LESSON 4
TOPIC: Entertainment in the Home.
CONTENT: 1. Meaning of entertainment and table laying.
2. Importance of entertainment and table laying.
3. Preparation for entertainment.
4. Characteristics of a good host / hostess.
5.Table laying
Meaning of Entertainment and Table laying.
Entertainment involves inviting or receiving people to our home and giving them something to eat and drink it also means making people happy.
A male person who entertains guest is a host while a female who entertain is a hostess.
To entertain guests, a host or hostess must plan, prepare and serve good meals.
Occasions such as birthday parties, Christian ceremonies etc require different kinds of preparations and food or refreshments. It is therefore important to learn how to entertain guests in the home.
Table laying is the process of setting a table. It means the arrangement of tableware or table appointment (plates, glasses and cutlery) for each person who will be eating a meal.
Importance of Entertainment and Table laying.
Importance of Entertainment
1. It is a way of showing and sharing love
2. It is a way of building good relationship among people
3. It makes both the host/hostess and the guest happy
4. It can help people develop interest and acquire skills needed in hospitality, restaurants and hotels.
5. It helps people to learn and practice being a good host / hostess
6. It provides for relaxation which is necessary for good health.
Importance of Table laying
1. It makes the table more attractive.
2. It makes the meal more convenient to eat.
3. It makes the food attractive.
4. It helps in training younger children on table manners.
Evaluation:
1. Explain these terms:
(i) Entertainment
(ii) Table laying.
2. Give five reasons for entertainment.
Reading Assignment: Popoola, O.O. Home Economics New Concepts for JSS 1,pages 94 – 99.
LESSON 5
Preparation for Entertainment
There are many ways of preparing for entertainment. As a host or hostess you have to do the following
(i) Preparation and sending out of invitation and sending out of invitation letters or cards
(ii) Preparation of the house/venue for the occasion
(iii) Collection and arrangement of equipment and materials
(iv) Preparation of refreshment/food
The amount of preparation needed depends on the type of party and number of invited guests
(i) Preparation and sending out of invitation letters or card.
The invitation cards, letter or telephone calls must be prepared and sent early enough.
Invitation can be issued in person, on the telephone or by written cards. Formal parties are often by cards, while informed ones may be by telephone or face to face verbal communication. A complete invitation must have the following
i. The name of the host/hostess
ii. The type of event
iii. The date
iv. Time and place of the party
v. The name of the guest
(ii) Venue Preparation
The venue or place for the party can be the family house, or a place outside the home. To prepare the venues you must?
-Ensure the space is enough for your invitees.
-Provide enough seats and tables for your guests.
-Clean the place thoroughly
-Clean and arrange chairs and tables properly
-Decorate the tables with beautiful table covers.
-Use harmonious decorative materials to decorate the venue
-Make sure the venue is well ventilated and lighted.
(iii) Collection and Arrangement of Equipments and Materials
The equipment or materials which are often used in parties include musical equipment such as stereo and accessories, cutlery, serviettes, straws for drinks, food, drinks etc. All these must be carefully collected and arranged before the party must be done giving special attention to the expected guests.
(iv) Preparation of Refreshment/Food
The type of refreshment or food and method of serving will depend on:
(i) The type of party for instance tea party, cocktail, formal or informal, buffet parties.
(ii) The type of food to be served
(iii) The duration of the party
(iv) The space available in the venue
(v) The number of people to entertain
(vi) Number of available servers.
Some meals can be used or served for entertainment are jollof rice, bean pudding (moi-moi), pounded yam, fufu, garri, amala with assorted soups, fried chicken, fried beef, vegetable salad, pepper soup, fruit salad etc.
Snacks include-barbeque, beans cake, yam balls, cakes, chips, cake, chin-chin, doughnut e. t. c.
Evaluation:
1. List five materials / equipment needed for entertainment and table laying.
2. State four steps to take when preparing for entertainment
3. An invitation letter must contain:
i ……………………….
ii ………………………
iii. …………..................
iv. ……………………..
v. ………………………
Activity:
Plan a birthday party. Write an invitation letter for the party and plan the activities. How much will the party cost you?
Reading Assignment: Popoola, O.O. Home Economics New Concepts for JSS 1, Pages 94 – 99.
LESSON 6
Characteristics of a Good Host/Hostess
A good host or hostess should be able to perform the following functions
(i) Plan and take proper decision on the plan
(ii) Send invitations to guest early enough
(iii) Plan the menu and activities for the party
(iv) Make a comprehensive shopping and shop wisely
(vi) Prepare the venue before the party
(vii) Get dressed and ready to receive guests as soon as they arrive
(viii) Get everything ready before party time.
(ix) Introduce guests to one another.
(x) Involve all the guests in the activities without embarrassing the shy ones.
(xi) Serve food smartly
(xii) Ensure guest take enough food.
(xiii) Be friendly, warm and enthusiastic.
(xiv) Lead but avoid monopolizing discussions. He/she should be able to communicate freely with the guests
(xv) See guests off to the door and thank them at the end of the party.
Table Laying
Table laying is the process of setting a table. It involves the arrangement of plate, glasses and cutlery for each person who will be eating the meal.
Material for table laying include: table cloth side plate meat fork, spoon, meat knife, dessert spoon & fork, wine glass, placemats, napkins and serviette, glass cup.
Importance of table laying
Table laying especially for a party is very important because.
(i) It makes the dining table more attractive
(ii) It makes the food attractive.
(iii) It makes the meal more convenient to eat.
(iv) It helps in training younger children on table manners
Processes of Table laying
1. Determine the number of persons to be served and the menu before laying the table.
2. Make the table design simple & natural.
3. Use attractive materials for table design.
4. The table setting should complement the meal.
5. Avoid using high flower arrangement that can make conversation across the table awkward.
6. Clean all required materials.
7. Pieces of cutlery should be placed fairly close together.
Materials for Table Setting / Laying
i. Table cloth
ii. Plate or Crockery
iii. Cutlery ( spoon, fork and knife)
iv. Soup spoon
v. Glass cup or Tumbler
vi. Serviette or Table napkin
vii. Place mats
viii. Bread knife
ix. Wine glass
x. Centre piece: This is used to decorate the table. It can be a vase of flowers or a bowl of assorted fruits.
Evaluation
1. Who is a hostess?
2. Who is a guest?
3. Mention any 10 characteristics or responsibilities of a good host/hostess.
4. Define table laying / setting.
5. List 10 materials needed for table laying.
6. What are the processes of table laying?
Activity:
Brief role play of a host/hostess should be done by few of the students in turn, while others act as guests.
(i). Demonstrate how to lay a table using the materials provided by the teacher.
(ii). Make a pictorial collection of styles of serving food and show it in the next class.
Weekly assignment:
Popoola, O.O. Work Book on Home Economics New Concepts for JSS1, Pages 41 – 42.