Do you ask for RSVP for open house?

An 'open house' party or day is just that: open house, for people to come and go as they like. The whole idea is to provide relaxed hospitality, and the hosts must be the most relaxed people there, or appear to be.

You can't ask for rsvp, but to get an idea of catering it's okay to ask close friends whether they think they'll be coming. Explain you need a rough estimate so there's enough finger food and drinks for everyone.

But don't be annoyed if people don't turn up, or those who said they couldn't be there do arrive; it's an open house, after all.

Make sure the food and drinks are all things you can bring out in small quantities: finger foods that can stay in the fridge and be served cold, or heated in the oven quickly. Ahead of time, cut a bunch of curly parsley into sprigs and refrigerate them in a plastic bag: last-minute crisp green garnish gives food that appetizing just-made look.

Drinks are easy: have bottles of wine and so on ready to open, and don't even think about making a great big bowl of punch.

Keep glasses ready out of sight, just bringing them out as you need them. It's off-putting to arrive at a gathering to see rows of glasses ready but unused, and food that's clearly too much for the numbers gathered.

It's a far better look to just bring out what's needed when it's needed.

Have fun!