If you've done the groundwork as thoroughly as we've indicated it ought to be done then everything is beautifully organized and the party is ready to begin. You have every reason to feel relaxed and sure that it will go well. You've put real thought and heart into the planning. From now on, you are part of the party-with a little unobtrusive mechanics on the side, to be sure. This can't be avoided even if you have a large staff of servants, and good hosts know the details which must be watched to make the heartwarming business of entertaining guests in your home as smooth and effortless as possible.

house guests
The entertaining of guests who come to stay for a night, a week end, or a week in your house takes more thought and effort and planning than any other entertaining you do. As soon as your guests step inside the door of your house your responsibilities as hosts begin.

The man of the family will carry the guests' bags as the man servant would if you had one. If there are too many bags, however, he will happily let the gentleman guest tend to some. Too much insistence on doing everything is foolish and only succeeds in making the guests realize how hard you are working. This, in other words, is effortful, which is just the opposite of what it ought to be.

unpack-or a highball?
Ordinarily when guests arrive one takes them directly to their rooms so that they may unpack, hang up clothes and freshen up a bit, espe­cially if they've had a long motor or train trip. It may be, however, that certain of your week-end guests would rather have a drink at once, espe­cially if it's hot, or perhaps would prefer to chat a while. There's no rule about any of this. You do what seems sensible and natural.

a swim-or a nap?
But you do make certain that whatever you do is what the guests want most. Perhaps there are subtle ways of finding this out, but there's no reason why you shouldn't just ask: "Would you like to unpack right away?" or "What would you like to do first? Sit down for a while? Or get ready for dinner? Or have a swim?" Your suggestions will depend on the alternatives you have to offer. Sometimes it's obvious what your guests would prefer. If they have driven for hours on a hot summer's day, they'd probably rather have a swim or a shower than speak a wordl Or perhaps a nap before dinner would sound like heaven.