[sak9645]

It is always polite to set out some foods and drinks appropriate to the time of day, but NEVER alcoholic beverages, even for an evening visit.

Don't plan to "serve" anything, as the social worker will want to spend the time talking with you, not waiting for you to bring out food. But right before he/she is expected, you can make coffee, boil some water for tea, and put some food from the refrigerator on the dining table or coffee table, along with cups, plates, and silverware.

If the social worker is coming in the morning, a few nice breakfast pastries or some bagels, fresh fruit, and coffee or tea might be set out on the table, possibly with some garden flowers in a vase nearby.

If the social worker is coming at lunch time, you might want to put out a few sandwich "fixings", like bread, cheese, tuna or egg salad, lunch meat, lettuce and tomato, etc., with appropriate condiments, some chips, and some canned soft drinks or bottled water. Again, things will look very dressy, even without serving fancy foods, if you put out some flowers from your garden or use attractive dishes.

You can do the same things if the social worker is coming in the evening. Do not expect the social worker to accept an invitation to have dinner with you, in most cases, but have some light, already-prepared foods set out. Cold foods like lunch foods are fine, or you can put out a few things that you might serve as hors d'euvres.

Keep the offerings modest. Remember that some social workers do NOT believe that it is proper to accept food from a person whose homestudy they are doing, so they may not eat anything. Others, who may not have these scruples, may be dieting, coming from a meeting where food was served, or observing religious or medical restrictions, so they may not be able to partake.

My social worker came in the morning. She had been to several appointments in a row, starting at a very early hour, so she was hungry. She was very pleased to have access to fruit, tea, and pastries. However, since she was watching her weight, she ate only a small amount.

Sharon