This past month I stumbled across The Reluctant Entertainer. Wow. I LOVE her philosophy. I'm adding this to my sidebar. I actually read quite a few blogs regularly, but I only put a few of them on my sidebar.
Keegan and I love having people over for dinner because:
a) I'm an introvert and I'm more comfortable in my own home than anywhere else. He's an extrovert and loves showing off his office and sharing his tea collection.
b) We don't like driving at night, and if we host we don't have to worry about how tired we get or whose turn it is to not have a glass of wine (um, okay, lately that's been me by default, but soon we'll be switching again)
c) We love our friends and getting to know new friends.
d) We can't afford to go out to eat. Even if we could, you can't sit in a restaurant forever the way you can in someone's home.
e) We like trying new foods, perfecting our favorites, and sharing them with our friends.
f) We both get a thrill out of the planning phase...what to eat, drink, what music to have in the background, whom to invite, etc.
We had a Chinese dinner party early in October, and then two weeks later I had the book club. I always struggle with getting things just right, and trying to balance that with enjoying myself. But most of all, I want the guests to have a good time.
This blog by Sandy Coughlin offers tips and stories of how she accomplishes these goals. I think I'd like her book as well.
I have a deep desire to keep having people over even after the baby is born. It will be even more important to not try to have everything perfect, as I will be even LESS in control with an infant. Plus I may have to ask people for help, or accept their offers, which I usually turn down. I like to do things MY way. My way is going to have to change.
Last year I wrote about two friends who are examples to me when it comes to entertaining. I like that they always make their guests feel special. That is something I strive for, but it does not come naturally. What comes naturally is wondering if I got everything just right, and so on...the STUFF rather than the PEOPLE. It should be the other way around.
The Reluctant Entertainer website is a great place to get encouragement, inspiration, and concrete ideas if you need help in this area. My mom and I had an interesting conversation about this once. We were trying to figure out what specific things people do that make you comfortable in their homes. What are your thoughts? I remember a few things we noted that we've experienced:
When stopping in, being offered a drink within a few minutes is very nice.
As an overnight guest, it is nice to have a box of Kleenex in the room by the bed.
These are little things, but they make a big difference. They might not come naturally the first few times you entertain, and they won't come at all if your house isn't as clean as you'd like it to be--and that's what's on your mind. Whatever level of clean that is, is up to you. But your house should be as clean as it needs to be for you to be at ease when you have people over. I like FlyLady for this. For my tips on how to get started on FlyLady, read this post I wrote.
I love New Year's Resolutions. (Shocking, I know.) 2011 could be the year you get into FlyLady. It could be the year I have people over and focus on my guests instead of myself and the stuff I prepared. I'm praying for that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment