Tuesday

Hospitality and Entertaining Notebook

Several years ago my sister and I went round and round over who came to dinner one Easter. I insisted that our brother's family came. My sister insisted they didn't. Then we couldn't remember if we had ham or fried chicken...Really? You think you'll remember these simple things...I won't tell you who was right about the guest list but we were both wrong about the food.

The guys smoked ribs.


That was when I began keeping a hospitality and entertaining notebook.

I use a simple 3-ring notebook.

Sometimes I get really fancy and use pictures and stickers like a scrapbook page...



Other times I jot the info down on a piece of notebook paper...


Some of the information I include in my notebook:


  • What was the occasion?
  • Who did I invite?
  • Who attended?
  • What was on the menu?
  • How did I decorate?
  • What dishes/glasses did I use? 
  • Any special serving pieces I used.
  • Where and how I served the food?
  • Where we ate (outside or in the house)?
  • How much ice we used?
  • Any problems or issues?
  • Did something go over really well? 




In my notebook I also like to include pictures of special recipes I've made...




In the front pocket I keep ideas for parties that I want to have...

I'm going to host this party when my tomatoes come in  this year!



It's fun to look back over the years and see the special times we've had. A notebook also helps to save me time  when I'm planning new parties. I can look back and get ideas from parties I've had and I also don't duplicate food or table decorations. (Unless I want to:-)



I like to keep my information in a notebook but you can keep it in a folder on your computer if you 
 want. The important thing is to just write it down. 

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7 comments:

  1. UnknownJanuary 17, 2013 at 5:14 PM

    What a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GLENDA CHILDERSJanuary 17, 2013 at 7:49 PM

    This is a practical idea. We used a guest book for years ... so we always knew who was there.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lace up and WalkJanuary 18, 2013 at 5:03 PM

      I've thought about using a guest book. I might try and get one started. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  3. Richella ParhamJanuary 24, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    LOVE this idea! Thank you for linking it to Grace at Home. I'm featuring you in today's post!

    ReplyDelete
  4. An Oasis in the DesertJanuary 24, 2013 at 9:30 AM

    This is such a clever idea, especially for some of us "uber-organized" people -- I pretty much love anything in a notebook & even more when pictures are added!

    ReplyDelete
  5. shadowhaswingsJanuary 24, 2013 at 12:35 PM

    Awesome idea! I wish I'd done this too! We've taken pictures on how I've sent the table and sometimes the food... but trying to remember exactly what I fixed and how it turned out is another story!
    You get a '10' from me on the best idea posted, I am loving this.
    It is never to late to start on a great idea, thank you so much!
    Debbie from the Northwest

    ReplyDelete

I'd love to hear from you!

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