How to Impress Someone in One's Home

Whether you're inviting a business associate, a potential mate or a new neighbor to your home for the first time, you want to make a good first impression. The ambiance, style and organization, or lack thereof, in your home sets the stage and makes a statement about who you are. Entertaining someone at your home takes a little prior planning, but it's well worth it when your guests leave impressed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Get your house organized before people arrive. A cluttered house can give the impression that your life is a mess, too. Not only does an organized home make your guests feel more relaxed, but it also makes a statement that you are in control, goal-oriented and know where you are headed in life.
2. Serve cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. Put a different spin on your cocktails to show your creativity by serving chocolate martinis in a chocolate rimmed glass.
3. Prepare a gourmet meal that's easy, yet not too exotic that no one likes it. Serve the meal approximately 45 minutes after the guests arrive so they first have time to enjoy the hors d' oeuvres and unwind with the cocktails.
4. Set the table with matching dinnerware before the guests arrive to make a good first impression. Arrange flowers, candles, and either a table runner or tablecloth in coordinating colors.
5. Create an atmosphere that's relaxing yet stimulates conversation. Scented candles throughout the house, music and a fire if it's cold are great ways to help your guests let their guard down and begin to talk and mingle.
6. Make a list of possible questions or topics to engage your guests. If the conversation begins to dwindle, bring up one of these topics to start a lively conversation or debate, but make sure it's nothing too controversial that starts an argument.
7. Thank your guests for coming and give them a small token to take home such as a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates. If price is an issue, make an extra dessert tray and have the whole tray or individual pieces (depending on the number of guests) already wrapped in a decorative box to take home.

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