San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1925-12-30
Table Talks
The Perfect Hostess
By Mildred Kitchen

No matter how small % how pre-
tentious the affair, careful thought
will be given to the selection Of guests
those who are sure 10 Be eonssniA
or who will be happy 20 meet each
other if il is for the first time.
Invitations will be sent IN ample
time for a reply and one must always
consider the possible delay in mails.
They will be written on good, plain
white stationery and may be formal
or informal as the case may demand.
Whether tclephoned or written, they
will express that subtle note of cor
diality sometimes lacking m invita-
tons today.
The date, hour, address and a state
ment as TO the nature of the occasion
are always necessarily, of course.
PREPARATIONS.
The perfect hostess will have plan
ned so carefully for several days ahead
| that no annoying details, which Will
make her nervous and flustered at the
last minute, can possibly occur.
IL a meal is part Of the entertain
ment she will find that it always pays
to carefully plan out each item on pa
per and order by well checked lists.
She will plan a meal easily served by
herself il no maid is available. and a
maid is by no means a necessity II
plans are well laid previously.
Having planned 80 wisely, the per-
feet hostess will have ample time to
rest sufficiently before the guests ar
rive SO that she is truly keen to greet
them. WEAKNESS and insincerity are
easily detected.
She divides her time impartially
among her guests and makes special
effort to give the retiring, timid friend
good time.
AT THE TABLE.
The gentleman guest of honor sits
at the right of the hostess; the lady
guest of honor at the right of the
host. =,
Two customs as to which one shall
be served first are in vogue. Some
begin with the guest of honor and
serve the hostess last. Some serve
| the hostess first so that presumably
she will have the coolest plate.
rather prefer the former, since then
it is n signal fer the hostess TO lift
the proper utensil for that course as
further signal that guests may begin
to eat.
The hostess eats slowly enough 20
| that no guest is embarrassed by be-
ing the last one to finish.
Perhaps the host will serve from
his place at the head Of the table. This
is a comfortable, honey way to do
where there is no maid service.
| In that case unless he il skilled
carving expert d meat easy to serve
will be chosen. Each plate viii be
made as attractive as possible and
should therefore be large enough 20
that food does not appear crowded. An
untidy plate service is never e1cus'
able.
The hostess will take second serv-
ing so that guests will feel free to
be served again.
TABLE DECORATIONS.
These are such that she can see
all her guests. She can then watch
her guests and will attempt to draw
| all into the conversation which VIII
be general in nature and as full Oh
fun and vivacity as possible.
The hostess is the first to rise and
the gentleman at her right assists
her.
Other guests follow her and the
guest of honor to the drawing room
or, ut formal affair, the ladies may
go to the drawing room for after din-
ner coffee while the men remain at
the table or go to the library for
smoking.
The perfect hostess is not given TO
apologies. Careful planning obviates
the necessity Of excuses, but should
something go wrong profuse apologies
only make the guests uncomfortable
and at loss for words to parry those
of the hostess.
The perfect hostess somehow gives
her guests the feeling that sincere,
true hospitality has been offered. Os-
: tentation. a lavish display of silver or
yiands or decorations are not needed.
Simplicity should be the keynote to
any well appointed affair.