How's your Holiday Hospitality coming? Do you feel brave enough to invite a houseful of family or friends over for a time of relaxing fellowship?
As we've been discussing in the past couple of weeks, it doesn't have to be overwhelming to have guests into your home. We've been looking at tips from Karen Burton Mains book, Open Heart Open Home so today I'll share yet another one.
"Don't be afraid to do things with a flair," she writes. But flair doesn't have to be a burden! Karen suggests using a clean old patchwork quilt as a tablecloth. Cover it with a clear plastic sheet if you're concerned about it getting dirty.
For a simple, but classy centerpiece or decoration, fill huge baskets with dried fall weeds and those cut tiny pumpkin gourds you can pick up at the market or produce department of your local grocery store. Old wooden bowls or unique baskets make great serving pieces for fresh fruits.
Consider serving fruit instead of heavy empty calorie ridden desserts � and they take less time to prepare! Fall fruits have delightful colors for an appetizing display of yellow, red, orange, ad purple, set in a warm brown basket or wooden bowl. For extra flair, add as string of wizened figs or dates.
Try to recall special touches of class your mother practiced! Was it the added touch of a cloth place mat or napkin? (Cloth napkins today are usually permanent press and can be washed and folded with minimal ironing, if any!) Did she serve simple sandwiches cut in wedges on a white paper doily and silver plate? Maybe she wore that special holiday apron saved for special occasions? As you are invited to friends or relatives homes be aware of special touches that add a sense of flair to their home and compliment the hostess on her creativity.
Summary: Take time to add a little touch of flair to your hospitality and you'll be remembered and appreciated by all your guests!
Judy Warmington, Woman Time Management (owner) -- Busy wife, mother of three adult/married children, grandmother of 10 (5 boys and 5 girls!), former high school teacher (M.A. from W.M.U.), Speaker, Author, Radio Personality, and Trainer of Professional Organizers.
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