I don’t pretend to have all the answers to hospitality — but over the years, I’ve collected a handful of little rules that never fail me. They’re not about perfection, they’re about presence. These are the hostess secrets I return to time and again at The Truitt House, and I promise — they work.

10 Southern Hostess Secrets from The Truitt House

1. Never serve a bare table.
   Even a grocery store bouquet in a water glass says, “I thought about you.” At The Truitt House, I’ve been known to cut greenery from the yard five minutes before guests arrive — and it works every time.

2. Ice is not optional.
   Nobody forgives a lukewarm drink. My freezer here has two shelves dedicated to ice alone. It’s the cheapest luxury you can give your guests.

3. Write it down.
   From who’s bringing what to how many napkins you have, memory fails — paper doesn’t. In my kitchen drawer is a stack of old guest lists with notes scribbled in the margins; they’re half history, half survival strategy.

4. Put the best people by the worst chairs.
   Hospitality isn’t about furniture; it’s about mixing the right personalities. If someone has to sit by the kitchen door, give that seat to your best storyteller and suddenly it’s the most popular spot in the room.

5. Good linens make leftovers taste better.
   Cloth napkins aren’t fancy, they’re just a sign you care. Around here, the napkins may not always be pressed, but they always make a plate of next-day fried chicken feel like a feast.

6. Always have something salty, something sweet.
   It covers every mood and every guest — even the ones who weren’t invited. At Truitt House, that usually means a cheese straw tin on the bar and a cake waiting in the pantry.

7. Light a candle, even at breakfast.
   It changes the room, and sometimes it changes the day. When morning light spills across the dining room table, a single beeswax candle makes even toast feel like ceremony.

8. Never apologize for the food.
   If it’s burnt, call it Cajun. If it’s plain, call it simple. Own it, smile, and pour another glass — people remember your laughter more than your recipes.

9. Send them home with a surcee.
   A little something special to remember the evening by. It can be as simple as a slice of cake, cookies or some granola for tomorrow. I prefer to gift things that I make myself or NOTE CARDS…that’s a favorite. There are so many good ideas out there and things to choose from. Just remember…it’s the thought that counts!

10. The hostess sets the tone.
    If you’re stressed, everyone feels it. If you’re laughing, they’ll remember it as the best night of their season. I remind myself of this every time I open the front door at The Truitt House: my joy is the invitation.

Hospitality is never about how much you do, but how much love you put into it. Try one or two of these ideas at your next gathering and see how the room changes.

P.S. If you know someone who loves to set a pretty table or simply enjoys having people over, forward these tips — hospitality is always better when it’s shared. 💌