An Easy Plan for Entertaining
Throwing a small get-together
Last week, I wrote about hospitality and mentioned upcoming posts on dinner party tips, meal ideas, and games to help us prepare for summer entertaining. So, here is the first post in the series ~ An Easy Plan for Entertaining
When did you last ask a friend, “Are you free for dinner this Saturday?” Now that summer is approaching, you may be thinking about it. But inviting people into your home can be scary. If the thought of hosting a gathering fills you with fear or intimidation, you're not alone. For this very reason, many people shy away from practicing hospitality in their homes. There are other valid excuses, too.
Common reasons why we may never invite others over:
You are too busy
You are not a great cook
Your house is a mess
Your kitchen/house/yard doesn’t look the way you want it to
It costs too much money to entertain
Do any of these explanations resonate with you? I understand as several of these reasons kept me from entertaining in my home. But I want you to know that hosting doesn't have to be complicated. Please consider changing your thinking, and remember, it's not about perfection but about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for your guests.
You are not inviting people over to impress them but because you deeply value their presence. You are inviting others as an act of service to create a space where they feel welcomed and cherished. It is a simple opportunity to show love and care to others. People seek fellowship, friendship, and an invitation to your life. They want to join you at your table and break bread with you. So, let’s get on to the easy plan.
An Easy Plan for Entertaining
Invite your guests
Plan your meal
Make your home comfortable
Welcome your guests
Have fun!
1. INVITE YOUR GUESTS-
Decide who you want to have come and then ask! You can ask in person, phone them, or text them.
2. PLAN YOUR MEAL–
You do not have to serve a five-course meal when entertaining. Keep a list of recipes you enjoy and make those. You can keep it simple and don’t have to spend a fortune. To make it easy, I suggest planning three courses: a salad, a one-pot meal, and a dessert. You can serve soup, chili, pasta, or roast a sheet pan of protein and veggies. The meal does not even have to be homemade. You can serve a bagged salad, order a pizza, or a store-bought dessert. Entertaining should not be stressful.
Remember that your guests are coming because they want to spend time with you, not to judge your cooking skills. Plan ahead if cooking several things at once makes you anxious. Make the dessert the day before or chop vegetables for the salad. Many things can be cooked ahead, frozen, and reheated if necessary. Aim to finish everything 10 minutes before your guests arrive so you have a few moments to unwind before the doorbell rings.
Often, when people are invited to someone’s house, they offer to bring something. You can decide whether you want your guest to contribute to the meal by bringing a salad, a side dish, or a beverage.
3. MAKE YOUR HOME COMFORTABLE-
Being a gracious host means making your guests feel comfortable. Quickly tidy your living room and kitchen area, and clean the guest bathroom. Remember, your home does not have to pass the “white glove” test to entertain 🙂. You may wish to light candles or set a vase of flowers on the table. Have music playing as your guests show up. Think about what would help you feel welcome in someone else’s home and do that.
4. WELCOME YOUR GUESTS-
Be ready when your guests arrive and greet them at the door. Offer a beverage and something to nibble while you finish up last-minute preparations. Your appetizers can be simple. You can set out a cheese plate, chips and dip, nuts and dried fruit, or a vegetable tray.
5. HAVE FUN!
Try not to be stressed if everything isn’t perfect. Consider conversation starters and questions you may want to ask if you don’t know your guests well. Put fear aside and enjoy your guests. You will be so happy you did.
“If the home is a body, the table is the heart, the beating center, the sustainer of life and health.” Shauna Niequist
I hope you found these easy entertaining tips helpful!
With love, Natalie xx
This was a brilliant read! I am not a great cook, so I never invite people over for dinner. But you made suggestions to make it so much easier! Thank you for sharing your secrets of being a good host ☺️
"You are not inviting people over to impress them but because you deeply value their presence." 💗 I love this, and have already thought how much your approach to hospitality reminds me of Shauna Niequist's - and I LOVE that you focus on the welcome and the reason for the gathering, as you so beautifully capture here - to cherish others, and for them to feel seen and loved and truly welcomed in our homes ("white glove test" not required, ha! Just as well, I am laughing, having just had my mother-in-law to stay with us last weekend! 😬😂). It makes you think how many precious opportunities we miss for true communion and togetherness, because of worrying unnecessarily about surface appearances - I know this has been me, too many times - when in fact, what is really "seen" and remembered is what is felt. And I love, too, that you make the point that takeaout is good, too - again, focusing on the real "takeout", being that those we welcome leave feeling loved and nourished, in every way. I am loving this series!!!! (And those candles!! 😍) XOXO