Day 1. Why Entertain: The People
Today my 31 Days Series to Stress-Free Entertaining begins here at RE. I hope that you will be able to follow along every day, because I promise that you will be inspired with new ideas, and that you will be challenged in many new ways. Much of the “core” of my series topic is found in my new book.
You can also join these fabulous ladies in their thought-provoking posts – for 31 Days! And thank you again, Nester, for your brilliance and for inviting us all along …
31 Days to a Less Messy Nest – Nester, Nesting Place
31 Days to Grace – Emily, Chatting at the Sky
31 Days to More with Less – Jen, Balancing Bedlam and Beauty
31 Days to a Better Photo – Darcy, My 3 Boybarians
31 Days of Autumn Bliss – Melissa, The Inspired Room
31 Days of Living Simply – Emily, Remodeling this Life
31 Days to an Inspired Table – Kendra, My First Kitchen
So what’s the big deal about inviting people into our homes? Why does it even matter?
I explore this deeply in my new book, The Reluctant Entertainer. I have been receiving emails daily regarding how this book has helped many understand and realize what’s been missing in their lives. It’s encouraging to me when I read their stories.
This note came from a young mom: I thought of you on Saturday when we spontaneously had a family of 6 over for dinner. Simple meal – Shepherd’s Pie and salad – but a good time was had by all. I don’t think they are invited out much, they seemed hungry for connection. It was good for them and it was good for us. I feel like we are really getting back in the game after being on baby hiatus…
My answer is this. We long for soul connection with others. More importantly than a Martha Stewart event or a perfect table setting, we focus on those gathered around our table. For some it’s a new way of thinking. To others, we’ve already experienced the joy that comes from melding our lives with others.
One example is the night when we took these pictures. Our kitchen was in shambles, in the process of a complete remodel, but we decided to invite 40 people over for a barbeque. We made different kinds of burgers and everyone else brought the side dishes. Even though my house was a mess (literally), we took the party outside and our guests stayed for hours enjoying one another’s company.
What we need to think about is why do we entertain in the first place? The people.
It’s been proven that hospitality benefits us in the long run because we will have healthier and longer lives than those who are lonely. – The Reluctant Entertainer
How can you, this month, have people in to your home and focus on them, instead of how you will be perceived as the perfect hostess?
(By the way, if you’re looking for an Autumn-ness Delicious Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie recipe that’s good enough for company, here’s the perfect recipe for YOU!)
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I love having people over tho with the chaos in life right now I haven’t really wanted to or even wanted to accept invites. It is time to plan something BEFORE my parents may end up here to live. :o)
Sandy, you are so right…just do it! No one should have to spend a week full of cleaning and shopping to enjoy time with friends. If we all waited for the perfect house and to become a great cook we would indeed be lonely people. Most people hunger for sharing time and laughter with people who offer comfortable hospitality. Yesterday we had friends over for a quick evening visit and we served fresh fruit and pound cake and had a plate of cheeses with crackers. We had a great time with no pressure. We poured some coffee and a few glasses of wine and had a wonderful time. I never once thought about not having a chance to clean the kitchen floor before they arrived and I doubt they noticed it needed to be done!
October 1 is finally here . . . I have been waiting with excitement.
Fondly,
Glenda
I’m really looking forward to this series! I have loved reading the book. You are teaching me a lot! :)
xoxo
Sandy, it has been awhile since I sat down to just immerse myself in reading your blog as well as several others. I will be taking time now to follow everyone’s 31 days blogs. As for entertaining this month: tomorrow we are getting together with all of our exchange students and then the end of the we will host all 10 of them again in our home along with their friends and host siblings for a costume party! What fun it is, working with these kids!
Yes. We long for soul connection. We want things to be pretty, and tasty, and well-organized. . . but we LONG for soul connection. Thank you for helping us with this!
As always you encourage me and inspire me to just do it! We started a small group bible study in our home again this year and it took me three days to get ready. I was glad I did it because my home looked great(I know that’s not supposed to be the focus) and we all had a good time. We’ve got to do it more often especially because we have the time and are always looking for things to do now that we are empty nesters.
I need to sit down and read your book all the way thru too! Thanks again! Connie
Totally enjoyed your blog today. We are just getting into our entertaining season and there is never enough time it seems, but it is so worth it. We seem to do really well in the spring and then the busyness of summer slows us down and then we crank up and start over again in the fall each year. I completely agree that people are in need of connection. What an easy way to meet the needs of others by inviting them into your home for a simple meal…ours are usually super easy and on occasion very elegant, the point is just to do it. I would be delighted to be invited to someone’s home for a meal of hot dogs and potato chips…it’s the people connection that is so important.
I’m so looking forward to this series! It has been a while since we’ve done much entertaining & I’m ready to get back in the swing of things. Going to order your book now…
I am looking forward to your 31 days. We will be doing a lot of entertaining in our new kitchen soon:) I need the help:)
Sandy – I just found your blog through Emily’s (Chatting at the Sky). I have to tell you, I like your style!! :) I have been inspired by reading some of you recent blog posts! I am all about connecting with people and love entertaining for that reason too. You have spurred me on though to do this even more. I’m thinking I just invite and then figure out what to do for dinner – not the other way around! :) Bless you!
I’ve said it before but I felt compelled to say it again. I’m so impressed with the topic of your book! It is much needed today in a society that connects more via the web and less in person. You make such great points, I just know your book is going to be so successful and I’m so excited for you!
Can’t wait to check back for the rest of your series and the others too!
Such great thoughts on hospitality-we usually make things simple to entertain, I get lots done the day before (if we’ve planned that far in advance) and then always make something I know is going to work, or call for pizza! It’s not always about the food but about the connections-those are the most important!
Your book is such a gift to fearful, non-entertainers like me. I always feel like… oh I’ll have people over when…. with an excuse of something that’s not done… or when my kids aren’t so messy… or when i’m not working so much… etc.
But the seasons of life are always busy, and you offer such good reasons to entertain anyway.
I’m so looking forward to easy tips to reduce stress or serve large numbers!
Thanks for writing this. Can’t wait for more.
I need to really sit and read through your book. I’ve been reading bits and pieces, but really want to just curl up on the couch and read. I was going to say that the one thing that our guest commented on last monday was that I thought through what they all like, and trust me, there was a myriad of likes/preferences, etc..
I’m so excited for this series by all the bloggers contributing. We had a wonderful time this last monday entertaining about 12 people in our home. It was low key, fun, and I actually didn’t delegate this time but prepared everything, and with only have a few hours to pull everything together, it all worked out. Hmmm I might have to post on it sometime.
Couldn’t agree more. It’s totally about the people. I’d much rather eat lame food with great people than eat great food alone.
Looking past the imperfection of my home (which is a little apartment) is something I have to work hard at doing. But I’m learning that being intentional about community and relationships is – as you said – more important than being Martha Stewart. I’m looking forward to reading more real-life stories, advice and wisdom and working toward practically applying it in our home over the next 31 days!
I hope by the end of the month I’m inspired to have a very imperfect dinner party. I just know you’ll inspire me! xoxo
Amen. That’s all I’ve got! :)
Love that you had 40 people over for dinner in the middle of a kitchen remodel. Entertaining is a way of life for you and it shows, I want to be you.
I love people and getting to know them better. I love your ideas for entertaining and focusing on the people instead of doing everything so perfectly. It certainly takes the pressure off.
Btw, I love your book! I won a copy in a giveaway at Melissa’s The Inspired Room. I tell everyone about it. I will have to write a review on Amazon.
Looking forward to your 31 days posts.
Blessings and love,
Debbie
I can’t wait to follow you and the other gals for the “31 Days” event!
Sandy,
I am inspired to step out (again) from my comfort zone and invite more people into our home this month. I plan to follow all of you gals during this month of “31 Days to…”. It’s my busiest month with several community events, but I endeavor to reach out to others in very intentional ways.
Thanks again for the encouragement and ‘where with all’ to do just that.
Peace.