Comments on: The Ten Commandments of Entertaining

By: Sunday Sunshine 10.25.09 « Minnesota Mom

Sunday Sunshine 10.25.09 « Minnesota Mom — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:18:49 +0000

[...] Mommy’s 10 Commandments of Entertaining. Read them, practice them. Preaching to myself [...]

By: Julie

Julie — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:45:18 +0000

This is a great post. I agree with you that starting with an empty dishwasher is a must!!!!!

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:49:25 +0000

Perhaps this was already mentioned, but having just hosted (Canadian)Thanksgiving at my house I have realized that starting with an empty garbage can is also critical. Thanks for all the other great tips!

By: Amy

Amy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 11:52:45 +0000

Came here via I’m An Organizing Junkie. What a fantastic post and a wonderful reminder of what is important. I so needed that!

By: I’m an Organizing Junkie » Link-Tastic!

I’m an Organizing Junkie » Link-Tastic! — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 04:15:04 +0000

[...] Entertaining doesn’t have to be complicated as shared by Antique Mommy in this post titled The Ten Commandments of Entertaining. [...]

By: Saturday SHOWCASE « Too Full Of Hands

Saturday SHOWCASE « Too Full Of Hands — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 07:18:59 +0000

[...] The 10 Commandments of Entertaining – Antique Mommy [...]

By: Meg

Meg — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:35:05 +0000

Another tip is to have a list of all the menu items, and do a quick check an hour or so before eating.

That way you’re not all sitting down to eat, and you remember that you forgot to put the (pre-prepared) squash in the oven, and it’s still sitting in the refrigerator.

By: ~~Rhonda

~~Rhonda — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:27:44 +0000

AM, thanks for these helpful posts re: entertaining. We entertain a lot, often large gatherings of church family, or my own large family (40+), but as I get older (another antique mommy here), it gets harder to do “it all.” So I have had to learn to let some things go. I don’t panic about floors that didn’t get vacuumed or windowsills that weren’t dusted. We haven’t quit hosting any of our parties, but I do less of the prep I used to think was absolutely necessary. And guess what? No one has noticed! We have just as much fun as we always did and people seem to want to come back for more. Relax and enjoy! I should have learned that a long time ago…

That said, my number one helper is the list. I write down everything that needs to be done. And a list of everything that should be set on the table, down to salt and pepper shakers. If it’s written down, it’s easy to delegate, it’s easy to see at a glance what is accomplished and what is left to do, and it’s easier to relax, knowing all is covered.

Another tip: My mom used to say “every recipe starts with a sink full of hot soapy water” and I find that’s a good place to start when I’m putting together a meal (for my family or for guests). So easy to quickly wash up a utensil or bowl used in prep and then it’s done!

~~Rhonda

By: Hillary @ The Other Mama

Hillary @ The Other Mama — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:10:54 +0000

I completely agree with receiving compliments graciously. I wish I had learned this years ago, but I am still working on it. It’s so easy to see our flaws, isn’t it? But no one else does… except dirty bathrooms, of course.

By: Happy Geek

Happy Geek — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:30:39 +0000

My biggest tip, don’t entertain outside your comfort zone.
We are jello and burger people. We are just not fancy. I used to try and do fancy and all I got was frazzled. Now when people come over, they know us and know to expect hamburgers, chips and paper plates.
If one likes to decorate , then go crazy, but if one is simple, they should stay simple. WAY easier on the hostess. AND the marriage.

* * *
I agree 100%. The “rules” for gracious hosting and guesting are the same no matter your style or what you are serving.