Summer is coming to a close and you’re ready to host your one last BBQ grilling “hurrah.” You’ve worked hard with multiple shopping trips, marvelous marinades and food prep, and adorning the house and the yard so that everything looks “just so.” You want your guests to really enjoy the last of this Indian Summer. However, the most important item you don’t want to forget (other than the food and drink, of course), is your host/hostess etiquette. You want your guests to feel right at home.
From the moment your guests arrive, you want them to feel comfortable and welcome in every way. Follow these steps to ensure the most inviting atmosphere around:
Greet Them Warmly
Of course this seems obvious, but truly taking the time to personally greet your guests as they arrive, no matter how large your function, will help them to feel special, important, and remembered. Take a few minutes to converse, asking about important events in their lives, shaking their hand or hugging (depending on your relationship), providing a quick wham bam tour of the place, and then leading them to the food and drink. You’d be surprised at how far a simple hello in the midst of a crazy party can go.
Offer Some Refreshments
Once your guests have received the low-down and have been directed to the food and drink area (aka the fiery hot grill and bar), offer them a drink yourself. Even if you have hired help at your event, make every effort to care for each guest’s needs on your own. With a greeting under their belt and a drink in hand, your friends and family are ready to mingle.
Make Introductions
After a few minutes of time on their own, circle back around to each guest, introducing one to another. Make sure you’re able to point out commonalities, reasons for guests to engage with each other, and positive attributes to everyone’s personality so that they have reason to interact.
“Angela, meet Lana. She’s one of my favorite people on earth. Just like you, she’s been in the marketing business for years, only she just moved to the area about six months ago. She’s interested in finding a home in your area of town.”
Provide conversation starters and allow for comfort and ease. Your guests will thank you.
Offer a Seat
Now that you’ve ensured discourse is taking place, guests are eating, drinking, and engaging with one another, it’s time to offer a little more physical comfort. Make sure everyone has a seat, and offer your own or to gather more if options are few and far between. Even be prepared to bring out the fluffy cushions and warm blankets if the evening becomes cool. Everyone deserves to take a load off at an event, and to feel right at home.
Discretely Clean
Make sure you have trash bins and recycle bins within eyesight so that guests are easily able to toss their plates when finished. And, as you’re on your rounds, every so subtly pick up any trash or leftovers you see hanging around. The goal is to make your guests feel comfortable, clean, and welcome, without any pressure of having to tackle chores themselves. Most often you’ll find a friend or two who will take care of clean up duty for you, as you focus your energies elsewhere. But, if not, just make sure you’re cognizant of keeping clean without instilling any garbage duty pressure on any guests.
Now you’ve got the lowdown of how to make all your guests feel right at home at your final summer BBQ and creative catering event, make sure you take a moment to breathe for yourself. Hosting is a lot of work, but your friends and family are worth it!
