My aunt has guests books in her homes. My grandmother was a huge fan of them. I love the concept of them and not too long ago I purchased a simple, white leather one that I keep in the drawer in the table in the foyer. My problem is that I keep forgetting to take it out when guests arrive! (Doesn't do much good closed up in that drawer!)

When I came home with it my husband rolled his eyes and said "you are such a snob!" I wondered about his perception of a guest book. I have tried to do some research and can't find all that much data. Sure, some may believe there is a certain snob appeal to a little book filled with names of people who have attended various parties. Many people today use them at weddings or funerals. Fewer have them in their homes.

I asked my husband why he thought having a guest book was snobby. I have always loved them. I have always loved perusing through my grandmother's guest books. She entertained often and she entertained many. A guest book not only helps to recapture an event... after all, when you are hosting you are too busy seeing to your guests to run around with a camera in hand. The names and comments that appear on the lined (or unlined as it may be) guest book pages can be as memorable as looking at an old photograph. As you peruse through pages you can reclaim a bit of your past. I think having a guest book is a fabulous thing. I only wish you better success at actually bringing it out of the drawer the day or night of the party!

I see a guest book more like a diary. It has detail without the flowery writing. It can evoke great memories and great emotions. Guest books are reminders of our past.

I loved perusing through my grandmother's guest books. I have one or two in my basement with many other goodies. My grandmother was a great documentor. (That looks funny... is that a word?) She brought her guest books to another level. She would keep one page free for guests to sign in. On the other page she often included seating charts, eg... the late, great Nancy Lancaster would sit next to the widowed Lady Taylor or Desmond Heyward... This way, when she had her parties her guests, many of whom were invited over and over again, would get to sit with different people. She also included her menus so that she could vary up her meals. I have had so much fun reading signatures,  checking out table settings and reading all her wonderful menus.

I am not nearly so organized. I do hope, though, that when the children are grown, I can keep party notes too.