The Hospitality Challenge Part II
I'm so glad you're back for part II of the Hospitality Challenge! Hospitality is something that is near and dear to my heart. If you didn't get a chance to read last week's blog post check it out before reading this post.
Today we want to dive into the practical aspect of hospitality – what to serve, how to spend the time, and the things that make guests comfortable. Let’s get to it!
Consider Who’s Coming -
Let’s start by considering who our guest (or guests) will be. Each person has unique needs that should be considered. For instance, when inviting someone elderly I consider do they need to use stairs to access the house or bathroom? If you invite a family, it’s important to consider small children. Do they need special seating? Are there toys or books available for them?
One thing I am grateful to have learned from my parents and grandmother is to have an extra plate. Both my parents and my grandmother are happy to add extras to their tables. You never have to wonder if bringing an extra friend or inviting that new couple from church is okay. They’re happy to pull up an extra chair and set out a plate. Growing up, my mom had extras at the table almost every night. Our friends came and went and Mom generously cooked big meals so there was always plenty.
Keep in mind that no situation is perfect. Your house is your home. It’s not going to fit everyone. That’s okay! Let go of the idea of perfection. You can find an excuse to never have anyone over if you’re looking for one. Remember, a warm welcome (even if you end up with an unexpected guest) is much more appreciated than a perfect house.
What to Cook -
This can be intimidating. Especially if you’re new to hosting. I recommend having a few signature dishes for when guests come over. But to be truthful, it doesn’t really matter what you make. I’ve been to friends’ houses and eaten eggs and ketchup. I’ve also been to a chef’s home and served a full afternoon tea. Both were delightful because I knew the host was giving me the best they could offer.
Meals are a wonderful time to share a piece of yourself. Consider serving a meal that your family really loves. Or maybe a recipe that has been passed down to you from your grandmother. Mrs. Chacko was a lovely woman from my church. She and her husband constantly invited people into their home. Mrs. Chacko made some of the best curry and rice dishes I’ve ever tasted. She was happy to share her families’ recipes that came all the way from India. She was also considerate of her guests and adjusted her spices so no one would be crying spicy tears at the dinner table.
While supplying a meal can be as simple as ordering a pizza, there are a few things to note. I learned the hard way to ask about allergies. When I was relatively new to hosting, I served shellfish to a woman who was allergic to shellfish. Thankfully, she was very gracious and ate the leftover chicken I had in the refrigerator. Now, when hosting someone new, I ask about allergies.
Your Environment -
Have you ever been to dinner and the couple across from you gets into an argument? It’s uncomfortable to say the least. When people come to your home you want them to be at ease; and guess where that starts? With you! If you’re completely stressed out and running around like a nut your guests will feel stressed too.
When I first started opening our home, I felt it had to be spotless. I would race around all day cleaning from top to bottom. If I think about it now, I laugh. Did I think my guests were coming with white gloves and a magnifying glass to spot dust I had missed? My sweet husband gently told me that he didn’t want to have people over if I was going to stress out so much. It’s still a struggle and I am often tempted to let stress take over. But I am slowly learning to let the trivial things go.
Another aspect to your environment is your house. You want guests to feel comfortable the moment they walk in the door. Here are a few tricks I like to use to help people feel welcome:
Have soft music playing in the background to help breakup any uncomfortable silence while you get to know each other.
Have seats ready and available. Bonus points if you have pillows or a blanket to help guests get comfortable.
Burn a candle, diffuse essential oils, or have dessert in the oven. Is there anything more comforting than the smell of warm chocolate chip cookies?!?
If dinner isn’t ready offer your guests drinks and chat while dinner finishes.
How to Spend the Time -
One of my signature moves when having new guests over is using conversation starters. You can easily find conversation starters that range from serious to hilarious. Put one at each plate and have guests go around and answer the questions.
Games are also a fantastic way to get to know each other while having fun. We enjoy playing Fishbowl, Cards, Dominion, and Exit Games. Remember that whatever you do, the point is to focus on your guests. It’s often easy to tune people out or monopolize a conversation. It’s important to really listen with the intent to understand. Ask open-ended and clarifying questions. Make eye contact and engage with what your guest is saying.
In closing, I want to encourage you to start where you are at. If you’ve never hosted before, don’t let this list overwhelm you. Everyone starts somewhere and no one is perfect. Your guests aren’t expecting perfection. Remember the times you’ve felt refreshed and use them to guide you towards doing the same for others.
Leave a comment below or in the forum letting us know your signature move when hosting. We’d love to hear your tips and tricks!
Happy hosting,
Abby
Comments