2 Celebrities Interviewed starting with Lisa Vanderpump on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills

The intimacy of entertaining at home should not be feared though rightfully respected. Creating an enchanting and memorable experience for guests can be daunting—from juicy bites and moody music to fashionable attire and sweet hostess gifts—meticulous details simply come with the territory. Lisa Vanderpump from "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" and Alexis Bellino, from "The Real Housewives of Orange County," make hosting a party look extremely fashionable. FINE magazine interviewed the reality television stars to get their tips and advice on home entertaining.

FINE: Is there a single most important element to hosting a fabulous party?

Lisa Vanderpump: It’s not a single thing—it’s a multitude of things. It’s lighting, it’s flowers, it’s the food, it’s the company. It’s not a single element.

FINE: What are some things to consider when entertaining at home?

Lisa: The job of a good hostess is to create the atmosphere where your guests don’t have to work and can relax. That entails lighting; it’s paramount. It’s better to have the lights low and background music...turn it up as the party gets livelier later—background music always fills in the gaps of conversation. And always ask people before they arrive: "Is there anything you don’t eat?" Don’t tell them what they are going to eat because you want that to be a surprise, so just ask if there’s anything that they don’t eat. Whatever you’ve done, make sure it looks like you’ve made an effort, because the guests always take that as a compliment—that you think enough of them to set the table beautifully.

FINE: What’s better, cooking a meal for guests or catering?

Lisa: I never really get catering unless there are more than 14 people. In my cookbook, I have utterly delicious things you can do for a buffet. You can do a plate of salad, you can do a plate of meat, and you roast a couple chilies, things like that. But if you are actually cooking a meal at the table, have two courses prepared, have a delicious appetizer.

FINE: What is your favorite time of year to host a party?

Lisa: That’s a difficult one because I love summer and the outdoors, but I also love the whole ambiance of fire and inside dinners, you know? So I can’t be too specific about that. I’ll tell you that summer evenings, around sunset, outside in the garden is always beautiful that time of year.

FINE: Are their any rules when it comes to dressing up for a party? What about fashion tips for a host?

Lisa:  It’s rather strange unless it’s a formal dinner to be wearing heels in your own house. I kind of like the feeling of long dresses and wedges or trousers that have a slightly more relaxed feel—I think that’s important. Also, if you look pretty and elegant, but in a relaxed kind of way, if someone comes casual they’ll feel comfortable.

FINE: When hosting a party, what’s something you like to do to help your guests feel at home and comfortable?

Alexis Bellino:  I always have someone greeting guests at the door with a glass of Champagne. It instantly changes the mood of the guest and creates a party vibe. A host should never forget to have fun. While it’s easy to get caught up in the details of hosting, the guests can read that and it can change the mood of the party. If you look stressed out or tired, your guests might become tired or stressed out for you.

FINE: What makes the biggest impression on guests when entertaining at home?

Alexis: Great food! Eating is such a social part of our culture, and if other details are not perfect your guests will still leave raving about how fabulous the food was.

FINE: What’s the best hostess gift you ever gave someone?

Alexis: I’d have to say the best gift I’ve ever given was a massage at the Montage Resort. Especially after seeing how much she needed it after her party!

FINE: What was the most embarrassing moment you ever had at a party?

Alexis: Not remembering someone I had invited! It was just horrible.

FINE: What’s your preferred cocktail for holiday entertaining?

Lisa: Sangria is one of my favorite drinks to serve because it pairs so well with almost any occasion and food. Having  served this recipe for years in my restaurants, I’m excited to share it with the world. Besides, getting the chance to work closely with my daughter Pandora makes this an incredibly special family experience.

FINE: Any great gift ideas for upcoming holiday season?

Alexis: Your readers in Southern California can’t go wrong with a gift card to Skyzone San Diego or SkyZone Anaheim, the indoor trampoline parks that my husband and I own. It’s a perfect place for parents to let their kids get out all of their extra energy, and we have great fitness classes available for adults.