A couple of weekends ago, some family friends visited us all the way from Switzerland. A few years back, we had the privilege to visit them in their home, and we were treated like royalty. I fell in love with the idea of tea time or dessert time midday, a custom that could easily grow on me. We were spoiled with coffee or tea and homemade desserts, and I didn’t want to leave. When I found out they were coming to visit the states, it was our pleasure to have them over for coffee. Now most of the time when I have friends over, I just ask if they want something to drink and make them feel like my home is their home. But this time, I needed to step it up a bit.
Generally, I’m pretty clueless when it comes to formalities of hosting a dinner or dessert party. Thankfully, I have a few family members who are rockstars at it, and of course my friend Google has kindly helped a sister out. Here are my four tips for hosting some friends over for a fancy coffee date or tea time, because who doesn’t need a little fancy every now and then?
ONE.
Table Setting How-To
Here is a great guide on how to set a formal place setting. It’s driving me crazy that I didn’t set the utensils out correctly for my little party, but that just goes to show that sometimes you don’t have to follow all the rules. Giving myself some grace for that, because we all know I’m all about that grace.
Make sure you have a table setting for everyone, and set the table with all of the things you will need prior to your guests arrival so you’re not frazzled once they are in your home.
TWO.
Presentation
Something I’ve learned along the way is that presentation goes a long way. It definitely lets your guests know how much you care and appreciate their company. Remember, I’m not talking about doing this every single time your friends come over. I’m talking about going the extra mile when it’s a special occasion. I had a lot of fun picking out new linens like these and setting them out on my table. I also got to use a pretty serving tray and my fine china. I love when I am able to use some of my favorite wedding gifts, don’t you?
THREE.
The Beverages
We chose to serve coffee for our dessert party. I could have used my Keurig, but the hubs loves using this French Press. It makes coffee taste that much more delicious.
And of course, if you’re giving your guests coffee or tea, make sure you set out creamer, milk, or sweeteners. We had creamer in this darling little cow creamer and sugar in a cute little sugar bowl. It’s all in the details, girlfriend.
FOUR.
A Good Dessert or Recipe
You don’t have to be Betty Crocker to have a fun dessert party. We actually were resourceful and used our local bakeries this time. Just present them in all their beautiful glory, but most of all, make sure that whatever you are feeding your guests, that it is delicious.
We had these mini-cheesecakes, and they were to die for! But if you don’t have a local bakery, you can try my favorite mini-cheesecake recipe, and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
Just to recap, before your guests arrive make sure you have set your table, presented a little flair, have drinks brewing, and your desserts ready to be eaten. Most of all, enjoy your company. That’s what it’s all about, after all. Now I’m ready to do this all over again.
What are your best hostess tips?
Let’s keep in touch…
You can see where I’m linking up on this page.
Great tips….this is so not my area of greatness. I love having people over and always have grand plans in my head for the table setting, etc. We did actually get the good china out for Easter but that was about the extent of it!
Thanks, Shelly! And mine either. However, I have learned quite a bit from my people and blogging has definitely made me want to step up my game. ;) Love it! Now I want a new dining table. Lol.
French press coffee is the bombdiggity!! It’s always a special treat in our house (even though It’s not the hard to make!). My mom was the hostess of the mostess, I wish she was still around to do a guest post for me! Ok but really though, why don’t we host more often? I think that is the saddest thing about our society today. With all the social media available there doesn’t seem to be the need to “call on” people like we used to. Probably part of the reason I love Downton so much is because of how often they go to each other’s homes!! We should start a movement!
Yes, Ashley!!! Girl, I was just talking about this, and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. I’m all for women’s rights and whatnot, but I love the classic ideals of hosting and being a lady. Our moms and grandmothers are such a wealth of knowledge, and I’m so thankful for all that I’ve learned from them. I definitely have a blog post brewing about that. So glad you agree! And I know your mom would definitely be proud of the mama and women you are too! ;)
I agree with you, Ashley — I love having people over and even though we do that often, it is never often enough! If it wasn’t for the cleaning, I would do it everyday. :) My husband makes a killer cappuccino, and serving that in a pretty Polish pottery mug is always nice.
Kristy, my mother-in-law just gave me a family silver coffee/tea service, so I am planning to get out the china, set the table, and figure out how to use this gorgeously formal gift! :) Thanks for the tips and the justification to buy more pretty table linens!
Woohoo! And thanks for reading, Wendy! :) Can’t wait to see your new table linens.
Your little cow creamer is the cutest!
Thank you! I thought it was the cutest, too!
French press coffee is the bombdiggity!! It's always a special treat in our house (even though It's not the hard to make!). My mom was the hostess of the mostess, I wish she was still around to do a guest post for me! Ok but really though, why don't we host more often? I think that is the saddest thing about our society today. With all the social media available there doesn't seem to be the need to "call on" people like we used to. Probably part of the reason I love Downton so much is because of how often they go to each other's homes!! We should start a movement!
Thanks, Shelly! And mine either. However, I have learned quite a bit from my people and blogging has definitely made me want to step up my game. ;) Love it! Now I want a new dining table. Lol.
Yes, Ashley!!! Girl, I was just talking about this, and I've been thinking about it a lot. I'm all for women's rights and whatnot, but I love the classic ideals of hosting and being a lady. Our moms and grandmothers are such a wealth of knowledge, and I'm so thankful for all that I've learned from them. I definitely have a blog post brewing about that. So glad you agree! And I know your mom would definitely be proud of the mama and women you are too! ;)
The table looks gorgeous!! I love white and blue! And that cow creamer, how cute is that?!?
Thank you, mam! When I saw it, I knew I had to get it. Happy Friday, Alycia!
I agree with you, Ashley — I love having people over and even though we do that often, it is never often enough! If it wasn't for the cleaning, I would do it everyday. :) My husband makes a killer cappuccino, and serving that in a pretty Polish pottery mug is always nice.
Kristy, my mother-in-law just gave me a family silver coffee/tea service, so I am planning to get out the china, set the table, and figure out how to use this gorgeously formal gift! :) Thanks for the tips and the justification to buy more pretty table linens!
Love the table settings :) I LOVE entertaining so this may come in handy when we have out of town guests :) Pinning for later ;)
Thanks, my dear! Maybe one day, we’ll have each other over for coffee or tea. :)
Your little cow creamer is the cutest!
The table looks gorgeous!! I love white and blue! And that cow creamer, how cute is that?!?
Love the table settings :) I LOVE entertaining so this may come in handy when we have out of town guests :) Pinning for later ;)
Great tips my dear! I took etiquette as a young girl and learning to set a proper table was part of it. I love entertaining and setting the table for others. And I love that your hubby likes french press coffee. It is the best way to make coffee for sure. :)
Thanks so much, Tiffany! :) I wish I would have had those classes, but thankfully M did and he has taught me a ton. I love the weekends when he pulls out the French press. It’s definitely better than regular brewed coffee. Hope you have a great weekend!
Woohoo! And thanks for reading, Wendy! :) Can't wait to see your new table linens.
Thank you! I thought it was the cutest, too!
Thank you, mam! When I saw it, I knew I had to get it. Happy Friday, Alycia!
Thanks, my dear! Maybe one day, we'll have each other over for coffee or tea. :)
Great tips my dear! I took etiquette as a young girl and learning to set a proper table was part of it. I love entertaining and setting the table for others. And I love that your hubby likes french press coffee. It is the best way to make coffee for sure. :)
What wonderful suggestions! I’m such a clueless hostess so I can definitely take some notes here! Pinned for future inspiration.
Wow, you’re just rocking your camera aren’t you?! Your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Ahh, this is such a great post to SHINE!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
xoxo
Thanks so much, Tiffany! :) I wish I would have had those classes, but thankfully M did and he has taught me a ton. I love the weekends when he pulls out the French press. It's definitely better than regular brewed coffee. Hope you have a great weekend!
What wonderful suggestions! I'm such a clueless hostess so I can definitely take some notes here!
Wow, you're just rocking your camera aren't you?! Your photos are gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing.
xoxo
Great looking photos and linens. (But if you ever come to my house, know that if I’ve mopped up the dried spaghetti sauce that’s been on the floor for 3 days I’m really giving 110% to impress you.)
Girl, me too! I didn’t dare say anything about my floors for a reason. Lol. The table is all a distraction. ;)
Great looking photos and linens. (But if you ever come to my house, know that if I've mopped up the dried spaghetti sauce that's been on the floor for 3 days I'm really giving 110% to impress you.)
Ahh, this is such a great post to SHINE!
Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).
xoxo
Girl, me too! I didn't dare say anything about my floors for a reason. Lol. The table is all a distraction. ;)