuisine or just visited a country, make the food from that region in their honor.
    5. Get fancy and print a menu. Print out