While I love to host others in my home, I have to admit it’s not always the easiest or first thing on my mind. I think sometimes we just get “busy” or if I’m real honest with you, I’m just too fearful to ask others over and it’s comfortable being at home with the hubby and family. I also have been thinking on this lately and feel we’ve made hospitality into something “big” and hard when it doesn’t have to be! We often times want our homes and our lives to be perfect and “then” we will ask friends and neighbors inside. I’ve had to check my heart a lot lately over this and remind myself that I’m never going to have it all together… and that’s okay!
Opening our homes and our lives can be really simple and fun but it does take being intentional! Here are some fun ideas and thoughts that I’ve come across lately:
- Ask a neighbor over for coffee and muffins! Especially if you have little ones and the thought of getting your stuff together to host them for a big meal overwhelms you. Or simply grab some bagels or bakery items from the store. It can be simple and still a great time!
- Take hospitality outside! I recently saw an Instagram post where one mama just sets up tables outside and they have “community dinner”. The kids play and the mamas just bring what they were gonna be having for dinner anyway outside and the families all enjoy it together. That’s brilliant in a lot of ways – it lets the kids play outside and the clean up is minimal!
- Keep it simple! Stick with an easy dinner recipe that is a tried and true one. I have a great chili recipe that I’ve made for several events and everyone loves it and often asks for the recipe. It’s easy and I can pretty much make it from memory now. Put a crockpot of chili on, pull out the paper bowls and relax! While I love a good reason to pull out the Family China, I don’t always have the energy for a four course meal- and that’s okay! Most friends wouldn’t expect that anyway! And, If you are wondering about that chili recipe, you can find it at Cooking Classy.
- Center your time around something to learn – like a book club, or a cooking club, or a knitting club or a party where a friend is “selling” something like Doterra or Beauty Counter or Pampered Chef – I could go on and on with the party ideas. Find something you want to learn about and gather friends to learn with you and support their work too while you are at it!
- With the Fall Season, you can also do a Smore’s Night and “fire up” the fire pit outside and toast some marshmallows. Yummy! It’s also football season, which is always a GREAT reason to throw a party and watch your favorite team together. (Geaux Saints!! ha) Look at the season and see what you could plan! Christmas is also a great time to invite friends in!
- Just ask… I think you’ll be surprised! Just ask that new friend you met and want to get to know! Chances are, they are probably wanting to get to know you too!
More than anything, just open your homes and your heart and your lives for that is where you will find community with one another and opportunities to share Christ with those in your life.
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Here are some great resources addressing hospitality that you can purchase from Amazon. (These are affiliate links so we do receive a small percentage of your purchase to help support the work of On Mission Moms!)
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