21 Signs You're a Hostess With the Mostess

You've memorized all your fave cocktail recipes, and you're considering buying a letterpress to manage all your handmade dinner party invites. You might just be a real-life hostess with the mostess.

By: Erica Reitman

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Group of young adult having lunch outdoors. Sitting at wooden table and eating barbecue, drinking beer,wine and soft drinks. The table is packed with food and drink. Top view, toned image.

Photo by: istock/gilaxia

istock/gilaxia

1. Your cheese plates have their own Instagram account.

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2. You like to stock enough wine for any occasion that might pop up. Yep, A-N-Y occasion.

Wine Cellar With Glass Walls

The glass walls of this wine cellar turn the bottles and their colorful labels into art!

From: Lori Paranjape

Photo by: Paige Rumore Photography

Paige Rumore Photography

3. You have so many vases and dishes, you have to color code them.

Open Shelves With Bottles and Teacups

Instead of hiding away serving ware in a closed-off cabinet, choose the prettiest pieces to display on open shelves. Here, wine glasses and platters join a collection of glass bottles and antique teacups to dress up a dining room.

From: Katherine Carter Design

Photo by: Amy Bartlam

Amy Bartlam

4. The thought of having a dinner party without place cards makes you feel panicky.

Easy-to-Craft Golden Pomegranate Place Cards

Keep your dinner drama-free and avoid a game of musical chairs by setting out place cards for your guests. For a look that's both seasonal and sleek, make these gilded place-card holders by spraying pomegranates with metallic paint, then inserting a handwritten place card in the crown. Inexpensive and homemade, they're the perfect way to make your place setting feel extra special. Get step-by-step instructions: http://www.hgtv.com/handmade/how-to-make-pomegranate-place-card-holders/index.html

5. Your vintage corkscrew collection keeps getting bigger and bigger, and you’re not even sad about it.

Quirky Collection of Corkscrews

Antique corkscrews are unique wall decor in the kitchen.

From: Melanie Millner

Photo by: Melanie Millner

Melanie Millner

6. Paper napkins? What the heck are those?

Casserole Dishes

Pretty ironstone china casserole dishes or soup tureens are great presents on their own, but are better when filled with monogrammed linen napkins, silver napkin rings and some flatware. A collection like this makes a thoughtful gift for a newlywed or someone who loves to entertain.

From: Marian Parsons

7. You have a signature cocktail — for every week of the year.

Beer Margarita

Photo by: Rennai Hoefer

Rennai Hoefer

8. Forget fruit-infused water — you’re all about fruit-infused ice cubes. For, uhm, your signature cocktails, of course.

Ice Cube Cocktails

Photo by: Liz Gray

Liz Gray

9. You collect pics of your favorite table centerpieces instead of family photos.

Tall Centerpiece at Center of Symmetrical Fall Tablescape

Symmetrical Fall Tablescape With Tall Centerpiece

A symmetrical arrangement for the table's focal point makes a visually strong statement. In this case, the tall stacked centerpiece is flanked with two bouquets that were made with the same flowers and produce in vases that are the same size and color.

10. You joined Spotify just so you can make dinner party playlists.

Musical Motivation

Make a morning-specific playlist and use it to time your departure. When that final song comes on, everyone will know it’s time to be-bop out the door!

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

11. You know seven foolproof ways to remove red wine stains.

Cleaning Supplies

You don't need the most expensive cleaning products or tools to successfully clean your home. Common household items used in creative ways can often save money and get the job done. But a word of caution: even "natural" products can sometimes cause a reaction on different finishes and furniture, or pose problems for those who suffer from airborne or skin allergies. Test new products in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure they work for you and your home.

Photo by: ©iStockphoto.com/Tatomm

©iStockphoto.com/Tatomm

12. Instead of a junk drawer, you have a “balloons and confetti” drawer.

Ice Cream Balloons

These floating cones are a sweet way to decorate for an ice cream party! You’ll need: latex balloons, a bottle of latex balloon sealant, helium tank, ribbon, scissors, craft knife, brown craft paper, brown wide-tip marker, pencil and double-sided tape.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

13. Family and friends who get an invite to your Thanksgiving dinner feel like they've won the lottery.

Herb-Roasted Turkey and Gravy

Fresh parsley, rosemary and thyme give this turkey a savory flavor your family and Thanksgiving guests are sure to love. Turn the pan drippings into a thick gravy that's the perfect complement to your bird.

14. You have a platinum card — at your local party store.

Birthday Party Balloons

A homemade sign and colorful balloons let party guests know they're in the right place.

Photo by: Paper Crush

Paper Crush

15. There is a special section in your closet for hanging all your handmade garlands.

A Fabric Garland in Tones of White and Gray

A Feminine Garland in Tones of White and Gray

When white tones are layered together, the look can become glamorous, modern, traditional, romantic or casual, depending on the textures and materials used.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

16. Setting up a hot toddy station is a normal Tuesday night for you.

Host a Holiday Party with a Hot Toddy Station

Keep your guests warm and in good spirits with a simple spot dedicated to mixing the perfect cold weather drink. The wrap-around porch of the 2015 HGTV.com Holiday House is the perfect spot to welcome guests for holiday soirees. Upon greeting, invite guests to mix up their own hot toddy to help beat the cold and enjoy the festivities.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Photo by: Flynnside Out Productions

Flynnside Out Productions

17. Some people have personal trainers or accountants. You have your own handwriting/letter artist on call.

DIY Ice Cream Cone Invitations

Add a fun, handmade twist to ordinary party invitations with a cute and clever ice cream shape. You'll need the following materials for this nifty project: several sheets of card stock in pastel colors, brown or tan textured card stock, scissors, felt-tip pen, pencil, glue stick, invitation envelopes, hole punch, ribbon and a downloadable ice cream cone template.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

18. You’re seriously considering replacing your family photos with pics of Julia Child.

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vintage empty frames on a brocante market

Photo by: Peter Hermus

Peter Hermus

19. You’re on a first-name basis with the dude at the gourmet cheese shop.

Cheese Plate on Slate

Goat cheese is one of the most versatile types of cheese available. In addition to having a wide variety of tastes, it's also sold in many different shapes: logs, wheels, cones and wedges. Serving Tip: Coat the top and sides with a mix of lavender, thyme and black pepper to add texture and make it more appealing to guests with different palates

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

20. Your martinis have five different grades of “dirty".

Gold Cart With Mirrored Glass & Graphic Black and White Wallpaper

Modern Bar Cart

Entertaining is made easy with this rolling bar cart. The stylish piece fits perfectly in the corner when not in use.

From: Sally Wheat

Photo by: Laurie Perez

Laurie Perez

21. Iced tea spoons, oyster forks and individual salt cellars — you own them all, and you don’t care who knows it.

Oysters Are the Star

Displaying oysters doesn’t have to be boring. Although I love a great metal basket and burlap, for a modern take on an oyster roast, feel free to add a touch of whimsy. Pick colors and products that compliment oysters. You can use a silver china plate from a yard sale or spray a little metallic paint on a white plate from a discount store; these are perfect ways to display your oysters. For variety, select an assortment of oysters, with information about them on note cards placed next to them. You can create these note cards by applying a fun print or a picture taken with your phone to card stock.

Photo by: Nicole Caudle

Nicole Caudle