As we head into fall, it’s a great time for homeowners to take stock of whether they are equipped to comfortably host guests. Event planner, owner of The Graceful Host in Covington, wife, and mom of two boys, Ashley Cullichia Cash, offers her expertise.
First, Cash advises a host or hostess to think about what they themselves need through the day and make those same things available to guests.
“When somebody is coming from out of town, I want to make sure they don’t have to ask for anything,” said Cash. “I try to lay out as many things as possible.”
Cash’s list includes toiletries such as travel size soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and makeup remover wipes, which she picks up in the dollar store, stows in her linen closet and puts in an easily visible bowl or basket before guests arrive. She places an extra charger, a TV guide with basic channels and the WiFi code printed on a piece of paper on the nightstand and an extra blanket on the bed. For homes that have a playroom, office or other flex space that doubles as a guest room, she suggests maximizing the space with a Murphy bed (she cites IKEA as a great source) or pullout sofa. Her own home has a version of the latter with storage underneath for linens. In a twist on the traditional hostess gift, Cash likes to gift her guests with a locally themed memento from their stay and carries stationary sets, notepads and tea towels that work as both hostess and guest gifts in her store.
“It’s a little piece of New Orleans when they go home,” Cash said.
She also recommends using party supplies such as brightly colored paper plates and napkins that add magic to a meal or cocktail hour and make cleanup a breeze so homeowners can spend more time with their guests. In lieu of cooking, picking up local comfort foods (think classics like red beans and rice) from a nearby restaurant also translates into free time with guests.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff. “Guests want to spend time with you,” said Cash.
- Use a to do list app to get organized. Cash uses Microsoft To Do, which can be shared with others, making it convenient for family members to pick up items on the fly.
- A scented candle is an easy way to add something special to your home environment when hosting guests. “Hit them with something special,” said Cash.
“During COVID, a lot of restaurants pivoted into family style meals and are still doing them,” Cash said. “It’s the best of both worlds – you don’t torture yourself and by outsourcing it, you support local restaurants.”
Finally, Cash suggests steering guests to the area’s many attractions — in New Orleans, the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and Insectarium, Audubon Zoo, Magazine Street, French Quarter, and streetcar rides; on the north shore, the Southern Hotel, downtown Covington, boating on the Bogue Falaya, Global Wildlife Center, Insta-Gator Ranch & Hatchery, pumpkin patches and tree farms to name a few — so that their experiences outside the home are equally memorable.
“Going the extra step for guests,” Cash said, “makes your home a little more inviting.”
About the Expert
Ashley Cullichia Cash, opened a luxury wedding planning business in 2012 and later pivoted into party supplies and specialty balloon decor. Her downtown Covington storefront, opened in 2021, offers a festive and colorful array of party and gift items. “I love entertaining,” said Cash. “It’s part of my love language to take care of people.”
