THE TRUITT HOUSE EDIT
Come with us as we tell meaningful stories of preservation, restoration and hospitality. Explore Suffolk, Virginia’s rich history and share in our favorite experiences at The Truitt House.
Dear Mom, How Do I Host - Prime Rib or Piñata? On Knowing When Not to Repeat Yourself
You host the same thing every year.
It’s not fancy. It’s just the dinner people associate with you — the one they ask about in advance. Someone always wants to know if you’re making that dish again, and you always say yes, because that’s what you do.
You don’t look at a recipe. You don’t debate the menu. You pull out the same serving pieces because they’re already right there. You know how long everything takes because you’ve done it enough times to stop thinking about it.
Dear Mom, How Do I Host - The Case for Cake and Why Holiday Traditions Matter
When you host, don’t forget the traditions. Write the recipes down. Make them with your children. Let them see the mess, the substitutions, the quiet confidence that comes from doing something the way it’s always been done — and sometimes, a little differently. Those moments become memories, and those memories travel farther than we ever will.
Dear Mom, How Do I Host?
Hosting isn’t about flawless details so much as creating a sense of ease the moment someone steps through your door. A table set with intention, a candle or two flickering, music low in the background, and a drink guests can pour themselves — that’s the quiet choreography that makes an evening feel gracious. Southerners know this instinctively: people remember how they were welcomed, not whether the forks matched. Once the atmosphere is warm and the hostess is at ease, the night has already found its footing.
Dear Mom, How Do I Make It Look Like I Know What I’m Doing with Flowers?
You don’t need a cabinet full of vases to make flowers look beautiful at home. Start with three: one that makes a statement, one for a single potted plant, and one that makes cut flowers easy every time. Here’s how I use them — and how to make your flowers last longer while you’re at it.