Simple Hospitality in Your Home

Have you ever noticed the busyness of our lives these days? Sometimes you don’t even have time to stop and smell the lovely flowers or take in the beautiful aroma of autumn. I have to say autumn because it sounds much cozier than fall.

 It seems fall is the pre-party to our wintertime festivities, parties, and gatherings. You have fall festivals, fall gatherings, pumpkin carving, apple picking and the list goes on. It is all a huge pre-party and it is honestly my favorite time of year. Although you sometimes worry and feel pressure when you have a gathering in your home. You worry your home isn’t decorated exactly right, you don’t have enough room, the meal might become a fail, kids might suddenly get the jitters and not sit still, your outfit isn’t right, etc.

But why do you do this? Opening your home to friends (and new friends too) shouldn’t be a time of stress, it should be a time of community, closeness, relaxed atmosphere.

 

Simple Hospitality in Your Home

Be informal. 

Having kids instantly seems to make any party informal, and that’s okay! When you have an empty nest home and are able to take the time to prepare a white cloth table with nice dishes and meals, do it. But for now? Keep it informal with a simple table laid out and simple expectations for the evening.

Love your home. 

If you have one or two rooms in the home decorated to your satisfaction but not the rest, it’s okay. You still live there. You still are making a home. If you were done making a home what would be the point of going to Home Goods, thrift stores, or Pier1? It’s fun making a home, so enjoy the time it takes to make one.

Take out is good. 

Did dinner go wrong? No worries, laugh and tell your guests it is a pizza night. We had this happen recently. We were just taking dinner out of the oven when they knocked on the door, it was burned. We both laughed and told our guests it was a pizza night and what kind would they like? Laughter and messes are worth it for the connection and friendships.

Storytelling. 

It’s good to sit on the couch or outdoors after dinner and enjoy telling recent and past stories. My husband and I have been married 6.5 years and have quite a few good and funny (now they are!) stories, it pushes away the awkwardness and brings in a relaxing atmosphere when you tell a story.

Light a candle. 

Or two! I always light the candles in the bathroom and in the kitchen. It brings cozy feelings to each room and welcomes them in.

Accept help.

If they offer to bring something, let them! It helps them feel relaxed and a part of your home since they can bring something.

Peaceful Music. 

Have some music playing before they come. It will welcome them into your home without the silent noise and you can enjoy it while prepping the meal.

Enjoy their company. 

I try to have dinner ready before my guests come. So it is in the oven or on the table when they knock. It helps so I am able to sit down and enjoy seeing them without rushing around trying to finish last minute chopping or prepping.

 

Simple hospitality is meant to build connections. It is making a haven in your home for your friends and family to come in and enjoy you and your family. It isn’t meant to hinder us from having others over. It’s okay if you live in a home that is under 1,000 sq. feet. Don’t let the space close you off to others coming in because that isn’t what hospitality is about.

 

 

 

Have you had someone over recently to your home?