- If you have a number of duds among your friends, it's far better to invite them all together to a party.
Ask yourself if you really owe them hospitality, or if there's any good reason (beyond mere weak-mindedness) for inviting them, then do your very best to make the party a success.
- Take trouble over the flowers, and think of some interesting sandwiches and cakes for tea.
- Arrange a bridge party, if possible. A treasure hunt in couples is easiest and best for shy people.
- Turn on the gramophone record with a potpourri of old-fashioned tunes, and make guests write down the names of each tune as they recognise it. The record will have to be played over two or three times, and will take up longer than you imagine.
- Give as many prizes as possible, as we are all human enough to enjoy small success.
Information from The Perfect Hostess by Rose Henniker Heaton, Conran Octopus, 9.99