The Art of Entertaining

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After a visit from my daughter-in-law today, I got to thinking about how many people in this day and age don't seem to do much entertaining. I don't mean just having people drop by from time to time, but the act of actually inviting friends (and even family) over for dinner. It seems to me like this has more or less become a ritual for many, that's reserved for holidays, and special occasions. When I was growing up, we were always having impromptu dinner guests that consisted of family members who'd happened to drop by, or even some of my playmates who were invited by my mom to stay for 'supper.' The theory seemed to be that one could always throw an extra potato into the pot. Even the youngest guests had been taught to eat what was set before them, and were genuinely happy to receive an invitation. Do you do a lot of spontaneous entertaining today, or do you plan carefully, extending a more formal invitation? How do you handle people's food tastes? Do you ask them what type of preferences they have, or do you just 'wing it?' I find that people are harder to please these days, as some are vegetarians, and others are on special diets. What do you think? Does this deter you from inviting guests over for dinner etc. often, and do you feel you have to 'keep up with the Jone's,' as the saying goes, and that it's necessary to serve the 'latest' dishes and very expensive fare?