Be the perfect host

Be the perfect host

In a few days, it’ll be that time again — you know, time to either be a host or be hosted.

William Yeoward, “The Perfect Host: Your Entertaining Planner” (Cico Books; $19.95) guides readers through every step, from sending out invitations if you’re hosting to sending thank-you notes (or will an e-mail do?) if you’re a guest.

Learn about table settings (selecting china, tableware and silverware) and special occasions (Are you sure you’re ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations?).

The recipe-for-entertaining section includes desserts and cocktails.

It also has a guide for pairing food and wine.

And if you’re a recordkeeper, the last part of the book has plenty of space for you to take notes and keep tabs of who did what when, where and how.

Christmas decorating

Need a little Christmas now? Step into Mary Carol Garrity’s “Nell Hill’s O Christmas Tree.”

Garrity, owner of the Kansas City home-decorating store Nell Hill’s, shares her holiday decorating ideas and advice in the book.

It takes readers inside several homes, including her own 130-year-old Greek Revival house.

The book reflects the updated traditional look that is Hill’s trademark, a style that relies heavily on elements from nature and classic decorating accessories such as silver serving pieces and garden statues.

“Nell Hill’s O Christmas Tree” is published by Andrews McMeel Publishing and sells for $29.99 in hardcover.

Fly through chores

Do you have CHAOS (“Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome”)?

Flylady.net can help with that.

The site offers help with getting your home together, starting with 31 baby steps that whether you believe it or not, the Fly Lady says, really get the process going.

Step one is “shine your sink.”

You can sign up for e-mail reminders, ask the Fly Lady questions, read about other users’ problems, watch videos and even learn to keep a control journal.

Then you can shop for things (calendars, timers, dusters and more).

Speed decorating

Usually home decorating is an evolving process. But sometimes speed is of the essence — say, when you’re preparing to sell your house or you’re just impatient for a change.

That’s Jill Vegas’ forte.

Vegas helps would-be decorators fast-forward their dreams in “Speed Decorating: A Pro Stager’s Tips and Trade Secrets for a Fabulous Home in a Week or Less” ($21.95, Taunton Press). The book is in large part a typical decorating primer, but with a focus on getting things done fast.

Vegas guides readers through such steps as assessing a room, setting a timeline and shopping smart, and gives suggestions for specific rooms. She offers lots of handy tips, such as ways to corral and disguise lamp cords and quick ideas for freshening a kitchen.

Combined dispatches