For residents of New Orleans — especially those living on or near the parade routes — Carnival is a time for both planned and impromptu parties, hosting out of town guests and constantly reminding ourselves it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Since launching Bon Vivant, I’ve written several posts about entertaining, hosting and doing a few little things for yourself to maintain sanity and serenity throughout the season. Click through the links for tips and tricks that’ll get you to Ash Wednesday in one piece, whether you are the host or the guest.
Host family and friends comfortably, even if you don’t have a guest room
Provisional Lodging: Creating warm and inviting temporary guest accommodations
Set the tone for out of town guests
Well Received: Greet guests with a welcome reception steeped in local sounds, scents and flavors
Be a tip-top houseguest
House Rules: The art of being a great overnight houseguest
Expert gifting for guests
Don’t Show Up Empty Handed: Hostess gifts to get you invited back again and again
Avoid Carnival food and drink dilemmas
Provisional Lodging: Creating warm and inviting temporary guest accommodations
Gear up for the day with a little alone time
Hotel Style: Create a bedside coffee station for a decadent wakeup call
Happy Carnival and laissez les bons temps rouler!
Do you have a tried-and-true hosting or guest tip? Share in the comments or email Melanie@MyNewOrleans.Com.
