Guests Without Grief: Entertaining Made Easy for the Hesitant Host

by Paula Jhung

Book Overview

Whether you are hosting a swank soiree or entertaining those out-of-towners for a (not so) quick visit, Guests Without Grief offers a smorgasbord of anecdotes, checklists, menus, and tasty tidbits of practical advice.

Keeping time, money, and energy to a minimum, Paula Jhung gives you all the know-how you need to win a host-of-the-year award - amazingly, in spite of yourself!

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0684818841
• ISBN13: 9780684818849
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A classic host/hostess guide

Guests Without Grief...has so many useful tips to make the job of a host/hostess easy that you'll wonder how you ever had a party or had overnight guests before. The pressure is off after reading about how to set up for a party, what to serve, how to clean up, etc. A must read for old and new host/hostesses alike.

Makes everything simpler!

I left home with NO skills at all, and had to learn a lot from scratch the hard way. This book takes the scariness out of entertaining with simple steps, a lot that can be done ahead of time!! I recommend this book to anyone who is hesitant to have anyone over!

Super Cool Book!

I was at one time a hesitant host. I figured you had to be the perfect housekeeper/decorator/cook in order to host a decent party. Since I'm none of these things (not even in my wildest fantasies), I was always very intimidated by the thought of having people over. Well, I decided I needed to get over that. Along with some decent cookbooks, I picked up this book in my local library and LOVED it! In addition to some wonderful advice, Paula dispels the "perfection" myth, proving all a good host needs is a little organization and a lot of heart. :o) If your guests are made to feel like you REALLY want them there, they won't care if the soup is blue (ala Bridget Jones) or the cat licked all the salt off of the mixed nuts. Serve enough alcohol, and they won't even notice. Paula also throws in some funny stories, facts and quotes. I enjoyed the book so much, I went ahead and bought myself a copy so I can refer to it whenever I'm planning something. It never fails to a) give me confidence and b) make me chuckle.

Yes, You and have fun entertaining.

I purchased this book on the way to a diplomatic assignment. It offers a wide variety of useful and entertaining information. I often give to new brides and recommend it to experienced friends who want to entertain more. It covers a range from parties in the home to welcoming house guests. The friendly easy way it is writen inspires confidence in the new hostess and encourages experimentation for the more experienced party giver. It is a smart addition to any library and a great gift.

a life saver!

I first checked this out of my local library, and then didn't want to return it!I love friends and cocktails but HATE entertaining, cooking, cleaning, yadda yadda. This gave many practical tips and ideas that actually had me looking forward to giving a party!ANYONE looking for simple entertaining ideas that WORK will love this book.