Holiday Guests: Party Time (OR Why Parties Are More Awesome at Downton Abbey)

If parties at your house look like the photo above, chances are you stumbled upon this blog by accident, and that you are fancy and awesome and probably wear velvet to the post office and have a chauffeur.

I do not fit that description in the slightest (although I once wore an evening gown to the grocery store after a performance because I was out of coffee...I got lots of sideways glances).  In fact, if this blog is anything, it's a consistent record of my unsuccessful attempts to do stuff in an awesome way...like actually having a series of posts on anything.  This is the third and last post in my "Holiday Guests" series, by the way.  Were you dying of anticipation?

Anyway, over the years, I've thrown (or co-thrown) a lot of parties, everything from birthday parties to informal gatherings to dinners to baby showers to bachelorette parties.  In those years, I learned a lot about what works and what doesn't, in terms of hosting a successful gathering.

If I had a full staff of servants, like the Crawleys, things would be much easier; for example I'd have Carson to direct people to the proper rooms, and a team of footmen to serve brandy after dinner.  And also, we'd all be wearing fur and gloves and life would be so much more elegant.

Anyway, here are my suggestions for those without Downton Abbey's house staff.  While these may be intuitive to some of you, they're all strategies I had to learn the hard way, so I'd like to share them.

More after the jump...

Holiday Guests: Get Your Bathroom Ready! (Part II: Air Freshener)

It's always a little awkward to need air freshener when you're at someone's house (especially when someone is waiting outside the door to use the bathroom next).  Or worse, trying to discreetly use those noisy spray cans without someone hearing you.

In addition to being noisy, commercial air freshener cans are not so attractive, and full of chemicals.  Since I like everything in my house to be as pretty as it is useful - as well as natural - I found an air freshener solution that accomplishes both, and thought I would share.

I read somewhere that you can use vodka with essential oil as air freshener, because it contains ethyl alcohol, the main ingredient in most commercial air fresheners.  It also leaves no smell when it dries, but the addition of a scented, natural oil will enhance the freshener.

What you need:

The cheapest vodka you can find (try not to worry about being judged by people in the grocery store)
Essential oils
A container with a spray mechanism
A funnel

I was not about to have a spray bottle in my bathroom, so I ordered a perfume atomizer from Amazon.  I actually looked at some vintage ones on eBay, but I opted for a new one because 1. It was less expensive, 2. It is serving an inglorious purpose, so I didn't need anything super fancy, 3. If it falls and breaks, I won't feel bad, and 4. I wanted to be assured that it would work.  Okay and 5, I wanted it to get here quickly, and I have Amazon Prime, so I got it in two days.

Using a funnel, fill the atomizer with about 3/4 vodka, 1/4 water, and drop in 10-20 drops of essential oil. I used lavender, but try pine or peppermint for something more seasonal.  Shake it up, screw on the lid, and spray away! (You know, as needed. Ahem.)  If the vodka smell bothers you, do half vodka, half water.

Tie on a little tag so your guests know what is in the atomizer, and you're all set!

You can apparently also use the spray to clean the mirrors and glass in your bathroom AND to freshen your furniture, Febreeze-style.  Multitasking. I love it.

Enjoy!

Holiday Guests: Get Your Bathroom Ready! (Part I)

As I posted a few weeks ago, I am going to share a few posts this week on prepping your house for holiday guests.  Really, these are just things I do to make my guests feel more comfortable, based on my experiences (good and bad) visiting other people's homes.

I am starting this series with the bathroom.  I am fixated on the bathroom for some reason.  Probably because I always dread using the bathroom at other people's houses (if I've never been there before).  I'm super paranoid about it, actually, and do a full check to make sure I have everything I need before I commence my...business.

Is that weird?

Well, you know me, I'm always keeping it real.

Anyway, there are five main things that I believe are critical to a comfortable bathroom experience.  Some of these seem like no-brainers, but from my experience, not every bathroom has these items, which usually results in discomfort (or in my case, disaster).

#1 Hand Soap

You don't need anything fancy.  Go to the Grocery Outlet or the Target clearance aisle and grab something, even if you only put it out when guests come because you just use the soap in the shower to wash your hands after you use the bathroom.

#2  Hand Towels

There's nothing wrong with this, but a lot of people don't have separate towels just for drying hands on.  But as a guest, it's a little awkward to dry one's hands on a bath towel.  Especially if that bath towel has already been used.  So put out a few fresh hand towels (again, just hit Target or Wal-Mart).  Another option is putting out a roll of paper towels.  I've been to some parties where people have done this, and it's great!

#3  Extra Toilet Paper

I know I'm not the only one who has had that "sweet mercy, there's half a square left and now I have to rummage through the cabinets to find more TP" panic and emergency at other people's homes.  I suggest you set a roll on the back of the toilet, if you don't normally keep extra rolls in the bathroom.

For #2 and #3, I actually keep a basket next to the toilet that has these items in it for easy access, along with some reading material (namely, a physics book for children and a few magazines).  It's not fancy, as you can see, but it's practical and convenient.

#4 Air Freshener

Come on now, you know you've needed a little air freshener at other people's homes.  I actually make my own - it's easy.  I'll have a tutorial on that tomorrow.

#5 Plunger

Having a plunger readily accessible is a good idea. It's not pretty, but it doesn't have to be the focal point in the bathroom. The reality is that no one wants to be the person who clogs the toilet and then has to come out and ask the host to unclog it.  Trust me.

A few other hints - A garbage can is nice to have, especially for ladies who have items that need to be disposed of.  A lit candle is pleasant and cheerful.  A pretty plant says "welcome!"  Some hand lotion would be a welcome amenity.

What about you, readers?  Do you have any hints?