The Art of Entertaining: The After Party Unwind (November Challenge Day #17)

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Do you know that I look forward to when all the guests leave almost as much as I look forward to the party itself?  I know that may sound weird, but it's true.  There is something magical about my home as I sit down with a glass of leftover beverage (in my case sparkling cider or root beer - some non-alcoholic bubbly drink) and survey the "damage".  I rewind and replay all the fun things that happened or were said.  I weigh what was done right and what can be done better.  I take a deep breath and pat myself on the back for having made it through and done a good job (or on occasion I cry because it was a flop).  Then I usually put on some fun music and get to work doing the dishes and putting things away.

Several years ago I attended Thanksgiving at an extended family members home in Seattle.  Their home was gorgeous and warm and inviting.  The hostess had gone to great lengths to make the tables look beautiful and the food was delicious and plentiful.  As the evening wrapped up, my mom and I offered to help clean up and do the dishes.  I was a bit taken aback when the hostess declined our offer.  She then said something that taught me a great lesson.  She basically said, "Cleaning up is my gift to you."  I know many would think that cleaning up as the guest is a gift to the hostess, but the more I've thought about it, the more I've realized she was right.  I have tried to adopted her "gift" when I throw dinner parties.  In fact, I almost can't stand when people start cleaning up for me.  (There are exceptions to this of course).  When you as the hostess or your guests start cleaning up, you are signaling that the party is over.  I don't know about you, but I don't want that to be the signal for the end of a party.  I want people to linger, to sit on my couch and talk, to enjoy my home.  That is the greatest gift a guest could ever give me.  To know people want to be in your home and want to be with you is the greatest gift ever!  The dishes will always be there!  Believe me, they aren't going anywhere!

I remember having friends over one time (back in that little apartment in Michigan) and you could tell from the minute they got there that they could not get out fast enough.  I was so hurt.  I had prepared and worked hard on the meal and wanted to visit and share my home with them, but the minute the last bite was taken they were gone.  It left me wanting.  And in my opinion,  for a dinner party to be a true success, neither guest nor host should ever be left wanting.

What is my overall take home message here?  Enjoy every part of your dinner party, even the cleaning up part.  It is all part of the whole experience and can be a time of great reflection so that once again, your next dinner party will be all the better!