Day 8: When You Feel Like Canceling the Party
Thanks for joining me in my “30 Days of Summer Entertaining” series.
I am so blessed by so many personal emails and comments that come my way. Really, not only are they encouraging to me in keeping up with RE, I know that when readers read the comments, they are inspired, too. Like this recent comment …
Recently, I was entertaining family. The week of the BBQ was not a good week and I did not have the proper time to prep as I had planned. I had wanted a “cutesy” red and white BBQ. I considered canceling the whole thing but thought about the philosophy I’ve learned from your blog and decided to go ahead with the get together even though it wouldn’t be “perfect”. I’m SO glad I did. No one even knew my original plan and everyone had a great time.
So many times I have a “grand” idea in my mind of how I want to do something.
I’d say that entertaining for me usually starts with the excitement over who to invite! And then I start planning. But I agree with Sheila, who left me the comment above. My ideas get thwarted usually by busyness and then it’s really tempting to cancel the entire dinner. For sure there have been times when I’ve cancelled for legitimate reasons, but our minds can really play tricks on us when we let “perfectionism” get in the way.
That’s why I love my KISS philosophy.
Keep it Simple Sister!
Next time you’re tempted to cancel your party, remember to KISS, and then move on to an easier plan.
Do you ever get freaked out after you’ve “invited,” and hen you feel like canceling?
Today is my 20th Anniversary, the best 20 years of my life. I am truly blessed!
If you’ve missed the last 7 days of this series, you can catch up now:
Day 1: Summer Entertaining is About the People
Day 2: When Perfect Robs You of Something Good
Day 3: Who To Invite to Dinner
Day 4: Planning the Menu for Outdoor Entertaining
Day 5: Setting the Table Using What You Have
Day 6: Using One Classic Water Glass
Day 7: Napkin Options for Summer Entertaining
Feel free to grab my button and share it with your readers :).
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...
Wow! I needed to hear this today. Planning a 85th birthday for my MIL this weekend. Family get together . Struggling with the details. You’re right. No one will know the original plan. :) Thanks for the gentle reminder. :)
Oh, and Happy Anniversary!
Congrats Sandy!!!……..we celebrate #25 in 2 weeks!
What a gorgeous bride you were……and still are!!
Congratulations on 20 years! Hopefully we will make it there as well.
Oh! Your wedding picture looks like a fairytale. LOVE all the green surrounding you. Congrats on 20 years!
I tend to make a mountain out of a mole hill…when I keep it simple, I free myself to enjoy it.
Thanks for this post. Awesome!
Happy anniversary! I love that photo of you and your husband.
I’ve never actually gotten to the point of considering canceling a party I’ve already invited people to, but I usually start out the planning process feeling really excited and then start getting frustrated the day of the party when nothing is quite perfect. I’m learning to go with the flow and not panic when things inevitably go a little wrong.
This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I have a 16th birthday party planned for my 16 yr old. My husband came down with the summer flu and has been laid up for the past 4 days. Everything we planned on getting done outside hasn’t been done. There was nothing major to accomplish, just little things and tidying up. The next 2 days are going to be near 100 here with high humidity, not the kind of weather to work outside in.
I did consider cancelling the party. I really did. Then I thought about my son and how he would feel, and I thought back to everything you have taught us about not having to have everything perfect and I changed my mind. The people coming to the party are my family and close friends and a bunch of teenagers. I don’t think that they will even notice that the flower beds could use some extra weeding or that the yard isn’t “perfect”. I really stopped and thought about the reason I’m having the party….to celebrate my son and spend time with the people I love. So plans are on, I’ll be cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I have a taco bar and an ice cream bar planned, so I’m sure my yard will be the last thing on anyones mind. Thanks Sandy. You made me stop and reflect, and move along!!
Happy Anniversary!!!!
I love what your reader said; I need to remind myself that my guests don’t know my original plans, so they don’t know how far I’ve been sidetracked! :)
Thanks for this series! I live with roommates and sometimes it’s a little more complicated to be hospitable than if I had my own home. In fact, I’ve put off inviting some people from work over because I didn’t feel like I could shape things up enough. But your series has convinced me that such an attitude is counterproductive!
Happy Anniversary and well done. I think lots of us get cold feet just before entertaining but deep inside we know that our true friends are not coming over to check whether you home-made every bit of the food, or check that your home is A1 clean and tidy – they’re just pleased to spend time with us.