I always try to offer to bring something. Even if I'm turned down, I'll bring something -- used to be called a "Hostess Gift" - usually an appropriate consumable.
I am bad about doing the reciprocal thing. We host a couple large parties - a barbecue and about every 5 years a holiday party. I tend to invite people to those. I am out of the habit of doing small dinner parties, but want to get back to doing them. I am awful about the followup call or thank-you note, but do try.
I don't expect people to help clean up, but will usually accept some level of help. Since I'm picky about how things are done (like don't stack the dishes -- something about vintage china...), and I don't expect people to do things my way, I usually don't expect help. In the reverse, I feel that I should help, but the best help I can be is to not get in the way. I usually quietly bus dishes to the kitchen if I can.
Expectations - I expect my guests to be respectful of my stuff - ie don't throw it around. I expect guests to be reasonably on time for set time parties - like dinner - or call if seriously delayed. I expect guests to be reasonably good company and interact with others present. I hope my guests will enjoy themselves and accept the effort I put into making the experience special for everyone as my "gift". Always, I try to be the best hostess or guest I can be.
Having said that, my parents were older - more of your grandparents generation so my "rule book" may be a bit dated.
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timeasmymeasure
Invitations
Date: 2006-10-10 10:48 pm (UTC)I am bad about doing the reciprocal thing. We host a couple large parties - a barbecue and about every 5 years a holiday party. I tend to invite people to those. I am out of the habit of doing small dinner parties, but want to get back to doing them. I am awful about the followup call or thank-you note, but do try.
I don't expect people to help clean up, but will usually accept some level of help. Since I'm picky about how things are done (like don't stack the dishes -- something about vintage china...), and I don't expect people to do things my way, I usually don't expect help. In the reverse, I feel that I should help, but the best help I can be is to not get in the way. I usually quietly bus dishes to the kitchen if I can.
Expectations - I expect my guests to be respectful of my stuff - ie don't throw it around. I expect guests to be reasonably on time for set time parties - like dinner - or call if seriously delayed. I expect guests to be reasonably good company and interact with others present. I hope my guests will enjoy themselves and accept the effort I put into making the experience special for everyone as my "gift". Always, I try to be the best hostess or guest I can be.
Having said that, my parents were older - more of your grandparents generation so my "rule book" may be a bit dated.