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A Veranda report sets out eight traditional hosting practices and cites etiquette experts who say they remain useful: plan ahead, welcome guests, be punctual, prepare the home and table, and give guests your attention. The advice is guidance from two experts, not a new formal etiquette standard or research finding.
Veranda has published eight traditional hosting rules that etiquette experts Diane Gottsman and Lizzie Post say remain relevant, from preparing ahead and serving on time to putting phones away and checking guest amenities. The report presents practical advice for hosts seeking to make guests feel welcome; it does not describe a new etiquette policy or formal standard.
The recommendations cover the preparation and atmosphere of a gathering. Hosts are advised to plan shopping and recipes in advance, set the table ahead of time and keep a backup dish available in case the main course goes wrong. Post, co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast and co-president of the Emily Post Institute, also advises having a contingency plan.
During the event, the report recommends greeting guests warmly, making time to speak with everyone and asking questions that invite more than a yes-or-no response. It also suggests that hosts dress with care, keep to the promised serving time and have extra appetizers ready if dinner is delayed.
Other suggestions focus on the home and guests’ comfort: use attractive table settings if available, create a welcoming entrance, put on background music, and remove clutter from walkways. Gottsman also advises hosts to put away their phones and check that the bathroom has soap, toilet paper and clean hand towels before visitors arrive.
Small Gestures Shape the Visit
The advice centers on a practical point: hosting is not only about food or decoration, but also about whether guests feel noticed, comfortable and considered. Preparing essentials ahead of time can reduce last-minute interruptions, while greeting people and limiting phone distractions gives the gathering more attention.
The recommendations are adaptable rather than a demand for elaborate entertaining. The report says a few flowers can help set a table, for example, and does not require expensive china or a major production. That makes the guidance relevant to everyday dinners as well as formal parties, though individual hosts can choose what fits their home and guests.
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Advice Rooted in Traditional Etiquette
The Veranda article frames these practices as old-fashioned habits that can still serve modern gatherings. It quotes Gottsman, identified as a national etiquette expert with The Protocol School of Texas, and Post, who is also the granddaughter of etiquette writer Emily Post. Their comments provide the article’s expert perspective; the piece does not cite a survey or research study measuring how widely hosts follow the rules.
The eight recommendations are: plan ahead; treat guests warmly; dress up; be punctual; create an appealing table; set a welcoming scene; put phones away; and check household essentials before guests arrive. The source’s emphasis is on courtesy and preparation, not on requiring one particular style of entertaining.
“These rules still apply today.”
— Lizzie Post, co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast and co-president of the Emily Post Institute
Advice, Not a Formal Standard
The source offers expert recommendations rather than a binding code. It does not establish that every host should follow all eight rules, nor does it provide evidence comparing different hosting approaches. The article also does not specify a publication date in the supplied material, and it reports no response from other etiquette organizations or guests.
How to apply the suggestions will depend on the event, household and visitors. The source does not set a precise definition of punctuality, prescribe a dress code or require particular tableware; those points remain matters of judgment rather than stated rules.
Practical Choices for Hosts
The report outlines no scheduled follow-up or policy change. Its recommendations can be used as a checklist for upcoming gatherings: prepare food and the table in advance, plan for delays, make time for guests, and check shared spaces before the doorbell rings.
For hosts, the next step is to choose the practices that suit the occasion and the people attending. The report’s core message is that advance preparation and attentive hospitality can matter more than elaborate arrangements.
Key Questions
What are the eight hosting rules in the report?
They are to plan ahead, welcome guests warmly, dress up, be punctual, create a pleasing table, set a comfortable scene, put phones away and check household essentials before guests arrive.
Who are the etiquette experts quoted?
The report quotes Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert with The Protocol School of Texas, and Lizzie Post, co-president of the Emily Post Institute and co-host of the Awesome Etiquette podcast.
Does the advice require formal or expensive entertaining?
No. The report suggests using items such as attractive tableware if available, but it also says simple touches, such as fresh flowers in small vases, can help create a welcoming setting.
What should a host do if dinner is delayed?
The report recommends keeping extra appetizers on hand so guests have something to eat if the main course is late or does not work out.
Source: veranda.com
