Host Etiquettes

Most important tips for hosts:

Don't be the diet police. Even if you're a doctor or a dietician, it's not your job as a host/hostess to monitor the calorie, fat, or cholesterol intake of your guests or give unsolicited advice about weight loss or gain. If you think someone is not eating healthy at your event, keep it to yourself. Also, don't let any of your guests act as the diet police either. If your guests are on restricted diets, don't monitor them to see that they are adhering to their diets. As distressing as it may be to find that they are not, it is ultimately not your business.
Do inquire of your guests about their dietary needs and preferences when inviting them, but don't feel that you need to be a short-order cook or tailor the entire menu to their needs. If your guests choose not to consume something you have offered, keep your disappointment to yourself. Don't urge them to eat or fret about not having something for them to eat-it is their choice not to eat. Respect that without fuss or melodrama.
Don't allow guests to dominate the conversation at the expense of other guests. If you see that other guests have tuned out because one or more of your guests have turned out to be really windy (aggressive), step in and pull non-participating guests into the conversation. If your windy guests refuses to stop talking, ask them discreetly and quietly to shelve the subject and allow others to participate.
Don't allow the conversation to get really aggressive to the point that guests are looking uncomfortable. If it starts to get really heated, step in and ask your guests to ratchet down the volume and/or change the subject. Don't let anyone go on ranting.
If the conversation stalls out, be the person to get it restarted. Make sure all your guests are properly introduced. If you are aware that a topic of conversation is really uncomfortable for a guest, change the subject for that guest's benefit.
If the occasion is to be a potluck, indicate that at the time you extend the invitation. Otherwise, it is your duty to provide all the food/drinks to be served and the utensils, plates, cups, etc…with which they will be eaten at your own expense. Don't send your guests out to do your shopping for you.
While it is gracious of guests to offer to bring things, don't take them up on their offer unless they can realistically bring something you would like. And don't "expect" them to offer-if they don't do so, don't ask them to bring anything but themselves and good spirits. Graciously thank your guests for any host/hostess gifts they bring, but don't expect them. However, you are not required to serve consumable host/hostess gifts.
Don't delay the meal to wait for late guests. Provide a realistic arrival and starting time, and if this has to change before the event takes place, notify your guests. Serve the meal at the stated time. If you wish to offer prayers before or after the meal, don't pressure your guests, especially those who are atheists or of different religions, into participating and if the prayers are not of fixed wording, try not to be long-winded.
Set the table and make whatever other preparations are necessary before the stated arrival time for guests. Don't expect guests to assist you with setting up or with clean-up, but if they volunteer, feel free to allow them to assist (moderately).
If guests are assisting with setting up or with clean-up, remember, they're neither slaves nor hired help. Don't expect them to do all the work.
Please let new guests know if you have pets in case there are allergies or other issues. Please keep said pets under control when guests arrive.
If something is spilled or broken: clean up, accept any apologies graciously, and move on. Do not allow a broken lamp or wine stain to dominate the rest of the event - it's sometimes the price paid for hosting. If you have valuables you cannot bear to lose/have damaged, put them away prior to your guests' arrival.
Give clear directions and a phone number to the party site. Include parking instructions and indicate whether or not there is a fee.