I'm looking for novel hosting touches. What do you put on your table, at your entryway, in your ice bucket, on your playlist? What's that one thoughtful thing you do that people always notice? Tell me about them!

Question

Shellie Gossling · Answer

photos of you with your guests: When we have friends or family over I will pull photos out (if they aren’t out already) of us with our guests.  I feel like it’s such a nice way of appreciating them.  We also have a digital photo frame and I will create an album with our photos with them to rotate on the screen.

Cristina · Answer

Small bud vases with a few flowers or a sprig of something green scattered around….its a low lift but its whimsical amd fun.

Hannah Harvey · Answer

Handmade Place Cards: I love to hand paint/draw place cards, or (if it’s not that kind of party) labels for the food and drinks. I even did it for my wedding!

Sarah Cooney · Answer

Candle Etiquette: An excerpt from my grandmother's book about having a gracious home (sadly unfinished and never published!)

I use many pairs of candlesticks throughout my dining room and only use ivory colored candles. In fact, I buy them by the case and as a Christmas gift my children always receive several boxes to keep for their supplies.

When using candles be sure they are not lower than your eye level. There is nothing worse than looking across the table into flickering candle light. A good rule is to rest your elbow on the table with your hand straight up. The candle should be above that point.

Literally THE BEST tip and something I use decades later.

mili · Answer

Summer Bossa Nova Mix: bossanova brings great vibes and it’s for everyone, any generation, any background