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Inviting people home can be an ordeal, particularly when it comes to preparing food.

Many women fear having others in their homes for a meal, or, find it difficult to prepare for guests in light of their busy schedules. Here are a few things you should remember when inviting others into your home.

1. People love to be invited. When we invite friends into our home we are letting them know how much we care for them and value them.
2. Our guests couldm’t care less whether or not the house is dusted and vacuumed. They are not focused on cleanliness or neatness, so your home should just be presentable.
3. Most people are extremely easy to please when it comes to the food being served. The key is to ask in advance about their food preferences, allergies, and drink preferences so that guests are not offended or embarrassed.
4. Let guests know in advance whether children are included in the invitation.
5. Keep the food simple, and do as much of the preparation in advance as possible. This will allow you to mingle with the guests, instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
6. Unless you are very familiar with your guests, do not prepare a dish you have never made or tasted before. It is just not worth the risk, especially if this is the first time you have formally invited guests.
7. Put pets in another room or outside. Not all people are animal lovers and want a cat or dog curled up in their lap.
8. Relax. Your guests have come into your home to spend time with you, and not to evaluate your abilities as a hostess.
9. Do not hesitate to ask for help from guests, if you are time-pressed.
10. When facing a time crunch, purchase food that is already prepared at the deli, bakery or market.

If you are still apprehensive about inviting people home, try having a potluck. This is especially good for those who are new to hosting parties and dinners and who are not of themselves. All you have to do is to decide on the menu and ask each couple to bring an assigned part. This is an excellent way for friends, or family, to get together. The load is shared, making it easy to act as a hostess/host.