Manners Monday: How to Properly Set a Table

Ladies, forgive me if you stopped by for yesterday's Manners' Monday post and didn't see it. I left it in draft mode and forgot to set it for auto-publish! The past few days have very busy and I've been mostly offline but I wanted to post this today instead of saving it for next week. As promised, we're continuing the topic of Table Etiquette and Part 2 is all about how to properly set a table. With the upcoming holiday season just around the corner (crazy, isn't it?), I thought this would be a relevant post for many of you.

There are two types of table settings: informal and formal. Whether dining out at a restaurant or in another's home or hosting guests in your home, here is what you can expect as well as what you'll need to know as it pertains to table settings. Below is some solid adivce and diagrams of each type of setting, beginning with the more casual affair.

This is the easiest of the two, involving the least amount of tableware as there are less courses involved. This is your basic everyday table setting, one that you might already set each night for dinner in your own home. For some of you that dine very casually or live alone and pay less attention and may have wondered which side the fork, knife and spoon go on, here is your answer. They are placed on the side in which you are required to hold them when cutting and eating. This is considered proper etiquette vs. cutting up much of your food and then switching the fork to your right hand to eat your meal.

Rules for a proper place setting

A meal that requires a formal place setting will consist of salad, bread, soup, drinks and a main course with dessert and coffee following.

Silverware

A formal table set with every imaginable piece of silverware can appear daunting, but things will go smoothly if you remember one important rule: start from the outside and work your way in toward the dinner plate. After a course is completed, the server will remove the appropriate silverware that will no longer be required. If there is something still in question, as a last resort you can follow the lead of your host.

Also upon finishing your meal, place your silverware at a 4:00 to 10:00 angle with the knife blade facing you. This position will let your server know that your plate is ready to be cleared.


1. Similar to the informal place setting, again forks are placed on the left of the dinner plate, knives and spoons go on the right.

2. Silverware is to be placed on the table in the order it will be used; silverware that will be used first should be  set to the farthest left and right sides of the plate.

3. Knives should be placed with their cutting-edge toward the dinner plate, except the butter knife which should be laid flat on a bread plate.

4. Utensils should be roughly 1/2 inch away from the plate and should be lined up evenly by using the bottoms as measure.

5. Dessert silverware can be placed at the table setting if you wish or brought out later just before dessert arrives. The dessert fork and/or spoon should be centered above and parallel to the dinner plate.

6. For any type of place setting, avoid using more silverware than the meal calls for.

Plates and bowls

1. The bread plate should be placed to the right and slightly above the salad plate.

2. Salad plates are placed to the left and just above the forks.

3. Dinner plates should be placed about 2 inches from the table's edge, centered on the place mat or squarely in front of the chair for a proper place setting.

4. Soup bowls are placed on top of the dinner plates.
5. For a formal place setting, when serving multiple courses, the host may opt to serve each course on separate serving plates.

6. Clear dishes and utensils after each course is finished by all at the table.

Cups and glasses

1. Water glasses should be placed above the dinner knife, with other drinking glasses arranged neatly nearby the water glass and to the right.

2. Coffee cups and saucers may be placed on the table to the right of the knife and spoon.

Napkins and name cards

1. For a less formal proper place setting, napkins are placed either on the plate or to the left of the forks. For a more formal place setting, napkins are placed inside a drinking glass whereby a server may place it in your lap upon being seated at the table.

2. Name cards are always a good idea for formal place settings, especially if the dinner party is large (such as a wedding). The card should be placed above the dessert utensil and to the left of the drinking glasses.

3. During the meal the napkin should always be placed in your lap. If you must excuse yourself from the table, the napkin should be left on the arm or seat of your chair, or to the left of your plate as a last resort (as dirty napkins on the table are never appealing).When everyone at your table is through with dessert, you can fold your napkin neatly to the right or left of your plate.

Courses During the Meal

It is important to remember not to begin eating until everyone else at the table has been served first. Always offer salt, pepper and dressing to others before using it yourself. All items that are in need of being passed around the table from person to person should be done in a clockwise fashion (to your left).

Bread

Always offer to others before serving yourself. Never butter your bread directly from the butter dish, regardless of if you will be sharing or using it only for yourself. Instead, place some butter directly on your bread plate. Also, do not butter your roll or slice of bread all at once; break off pieces and butter each one at a time as you eat them. *You'll notice this is the same theme to eating your entree, cutting before each opposed to slicing everything up ahead of time.

Soup

The best way to spoon soup is away from you, which avoids splashing. Don't crumble your crackers into your bowl, instead break a piece of and eat it before or after a spoon of soup. If your soup happens to contain noodles, it is acceptable to cut them with the edge of your spoon to create bite-sized pieces.

Salad

When eating a salad, if there are a few pieces that are too large for your liking, be sure to slice them ahead of time then place your knife (with the blade facing you) across your butter plate. Cherry tomatoes can be tricky and messy, it is best to pierce them with the sharpest point of your knife.

Entree

When eating any entree be sure to always eat bite by bite, avoid cutting all or large portions of your meal beforehand. Always be sure to point fork prongs downward, especially when cutting meat. Take small bites and avoid mentioning that you are "stuffed" or "really full" at the table as it is not classy to overeat.

Dessert

Your dessert spoon or fork can be moved to the left side of your place setting as soon as your dinner plate is removed. When eating apple pie or any other dessert a la mode, it is proper to use both the fork and spoon. The fork is used in your right hand while a small dollop of ice cream can be added/pushed onto the forkful of pie with the spoon in your left hand.

A Final Note

As always, if you have been invited into someones home for a meal, it is a good idea to mail out a thank you card no more than 48 hours after attending the event. Of course, before leaving, be sure to thank the host for the invitation and meal and thank the other guests at your table for their dining conversation.

Again, by no means is this a complete, exhaustive list, but these tips will lead you through any dining adventure with confidence!

Part 3 will continue next Monday and will conclude the Manners Monday series on dining, after which we'll be diving into some other topics as they pertain to manners. Consider this series your crash course on table etiquette here at The Classy Woman. If you missed last week's post (Part 1), you can click to read the post on Table Etiquette now.

Do you enjoy entertaining? How often do you host dinner guests in your home? Maybe you prefer to dine out and leave the mess in someone else's kitchen? I'd love to hear about your dining habits. :)

Thank you for reading!

XO



*image credits

Manners and Etiquette: Are Your Guests Starving?

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After the majority of you responded to my previous poll some months ago with a wish for more posts on Manners & Etiquette, I've decided to share some bite-sized, weekly posts on Manners & Etiquette. No topic is off limits here-everything from meeting new people at a social gathering to what is and is not acceptable at the office. If you have a specific question for me, I'd love to answer it in an upcoming post! Just e-mail me and you can choose to share your name and or/city, or simply remain anonymous.



I try to keep this blog well rounded so that there is something for everyone, all while fulfilling the purpose of this blog which is to introduce new ideas, inspiration and advice for those that wish to become (or continue to be) the Classy Woman they've always desired to be.



I don't know about you, but when I have guests visit my home I like to make sure that I make them feel as comfortable as possible. New friends get shown where the ladies' room is and they are always offered a beverage and when staying for more than just a quick 10 minute drop-in, they are always offered a little something to munch on too.



Today's post was inspired by my own personal experience, when I was on the 'receiving end' some months ago. Have you ever visited a home where you weren't offered even so much as a glass of water, nevermind a snack?



A couple months ago, I visited a new friend, we had planned to talk about some news she had and spent the day catching up. In my mind, I only planned to stay about 2 hours but she had a lot to share with me, so I stayed a little longer. I realized it had quickly turned into a 5-hour visit! I was starving and was not offered anything at all, aside from water about an hour after I arrived. I asked my friend if she was interested in heading out to grab some coffee or a quick bite as I didn't want to impose, hoping she was just as hungry. But she explained that she was on a tight budget and preferred not to. It got to the point where I had to kindly wrap up our visit and head out to get a snack fast! Don't let this happen to your guests. Here are some basic tips on taking care of planned guests and drop-in visitors in a more casual, conversational setting.



1. Stock Up-Always keep some snacks stocked that you like and others would also appreciate-corn chips & salsa/guacamole (a staple in our home is Wholly Guacamole and Archer Farms' Organic Blue Corn Chips with Flax), crackers and cheese with some grapes, fruit for slicing up or presenting on a small platter or some mixed nuts-these don't break the bank and will have you guest ready.



2. Be Prepared-When you know guests are popping over for over 30 minutes, be sure to prepare something small-some blueberries, strawberries and green grapes on a platter look pretty and are always tasty. You could always have an inexpensive store-bought or pre-made dessert at the ready. Be sure to have a few options for drinks also-water, lemonade, iced tea, fruit juice, coffee, tea, soda are all acceptible beverages and are usually on hand in most homes. Be sure to place the food out just before your guest(s) are due to arrive and in a central location.



3. Hostess with the Mostest-Get in the habit of asking guests after they first arrive if you can get them some water or another beverage. This way, you won't forget to ask later and they won't feel awkward for having to ask. If you are extremely busy with your children, and you feel comfortable, you can always let family or very good friends know that your house is their house. If a guest has never been to your home before, be sure to be a good hostess and grab it for them. Try though to make a point of serving your guests, it not only makes for a good hostess but a lot of people feel uncomfortable going into someone else's fridge and cupboards.



Here is another post you might enjoy about the Etiquette of Hosting House Guests.



How about YOU? Have you ever left someone's home starving or feeling a little dehydrated? Maybe you were the one hosting guests and wondered afterward if you had prepared enough food?

I'd love for you to share your thoughts and any tips or recipes you have when it comes to 'being ready' for drop-in or planned guests!

Simple and Perfect Potluck Fare

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I don't know about you but I'm a huge fan of potlucks. I love the simplicity, fun and ability to try many new dishes that I otherwise may not have tasted. Actually, I think it's safe to say that I've now been to more potlucks in the past 3 years than I have in my entire adult life. Living in Florida means more opportunity all year round for barbeques, outdoor parties and entertaining so I've started to build up quite the desktop folder of recipes.

I love homemade dishes and think they're almost a must for potlucks. I always try to bring a personal favorite that I've made a few times before, I don't like food 'surprises' when feeding others. Having said that, I love trying new recipes and if I do try something for the first time, I like to make it the night before and always make something that I am able to taste before bringing to the party. This way if it didn't go as planned I have time to whip up something else.

With spring in full swing and summer just weeks away, I know you'll all be enjoying outdoor parties soon enough and whether you are headed to a birthday party or a backyard BBQ, I thought I'd share some perfect and somewhat simple recipes that you can use to impress your friends. *winking* Sometimes the most simplistic recipes are best. As I've said before and I'll say again, when making any savory dish you can't go wrong with a pinch of sea salt, some extra virgin olive oil, fresh pressed garlic and  fresh cracked pepper-it just makes everything so much better.

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So, without further ado, here are some classy dishes (and my personal favorites) that you can make to entertain with or feed to your family. I try to make each dish as healthy as possible and keep each one I bring under $10 (several are under that like the potato salad) as I tend to use in-season and local ingredients .

Caprese Salad

Serves 10

Ingredients:

4 Tomatoes on the vine (or any other but these have the best flavor in my opinion)
2 small mozzarella balls or 1 package of pre-sliced mozarella ball

6 fresh basil leaves

1 bottle of balsamic vinegar (or you can use premade balsamic glaze)

2 tsp sugar (if not using balsamic glaze)

Preparation:

1. Slice the tomatoes into 1/2" discs and slice each mozzarella into 1/4" discs. Arrange on a platter and tuck 4 basil leaves under each corner diagonally for garnish. You can use premade balsamic glaze or use a 16oz inexpensive bottle of balsamic vinegar.

2. Set your stove to 1 or 2 (low) and let the balsamic vinegar simmer, it will continue to reduce until it thickens. You must keep a close eye on it so it doesn't burn and scorch the saucepan. It will have a very strong, vinegar scent while simmering. Be sure to stir it constantly. You can add 2 tsp of sugar near the end of the reduction to add some sweetness.

3. Drizzle the reduction over the tomato and mozzarella platter. Chop up the remaining 2 basil leaves and sprinkle on top.

This is an easy favorite and it is a crowd pleaser. I made this three weeks ago and decided to snap some pictures so I could share it with you all, knowing I'd be blogging about potlucks. The most quick and simple thing to do is buy pre-packaged sliced mozzarella balls and use a balsamic glaze if you are in a rush but want to bring a great dish.

Classic Bruschetta Bread

Serves 15


Ingredients:
1 loaf good-quality crusty baguette
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 garlic cloves, peeled
5 medium-sized plum tomatoes, cut into 1/4" cubes with seeds removed
12 fresh basil leaves, chopped (plus extra whole basil leaves for plate garnish if desired)
2 tablespoons red onion, diced
1/4 cup finely shredded parmasean cheese (optional topping)
sea salt and cracked pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Slice the baguette into 1/2" rounds, cut on the diagonal. Brush both sides of bread slices with olive oil. Broil at 400 degrees for 5 minutes (be sure to watch these, once browned take them out). Rub one side of each bread slice with the garlic clove.

2. Combine tomatoes, basil, onion and salt in a small bowl. Strain mixture so that it won't be too watery. Be sure to keep tomato mixture separate until ready to serve so the bread doesn't become soggy.

3. Divide the tomato mixture between the bread slices, garlic side up, and garnish with parmesean and extra basil leaves if desired. Serve immediately.

I love bruschetta bread, it's a favorite for many and a nice addition to potlucks and I've made it several times. Just be sure to separate the ingredients and assemble upon arrival to avoid soggy bread. The key here is the garlic-rubbed bagette slices, they really pop with flavor!

Healthier Red Potato Salad

Serves 12

Ingredients

12 cups cubed red potatoes
1 cup chopped green bell pepper (about 1 medium)
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
3 cloves of freshly pressed garlic (or more if desired, I use 5)
2 tablespoons deli mustard (dijon with horseradish) the hint of horseradish gives it a nice flavor
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
fresh dill (optional as a garnish)

Preparation:

1.Cook cubed potatoes covered in boiling water, 10 minutes, or until tender; drain well and cool (do not rinse!)

2.In a large bowl, combine potatoes, bell pepper and onion.

3.In a small bowl, whisk together remaining ingredients. Pour over potato mixture, tossing gently to coat. Cover and refrigerate. You can serve this immediately or let it marinate further.

This is a spinoff recipe from Paula Dean's potato salad. I was surprised that she had a lighter version of potato salad, I'm not a fan of mayonnaise-laden potato salad so this is a great healthier option. I decided to add garlic, fresh dill and changed the dijon to dijon-horseradish deli mustard and it really makes it pop. I'm pretty good with combining flavors and was pleased it worked out. In fact, I made this for a birthday potluck and everyone complimented me on it and one person even said it was good enough to be in whole foods take out bar. Who knew?

Strawberry and Avocado Summer Salad

serves 8

Ingredients:

1/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon lemon juice
8 cups mixed salad greens (or spinach, that is what I am using)
3 avocados - peeled, pitted and sliced
3 cups strawberries, sliced
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (toast before chopping at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes)
 
I'm trying this one for the first time for a brunch with friends after church. I've already toasted the nuts (I'm using walnuts as that is what we had on hand), I made the dressing and it tastes great, just have to chop up the fruit and toss everything together tomorrow. The photo is compliments of allrecipes.com where you can also find the original recipe itself.
 
 

Banana Cupcakes

My friends can generally count on me to bring cupcakes to a get together, I love making them and even more than that-I love eating them! I can't take credit for this recipe or the photo above, it's Martha Stewart all the way, I forgot to snap a pic of mine. These are yummy, you'll really enjoy them especially if you enjoy bananas, and who doesn't like caramel? Click HERE for the full recipe.

Proscuitto-Wrapped Asparagus

Serves 10

Ingredients:



20 asparagus spears
4 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
3/4 teaspoon grated orange zest
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
Salt and freshly ground pepper


Preparation:


1. Rinse asparagus; snap off tough stem ends. Bring a 4- to 6-quart pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add asparagus and cook until crisp-tender, 3 to 4 minutes; rinse under cold water until cool.


2. Wrap a strip of prosciutto around each spear.  Arrange spears on a platter.


3. In a bowl, mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, grated zests, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with asparagus as a dipping sauce.

I love this recipe and have received rave reviews. The saltiness from the proscuitto and the sweet zesty citrus pair up well together. The dipping sauce is a vinaigrette and is really good, you could literally use it over salad and many have asked me for the recipe.


Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade Crostini

Serves 12-15

Here is another recipe that I didn't get a photo of as I made it as an appetizer for Thanksgiving and it got eaten quicker than I could take the photo. Here is the photo and recipe source. I am a huge fan of both kalamata olives and goat cheese, I used organic olive tapenade from whole foods and it turned out great.


Other great ideas include a veggie platter with hummus and pita wedges, baked brie with crackers, chocolate-covered strawberries, fruit salad with mint, decadent mini cheesecake bites or steamed/grilled asparagus with feta crumbles. What could be better as a dessert this summer than a homemade key lime pie? Yummy!

How about you-do you enjoy potlucks? Do you like to make a dish from scratch or pick something up from a store on your way over to a party? I'd love to see your favorite go-to recipes so feel free to leave a link so we can all try it too. :)

Happy Weekend!

Etiquette for Hosting House Guests

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Do you enjoy hosting guests and entertaining or do you feel like you'd rather chew your own arm off? From anyone I've asked, I find they either love it and cannot wait until their next in-home gathering to show off their skills or they simply dread preparing for and hosting others in their home. Some are excited to see their guests but simply don't enjoy all of the cleaning and tiresome preparations that go into entertaining and hosting, which I can certainly understand. It's no wonder many exhale a big sigh of relief when their guests depart.

Many have voted on our poll and asked for more posts on manners and etiquette, so I wanted to focus on how to be a great host as the holiday season will be filled with these opportunities.

Whenever I do have house guests I like to go out of my way to make sure that their stay will feel like home to them. A place to feel cozy and that they want to return to. I have been a house guest myself many times and it has been rare that I truly feel at home or comfortable. If you are entertaining this holiday season and find yourself putting up family or friends, here are some great tips so that you'll make them feel welcome and shine as a great host!

1. Prepare Them Before They Arrive-If you live in a small home or have limited bedroom space available, don't feel the need to give up your own bed. However, if they'll be sleeping on an airbed or pull-out sofa in the middle of your livingroom without privacy, be sure to mention it to them beforehand so they can pack proper sleep attire and earplugs or an eye mask if necessary. Find out any flight or train details so you can pick them up when they arrive and greet them (if it is possible) which is most preferable or let them know about the nearest rental car agency if they need to grab a car or a cab, etc.

2. Pick Up- If you are picking guests up upon arrival, you'll want to help them with their luggage into the car if you are fit to do so. After a long flight or train ride where travelers are exhausted, this would be a sweet gesture. Greeting guests at an airport gate is a lovely idea but not always practical with airport parking fees and the extra time it takes. If your guests are travelling within the same country, it is perfectly acceptible to drive up to the arrivals baggage claim door. However, if it is a long lost relative, someone elderly or a friend travelling on a long flight halfway around the world, a gate greeting with some flowers would be most appropriate.

2. Lay Down Some Basic House Rules-If you do not smoke in your home, be sure to let those that do know where they can go to light up-the garage, the front porch, end of the driveway, etc. For those that do not wear shoes in their home (as we do in our home), be sure to communicate that to your guests in a lighthearted way when they arrive. You may want to provide some slippers, especially in the colder months. If there are several people sharing a bathroom, be sure to show each guest which one it is and allow them to work out a schedule for themselves. To make things easier for you, let them know that your house is their house. This way they can take initiative to make their own coffee early in the morning, or make themselves a snack so you don't feel like you are doing everything.

3. Making it Clean and Cozy- This is one of the most important areas I consider when entertaining. While everyone's home is different, there are many little things you can do to make their room feel like home while visiting. Here are a few:

• Clean & Fresh-Be sure that all bedding and sheets are fresh for each house guest you have. I have slept at a home once where the pillowcase didn't smell clean and it was not only gross but I didn't sleep well that night. Needless to say, I now carry my own clean pillowcase when I stay in someone's home. Also make sure the room is clean too, vacuumed and free of dust or dirt of any kind. If the room is rarely used be sure to clean under the bed and also wash any drapery to remove excess dust. Keep a small trash bin inside the room as well as in the bathroom for your guests so they don't have to hunt for one. Likewise, keep some rolled, clean towels and a face cloth for your guests at the foot of the bed and let them know where to locate extras.

• Reading Materials-Many guests don't sleep well in a new place, so to keep an insomniac happy, provide a few magazines and a few books that would be of interest. Keep a stack on top of or on a shelf of the nightstand. Be sure that there is a nightstand lamp so they can actually read without having to get up to turn the light on and off. Nightlights in the halls will help your guest find their way to the bathroom and kitchen at night.

• Midnight Snacks- At our house, I like to provide a little box of sweet treats or gourmet chocolates and bottled water with a glass and place it directly on the nightstand for midnight snacking. If your home is more dry or warm than your guest is used to, this may soothe a dry throat or keep them hydrated after a flight also. It also prevents the clanking of glasses and the sound of cabinet doors closing as they hunt for what hey need while you are trying to sleep.

• Climate Control-If you like to keep the AC to a minimum in the summer months and do not have a ceiling fan installed in the guests room, have a fan on hand to keep their room cool. Likewise, provide extra blankets or possibly a small room heater in cooler months.

• Toiletries-Be sure to keep some extra toiletries on hand for your guests as it's easy to forget something while packing. If you have some travel size bottles of shampoo, conditioner or body wash, lay them out on top of a fresh folded towel for your guest or place them in a little basket with other bath items that may be useful to them. Toothpaste seems to be a common item that gets left at home if they share with a spouse so be sure to keep some extra on hand. Another item to provide is a hair dryer, they are heavy and many people forget them, be sure to provide a regular or travel size dryer for them. Irons and ironing boards may be needed so let your guest know where they can find them.

• Something Special- Do something a little different to make your guests' visit memorable. I always like to write a personal handwritten card welcoming my guests that are staying, noting that I'm looking forward to our time together. It's something a little extra, but it makes people feel welcomed into your home. Another simple touch is to place a photo of you and your guest from years gone by in a frame in the room where they'll be staying. Fresh flowers are also a nice addition. You could buy your guests' favorite flowers or simply buy a mixed bunch and separate each individual smaller grouping of flowers into smaller vases and place some in their bedroom and some in the guest bathroom as well.

4. Entertainment- Depending on the nature of your guests' visit, you may or may not be showing them around town or acting as entertainment director. If you are working or not able to show them around and they are simply staying in your home, be sure to find some web links and bookmark them on your computer or print them off some info. If you can get your hands on some tourist info such as maps and activities, that will make their life much easier.

If you are going to be showing them around, be sure to prepare those plans in advance and find out admission times and prices to local venues and plan out which restaurants they may enjoy. Entertaining others can be expensive so keep your budget in mind and give them some options of what is available. If they are interested in some attractions that are outside of your price range, be upfront with them and let them know you'd love to spend time with them and see such attractions but that they aren't financially feasible for you. They'll understand and may even offer to pay for your admission or will agree to something less pricey.

5. Meals- Do not feel that because you are the host that it is your responsibility to cook constantly for everyone. If it is part of your routine and you enjoy it then by all means go for it, however if it isn't perhaps you can cook one meal for everyone on one particular evening or agree to go out to a restaurant. Leave the rest of the time for your guests to figure out meals on their own. Breakfast is generally simple and can easily be provided by having a couple boxes of cereal on hand, juice, fruit and some yogurt or some granola bars for those that are on-the-go. Do make sure your fridge is stocked with necessities so you can pull something together for lunch if you need to or if your guest needs to make a sandwich, but it is not your job to fund all of their meals or groceries unless you so desire.

6. Departure-If you are available to drop guests off at the airport, it is a nice departure and I highly recommend it. If, however, you are working or are not available at the hour they are leaving, just be sure to provide a snack for the road and see them off with a smile and let them know how much you enjoyed their visit. Provide a spare key to be left in the mailbox or under a mat if you will not be around when they leave, so they can lock up.

If your guests are leaving at an unsensible hour such as before 6am or after 11pm, you might want to call a cab for them to the airport or see them off with a hug, wave from the doorstep and then head to bed. It will not at all be considered rude that you are not driving them to the airport an hour from your house at 5am. After all, with so many flight times available those are things for your guest to consider while booking their trip.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post on the do's and dont's of being a house guest. In the meantime, you  can read our previous post which offers some great hostess gift ideas and how to be a grateful guest.

Do you have any wonderful memories as a guest in a friend's home or have you experienced any faux pas that a host has done while you've stayed with them? Leave a comment and share your experience. What do you do to make your guests feel special?

Thank you for reading!

XO