6 Ways to Entertain Naturally
Have you ever walked into a home for dinner and you watch the hostess and you think, “Wow, she does it so naturally?” Today I’m sharing 6 ways to entertain naturally, which I hope you’ll find inspiring, and that will really help you step out of your comfort zone and decide that you really can do this!
I just got home from BlogHer Food in Miami, FL. It was a fantastic time with friends, brands, and I’m grateful for Harry & David who sponsored a portion of my trip. I’ll be sharing more this week, but for now I’m sharing a more “serious” post today that has to do with perfectionism, which so many women struggle with.
Women and perfectionism.
One of the things I recently read in Dr. Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly, about perfectionism and women, hit me hard. It’s so true. Just read this and see what you think:
But the real struggle for women—what amplifies shame regardless of the category—is that we’re expected (and sometimes desire) to be perfect, yet we’re not allowed to look as if we’re working for it. We want it to just materialize somehow. Everything should be effortless. The expectation is to be natural beauties, natural mothers, natural leaders, and naturally good parents, and we want to belong to naturally fabulous families. Think about how much money has been made selling products that promise “the natural look.” And when it comes to work, we love to hear, “She makes it look so easy,” or “She’s such a natural.” – Brene Brown
I can see this big time in the blog world. That’s why I really try to keep things “real” here on RE.
A natural fit.
Entertaining does need to be a natural fit, a natural flow, and everyone should find a style that works for them. But it does take work. But not a lot of work. I really feel we bring the work upon ourselves – because, again, we’re trying to make it all perfect.
If we address the anxiety, and why we’re feeling this way, and set it aside to focus on the truths of why we’re having people over in the first place, natural will come!
6 ways to entertain naturally:
-Find a style that works for you. Stick with it and know that it’s okay to use the same dishes every single time you have guests into your home, or the same tablecloth, and that potluck is really easy. You do NOT need to make the whole meal yourself, especially if you can’t afford to. If buffet-style or delegation is your style – stick with it.
-Learn not to compare yourself with others. The minute you fall into this trap, it overshadows any natural God-given ability you may have. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, with the family God has blessed you with, and get your eyes back onto the purpose of entertaining.
-Don’t over commit. When you get yourself in over your head with too big of a party, or a plan, you lose sight of what could be the most incredible memories in your home. Don’t invite more people than you are comfortable seating around your table.
-Cook and serve what comes naturally to you. Don’t try 3 new recipes at the same time, so you have no idea what you are doing. Naturally, what you know or have memorized is what will give you the best flow as a hostess.
-Forget about your house. Realize that when you invite people to your home, they are coming to see you, meet your family, and learn more about your traditions in your home and around your table. Put your house and any silly thoughts of its imperfections aside, or it will rob you of the gifts around the table. Let who you and your family are attract the people coming into your home (and take the focus off your house).
-Don’t try to do it all. Include your family in doing chores, setting the table, and setting a standard that is “good enough,” but not necessarily perfect. At least in my house, it’s natural that we all work together. It’s a shame when the mom, or the hostess, has to do it all, and the family doesn’t participate. How will they ever learn as they get older?
Wow. I love this list. I love writing about these subjects because not only are they dear to my heart, they are real and painful for others—I know. I know because I get daily emails from people.
Which one of the “natural ways of entertaining” do you struggle with?
Above photo is product from Harry & David, which includes their Northwest Smoked Salmon – a great idea for Father’s Day! :)
Get the Recipe:
Delicious Appetizer Platter with Smoked Salmon
Ingredients
- 3 Pears
- Smoked Sockeye Salmon
- Salami with fennel and garlic
- White Cheese
- Roasted Hazelnuts
- Crackers
- Marionberry Pepper Jelly
Instructions
- Slice the pears, salami, and cheese thinly. Lay on a platter.
- Lay out the salmon, adding the crackers and nuts.
- Place the jelly in a small bowl with a spoon.
- Serve.
Hello and welcome to my home and table!
I’m Sandy—lover of food, family, cooking, THE BIG BOARD, travel, and bringing people together. Through great recipes and connection around the table, we become better, stronger, and more courageous people. Feasting on Life is real, and every time we do it, we grow a little more. Read more...
So true, but also difficult to follow. I know my friends aren’t coming over to see my house, but the perfectionist in me needs everything to be…perfect! I do look for easy appetizers to keep me out of the kitchen when guests arrive. The appetizer platter is a perfect suggestion, and easy to modify to your own taste. Thanks for a great post!
Brenda, yes, a work in progress always for the perfectionist! But the more you do it, and focus on letting go of the silly things, the easier it becomes (in my humble opinion). :)
Beautiful platter of food!!
Great food for thought! Nice to enjoy the people you’ve invited!
For me I struggle with my house. I always want it to be guest clean from top to bottom. I have a small rancher so in order to go to the bathroom you have to walk the length of my house which means walking by the bedrooms. So I feel they have to be clean and the doors have to be open because if you close them up the house feels tiny. Which means sadly I don’t entertain as much as I would like as I work full time and some nights and weekends so cleaning gets done but not “guest clean”.
Great advice! I was a perfectionist for the first half of my life. It still rears its ugly head occasionally, but for the most part I’m over it. And, believe me, life is so much better!
Years ago I had a friend who entertained every weekend, and every single time she grilled turkey burgers! Never apologized for it, never mentioned it, just slapped those burgers on the grill. Everybody always had a fabulous time!