Dear Ms. Mabel,

I love everything about hosting parties but there’s only one problem – my house is small and honestly, not that nice. I’m hesitant to have guests over because I can’t do it picture perfectly. How do I let this go?

Free my fear,

Orlinda, TN

Truth be told, as much as I’d like to blame this on a new age thing like social media, women have been struggling with this since the dawn of time. I bet even the cavewomen worried themselves silly over whether their wall carvings of stick buffalo were the right scale over top of their rock couches.

It’s just a thing we do to show we care. I don’t know about what, ‘cause no one else seems to even notice.

That’s the thing, darlin’. If you love showing hospitality like you claim to, then your guests aren't going to care about how nice your things are. Well, most of them anyways. If you find yourself trying to find ways to impress someone with your THINGS, then you need to step back and examine why. If the answer is rooted in insecurity or even jealousy, then you have two possible problems. One, you may need better (more genuine) friends OR two, if you’re friends aren’t the problem, you may need to get over yourself a little.

I know, that’s a little of that Mabel brand of tough love but you did ask for it, mind you.

Guests want to feel physically comfortable, not thirsty or hungry, and like they are wanted around. Keep your home tidy, throw some bleach in the toilet and make some yummy food. The best hostesses are the relaxed ones who join the party and have fun, not ones who fuss over the silly stuff.

Opening your home is a wonderful thing. Do it.

Let go of your need for perfection and do what you love.

Send pictures of your first party!