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Guest Lists
Celebrations, even simple ones -- which often are the best ones, do take some planning. I often think about a party, the time to have it and then the guests. Of course, I often do the reverse as well, starting with the potential guests and move on to what would be enjoyable and what time of the day.
Guests
I enjoy inviting people who might enjoy each other, simple enough. Yet, I also like inviting people of different ages, backgrounds, perspectives as well. Yet, there is something about politeness and manners that is a common denominator for the parties in our home, with few exceptions. I learned my lesson in inviting a number of people who were friends of friends once when we had a dinner party. It didn't work out well from my perspective, with some monopolizing the conversation, several needing to smoke outside right before dinner, etc.
Yes, I learned from that, but was polite all the way through the evening, but did I repeat those guests? No.
During the Holidays
To invite someone who is alone for whatever reason is not a responsibility for me but a joy, and how I introduce them and keep the conversation going, to include everyone, is a bit like serving food -- everyone can be involved, with a little encouragement. Perhaps another blog can be about dinner conversation, something I have presented as seminars on cruise ships, where you are seated often enough with the same people over a number of nights and the issue of what to talk about comes up, again and again. Yes, that will make a good blog entry, as important as the food we serve it seems to me.
Holiday Wishes
So for the holidays, I wish you a meaningful time, in reaching out to others to create goodwill and peace for all of us.

Time of Day
Personally, I like day time parties, sometimes for brunch but often for a leisurely lunch on the weekends, preferably Saturdays, with friends. Those friends with children are often quite booked up with soccor etc, so then I switch to evenings, not too late either, sometimes starting at 5:30 and ending by 9 or even earlier.
Ending Time
Of course, putting out the cereal boxes, for the next morning breakfast, when you want guests to leave is so unsubtle, but quite frankly, I enjoy a short party, sometimes difficult when you are the host, but still there are ways, even pre-announcing that "to keep the evening enjoyable we are having a dinner party from 5:30 to 8:30 and hope you can come," is my email or telephone message.
Menu
The end of a lovely evening depends on a good beginning, a timely one as well. That's where planning a simple but enjoyable menu comes in. The party should be enjoyable, I always think, by the host as well, so make something you know well or have tried out at least once and don't have too many side dishes or courses.
Perhaps I am going off the topic here but to bring it back, I like to think what would people enjoy eating that isn't too heavy, to complicated, and fits their lifestyle.
I don't go crazy with fixing food for each person on a diet, just try to prepare good, honest food that is well prepared and give small enough portions that those who want more can, those who don't or shouldn't, well hopefully, they won't.
Another thought: I don't apologize for my food, just keep the conversation going, and frankly don't have too many disasters.