Immediately after someone uses the crapper, run in and fold the end of the TP to a little point before the next guest can enter. You’ll be the talk of the town.
Ah, a Mitford fan! Want to try on the amethysts? Or polish the ormolu?
This might be more of a “big tip” than a “little tip”. But every year, I cook an Easter dinner for friends. Well, for the past few years, it’s been hosted at the house of one of my other friends. It was his idea, since they have two kids, and it was easier for them for the dinner to come to them than to get the kids rounded up to take them somewhere else. I do all of the cooking, and they do all the preparation of the space (cleaning, putting out tables and chairs, etc.). That way, we can share the burden, so it’s not too much for either of us.
Guest Bathroom Tips:
– Provide a bottle of liquid soap. People seem to prefer it over bar soap, especially if it’s just been recently used and is still wet. Don’t use pretty shaped soaps-- lots of folks assume those are “just for show” and won’t use them.
– Make sure there is a box of feminine hygiene products under the sink. (And always make sure it’s been opened and one or two of them are gone. People hesitate to open a new box.)
– Put out a nice tray on the vanity which has hairspray, lotion and some wrapped breath mints in a little bowl. Guests seem to really appreciate this.
–Make sure your medcine cabinet is stocked with anti-gas, anti-diarrhea and headache medicines. Guests are sometimes too embarassed to ask and will look in the cabinet to see if there’s any in there.
General tips:
–Try to provide a comfortable smoking area for your guests. If they’re going to be sent to the porch, make sure that there’s some sort of shelter (even just an umbrella) and put some sort of a heater out there. I have a fire-pit which is something like this which I light so guests can stay warm while they’re outdoors. (There are other types of portable heaters which could work, too.)
– Along with coffee, offer your guests tea. All you’d have to do is have hot water and some teabags, but people like me, who don’t like coffee, would really appreciate it.
–If you’re serving wine, have a non-alcoholic option as well. (Every time I have a party I buy a bottle of sparkling grape juice in case. I’ve never had to open one of them, though. But it’s still nice to have the opition.)
Ike, the TP I use won’t hold a fold. Can I use Scotch Tape?
Sonia, you seem like the perfect hostess. Have you ever considered hosting a Dope Fest?
I didn’t think so. 
Actually, I’d love to organize a Dopefest! I’ve already got some ideas for one. The only reason I haven’t done it yet is that I’m still a newbie (although a long-time lurker) and I thought it would seem presumptuous and premature for me to convene one this soon.
I don’t throw formal dinner parties because I AM a kid, but they sound like fun!
Also- wow, you have a library, a family room, AND a downstairs bathroom? can I come over to your house?
my tips? don’t have parties if you have cranky neighbors.
And uninvite kids and teenagers to adult parties. Trust me- we’ll thank you for it. If you have to have kids, either make sure you invite two families with kids who know each other or have something kid-specific in another room to do all night. Little sucks more than being at a dinner party with only adults and your little sisters and nothing to do.
Did you know you can use your dishwasher as a plate warmer so that all your guests can have toasty hot dinner plates for their main course?
My preferred way to get hot plates is to put a little bit of water on each plate, and then stack them in the microwave for a minute or so. Take them out and dry them with a towel.
I don’t really have parties but this just occured to me. Make sure you inform guests in advance where it’s okay to park their cars.
Go to a stationary store and buy some heavy bond, parchment style paper. Go nuts in word and make an elegant menu and print it out. It gives guests something to talk about while everyone is settling in and is a nice souvenir from the party. This is the template I’ve been using for quite a while which took me about half an hour of fiddling with fonts to come up with. I generally like doing them at the last minute so I can edit in or out little details as different crises pop up.
Don’t sweat it, baby. We’ve had dozens of 'em here in Da City, and ALL of them with the toilet paper ends folded into little points.
Damn, I love this! I have an 11-year-old son. He’s carving this year, for sure.
We serve anybody, Toots, keep ya shirt on.
I don’t have dinner parties per se, more like fairly informal gatherings with food & drink available, but here’s a couple:
Make sure everyone knows you have an animal in case of allergies. I have cats and have been thanked for including the fact on invitations. I also keep some allergy pills on hand just in case.
I always have a scented candle burning in the guest bathroom. It acts as both a night-light and a deoderizer, saving possible guest embarrassment.
When I have a lot of canned or bottled drinks to be kept cold, I’ll fill the washing machine with ice & drinks. You can easily restock the refrigerator as it empties, and a quick spin cycle after the ice melts (and any remaining drinks have been removed) makes clean-up a breeze.
Helpful Handy Hint: DO NOT put the candles on the back of the toilet tank. I provided the last of the evening entertainment at one party by having my long curly hair catch fire due to a bathroom visit, with candles on the back of the tank. Much mirth was had, and, it became a har har tale with the folks I hang with, to end the evening with the scent of scorched hair, but, a more delicate soul might have been horribly scarred for life.
What’s this “guest embarrassment” of which you speak?
unless (and often even if) you are absolutely certain that every guest, significant other, etc. is meat-friendly, make sure a tasty & filling meal can be made from the veggie options. there’s always someone who doesn’t like red meat, or fish, or whatever, even if they aren’t a 5th degree vegan.
it is also a good idea, especially when you might not closely know some of your guests (or their mates,) to ask on invitation if any dietary requirements (kosher, halal, allergy, veggie, etc) should be taken into account. even if nobody coming to your party has any special requirements, at least a couplefew will appreciate your concern. plus it’s easier to deal with a last minute “oh, i didn’t realize” or whatever.
…plus it’s easier to deal with ^than^ a last minute…
i should have said.
also, if there is going to be alcohol consumed, and the party is not specifically byo, have at least three options available for guests - a wine, a beer, and a scotch, for example. or two different beers and a wine. or two different wines & a cognac. you do not by any means have to have enough booze on premises to get the whole party wasted, but you should have enough to provide at least two drinks per guest, should they accept your offer of a drink.
Wow…i am properly whelmed over these replies. You brothers and sisters throw great parties! I’m impressed.
I don’t host parties at my personal abode but i have done very high $$ catering in some very fine digs and I’ve seen more than a few great ideas here…they are going down un my book…honestly…thanks.
tsfr