Sometimes my husband invites his male friends over to our house and since I take pride in being a good hostess I naturally want to display it.

They usually already ate at their own homes so I concentrate on preparing enough snacks and drinks, sandwiches and the like. Often I also bake something like cupcakes or cookies.

I try to be there if they need anything without getting too much in the way. But here's the problem. Since it's a men's gathering I don't really have a place in it.

At the same time I want to be at home and be a good hostess whenever we have guests and I know it's also something my husband wants.

It's just that I can't do much while sitting in the kitchen in case they need something. When I start reading a book for example it often gets interrupted by them asking for something they'd like to have as a snack.

So I'm often torn between being a good hostess who cares for her guests and not really being able to do anything for myself the whole time.

I'd love any advice or suggestions on this!