Peep. Peep. Chic.
The devil is in the details...
While reflecting on a recent trip to the Twin Cities, I discovered that a number of "little" things disgusted me while staying at a rather expensive, and well-known hotel. Not disgust in the manner of uncleanliness, but in the manner of luxury in the details - or rather the lack thereof. Curiously enough, this led me to think on why I was so perterbed at little things such as the concierge not pointing out the elevators or the notable lack face towels in the bathroom. The answer...the devil is in the details.
Whether you own your own bed and breakfast or are simply looking to exploit a free evening for the sake of a dinner party, paying attention to the details can make or break an experience for your guest. In the case of the luxury hotels, consumers are expecting a certain level or service, and they are wired to "feel" out the environment for queues to the real thing. Before I get into just what you should be paying attention to, let me tell you a bit about why you should be doing it.
Human beings cannot help but think of things in groups. Its how our brains are able to process the millions of bits of information we encounter daily. For example, if I ask you to list as many animals as you can think of surely you will go through quite a variety all on your own. But if I ask you to list as many animals as you can and give you the example of chicken - then you will of course come up with a list, but more than likely that list will be farm animals (i.e. cows, horses, etc) and not only that, you'll have a harder time coming up with a long list that varies. Why? Because your mind knows that chickens fit into a particular group of information, and once that information group is triggered your mind beings to think only in that framework. So how does this relate to swanky hotels and dinner parties? Well, in the case of the hotel, my brain said "Hmm, X-brand hotel means quality, luxury, etc..." and once that happened everything around me needed to fit into those descriptors. When they didn't, I was no longer happy.
Now to your gathering...depending on your theme the level and type of details may vary, but in the end, if you want to completely immerse your guests in a certain level of hospitality, i.e. luxury at home, then try some of the following steps.
1) Keep it clean! This may sound like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised what people miss before company arrive. Giving the house a thorough once over can make all the difference. Remember, guests are not confined to the central living space. They will be visiting the lavatory, peeking in the coat closets, and frankly, they just might get away from you and into the den. Be sure all personal belonging, laundry, paperwork, toys, and dust is properly handled. Dont forget the toilet. A meticulous kitchen and dinner setting is great, but a guest grossed out by your toilet is a guest that probably wont come back.
2) Go frugal, not cheap. Its tempting to do paper plates our of convenience. And its even more tempting to bring out paper napkins. Although there is a time and place for both (BBQs, kids parties), its not particularly grown and sexy to pull these out at a formal dinner. But there are some very easy ways to create an elegant look without breaking the bank. The dinner settings offered by Ikea are a wonderful way to formally dine on a dime. With wine glasses at a mere $10 for a set of 18, you won't go broke if a guest unwittingly drops one. And with dishware that is both beautiful and functional, you can easily find a stylish complete setting at Ikea for under $39. Add a few inexpensive textile napkins, and your party goes from get together to lux gathering. Another great spot for truly frugal deals is the Marshall's Home Store. There you can find elegant Mikasa lead crystal stemware for under $6 per piece - though not as frugal as ikea its still quite inexpensive and lends authenticity to your table.
3) Invest in preparation. As the hostess with the mostess, you should be available to chat up your guests, relax with them, and ensure the mood is perfectly set for your gathering. You should not be monitoring your pork loin in the oven, basting your turkey, or putting together your grandmothers famous pie at the last second. Invest time the day before to get as much of the meal either cooked or prepped as possible. When early cooking isn't an option, inlist the help of a friend to get some of the simple tasks done and out of the way such as dicing onion, marinating meat, cutting cheese cubes, etc. The list goes on. The point is to be able to pop whatever you need to in the oven the day of and have no responsibility other than to serve the finished product (and make it look like you slaved all day).
4) Don't forget the main event...you! I cannot say how many times I've managed to be the most frazzled person at the table because I either neglected to follow #3 or I simply did not take the time to get myself together. Remember, the food is going to be great, but everyone is really there to see and enjoy being with you. No need to dress up outside of your means or put on your club gear (unless you want to). Just remember, it is a special occasion, so its ok to get out the skinny pants you love to wear on dates, or the new earrings you bought. Feel good about yourself and show it. You deserve it, you cooked!
Whether you own your own bed and breakfast or are simply looking to exploit a free evening for the sake of a dinner party, paying attention to the details can make or break an experience for your guest. In the case of the luxury hotels, consumers are expecting a certain level or service, and they are wired to "feel" out the environment for queues to the real thing. Before I get into just what you should be paying attention to, let me tell you a bit about why you should be doing it.
Human beings cannot help but think of things in groups. Its how our brains are able to process the millions of bits of information we encounter daily. For example, if I ask you to list as many animals as you can think of surely you will go through quite a variety all on your own. But if I ask you to list as many animals as you can and give you the example of chicken - then you will of course come up with a list, but more than likely that list will be farm animals (i.e. cows, horses, etc) and not only that, you'll have a harder time coming up with a long list that varies. Why? Because your mind knows that chickens fit into a particular group of information, and once that information group is triggered your mind beings to think only in that framework. So how does this relate to swanky hotels and dinner parties? Well, in the case of the hotel, my brain said "Hmm, X-brand hotel means quality, luxury, etc..." and once that happened everything around me needed to fit into those descriptors. When they didn't, I was no longer happy.
Now to your gathering...depending on your theme the level and type of details may vary, but in the end, if you want to completely immerse your guests in a certain level of hospitality, i.e. luxury at home, then try some of the following steps.
1) Keep it clean! This may sound like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised what people miss before company arrive. Giving the house a thorough once over can make all the difference. Remember, guests are not confined to the central living space. They will be visiting the lavatory, peeking in the coat closets, and frankly, they just might get away from you and into the den. Be sure all personal belonging, laundry, paperwork, toys, and dust is properly handled. Dont forget the toilet. A meticulous kitchen and dinner setting is great, but a guest grossed out by your toilet is a guest that probably wont come back.
2) Go frugal, not cheap. Its tempting to do paper plates our of convenience. And its even more tempting to bring out paper napkins. Although there is a time and place for both (BBQs, kids parties), its not particularly grown and sexy to pull these out at a formal dinner. But there are some very easy ways to create an elegant look without breaking the bank. The dinner settings offered by Ikea are a wonderful way to formally dine on a dime. With wine glasses at a mere $10 for a set of 18, you won't go broke if a guest unwittingly drops one. And with dishware that is both beautiful and functional, you can easily find a stylish complete setting at Ikea for under $39. Add a few inexpensive textile napkins, and your party goes from get together to lux gathering. Another great spot for truly frugal deals is the Marshall's Home Store. There you can find elegant Mikasa lead crystal stemware for under $6 per piece - though not as frugal as ikea its still quite inexpensive and lends authenticity to your table.
3) Invest in preparation. As the hostess with the mostess, you should be available to chat up your guests, relax with them, and ensure the mood is perfectly set for your gathering. You should not be monitoring your pork loin in the oven, basting your turkey, or putting together your grandmothers famous pie at the last second. Invest time the day before to get as much of the meal either cooked or prepped as possible. When early cooking isn't an option, inlist the help of a friend to get some of the simple tasks done and out of the way such as dicing onion, marinating meat, cutting cheese cubes, etc. The list goes on. The point is to be able to pop whatever you need to in the oven the day of and have no responsibility other than to serve the finished product (and make it look like you slaved all day).
4) Don't forget the main event...you! I cannot say how many times I've managed to be the most frazzled person at the table because I either neglected to follow #3 or I simply did not take the time to get myself together. Remember, the food is going to be great, but everyone is really there to see and enjoy being with you. No need to dress up outside of your means or put on your club gear (unless you want to). Just remember, it is a special occasion, so its ok to get out the skinny pants you love to wear on dates, or the new earrings you bought. Feel good about yourself and show it. You deserve it, you cooked!
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Comment by Orion on November 7, 2008 at 2:26am -
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