Entertaining is Fun! How to Be a Popular Hostess

by Dorothy Draper

With its charming retro package, this book teaches readers how to host the most fabulous dinner parties, holiday meals, and weddings. Originally published in 1941, it was hailed in the original flap copy as "neither a cookbook nor a book of etiquette, but a vivacious and inspiring book on home entertaining."

Genres: Nonfiction, Historical, How To, History

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1941

Reviews

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I brag? I have an autographed first edition of this baby!! It was one of those extra-tongue-in-cheek wedding presents--a bubbly, utterly sincere WWII era entertaining guide for homemakers/early self help book. And I love it. To me, this is the best kind of history book. Sometimes when I read it I just can't stop laughing (for example, at the suggestion that one make one's front door as welcoming as possible by buying, among other things, a large, friendly dog to welcome guests... yes, a dog... no, not to be, oh, some sort of companion, no... but to join the wreath, planter, and fresh dark green paint in making a fab first impression of Your Home.) Other times I actually wish our society would go back to some of its old ways. [Some, not all!:] I mean, let's face it, when was the last time any of your friends invited you to spend a long weekend playing tennis and drinking gimlets at their "weekend house?" If you said recently... well, I don't believe you. Not until I see your front door.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I imagine that Dorothy Draper was the Martha Stewart of the 1930’s and 40’s - throwing fantastic parties and doing everything more beautifully than the rest of the women on earth. I loved everything about this “how to” book and frequently found myself reading sections of it aloud to my husband. (“Dear, why don’t we invite all your gentlemen friends over sometime so you can all listen to the big fight on the radio?” ) Some of the information was dated and funny to read from a 21st Century perspective like how many and what type of ash trays to have at your parties or bringing your weekend guests breakfast in bed. I’d like to try it but I’m afraid that the few weekend guests I have will think I’ve gone crazy and will not be interested in enjoying my hospitality again.

Reading this book also made me feel sentimental because this is EXACTLY how my grandmother would entertain and I wonder if she read this book as a new bride. On my last visit to her the week she died she still offered my husband a cocktail as soon as he came in the door. (Dorothy mentions that it’s okay to do this since the Repeal.)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in daily life before WWII, entertaining, or housekeeping. And if anyone knows a good butler looking for work, please contact me by telegraph.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredibly fun read. The style was so specific to the time and place it was written. Very enjoyable for someone interested in history.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started reading this book purely as research on Dorothy Draper, as I had to present about her for my History of Interior Design Class. I was surprised when I found myself racing to finish the entire book before starting to compile my research. I think a lot of what Draper had to say was relevant in 1941 when she wrote the book, is relevant today, and will continue to be relevant in the future. As a design student, she has inspired me, and I feel a humbled sense of gratitude towards what she did for the Interior Design profession.
In short, an enjoyable read for anyone that values an optimistic and realistic perspective on every day life.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely delightful book. Some of her advice is outdated, but charmingly so. Some of it is only appropriate for the wealthy, but she goes out of her way to give advice for entertaining on a budget, too. This book is really more than a guide to entertaining; it's about living well. It makes me even more curious to get my hands on her (apparently extinct) correspondence course, "Learn to Live."

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly charming book written in 1941 and reissued in 2004. Despite harkening back to a time when people had staff, this bagatelle makes an endearing point that we must all fight “THE WILL TO BE DREARY” and rally to be amusing and interesting.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would like this, but I was surprised by how much I LOVED it and just how densely packed it was with information. It had a lot more philosophy and self-help tips than I was expecting. Parts of it were similar to How to Win Friends and Influence People. The moral of the story: if you want to have a good time and really care about your guests, that is how you host a great party. This is not about recipes or decorations as much as it is about how to live life to the fullest and enjoy the company of our fellow human beings. My biggest takeaway was to make simpler recipes or things that can be done ahead of time so I am greeting every guest with a big relaxed smile and hug rather than frantically running around trying to get the food just right. No one likes a stressed hostess.
There is a reason she was the final word on decorating and entertaining mid-century. She is brilliant.

[Dara Grey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another period piece sporting really useful tips for entertainment even in the modern day, then by turns displaying some shocking signs of the times. Nothing really morally atrocious of course, just things like assuming the reader has access to a country house, a country club, or good friends with one or both. Centering travel convenience around the train schedule, for another example, or referring casually to singing around the piano as though it's commonplace for everyone (which very few people still do socially although I realize some do). The basic philosophy holds up, certainly - although some of the nitty-gritty is probably more applicable to those still in the country-club set there's something in here for practically any budget and living space.

Bonus: it's fun to look up some of the old-fashioned words for things and learn a little something new, too!

[Lexi Norvet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was kind of hoping this would have some more practical applications for my own party-throwing HOWEVER still a very fun read even if it spends a really long time begging you to polish your brass knocker

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Other than the outdated tips on cigarette brands and ash trays, very relevant and a great resource!

[Maris Ochoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it 6 stars. Also I wish I was her. A charming read, inspirational for any aspiring hostess no matter what your home looks like.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in 1941, this is to me a historical look at homemaking. I was amazed by how much of her advice is still relevant today but also noted some of the big differences. For example, smoking was completely commonplace and acceptable in that era. I like the overall attitude and tone of the book. It is positive and upbeat with a "you can do it" mantra.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review of this is short: LOVED IT (which is impossible to do if you just fully ignore the scary, exceptionally dated bits about "the quality of Negroe musicians for lively dancing"). It was published in 1941, and I think I should just include some great passages from it, but there's just too many. I should probably own this (and its companion, "Decorating is Fun!"

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! It's a light-hearted and fun guide to entertaining that is a total throwback to the 1940s. Reading it really puts into perspective how much things have changed in the last sixty plus years.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is completely awesome. Written 1941, so very dated (it's economizing to eschew servants entirely and only have a maid in twice a week, don't you know), but a huge ton of fun. And now I want to have parties.

[Martine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suggestions and anecdotes are simultaneously inspirational and charmingly dated. A must-read if you would love to entertain "someday."

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sure, it's about entertaining, but it's also about, like, life, man!

[Gina Whitlock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute "forties" look at entertaining.