The lost art of inviting people over {stress free tips to make people feel welcome}

The lost art of inviting people over

She set a place for her honored guest. A clean cloth napkin, a teacup, a plate of tidbits and a flower. Her heart went into each step, delighted to have her visitor spend an hour feeling special. In five minutes, she created a place of sanctuary. An offering far greater than the place setting..

A heart gift.

We tend to make hospitality so complicated! It isn’t our fault, really. The lost art of inviting people over has been replaced by unrealistic expectations.

Social media reels skew our view of what we should be offering to people. A soiree, an over-the-top get-together with a band and floral arch…based on curated highlights of a preplanned photo shoot.

Did you catch that? Curated.

I too create content, hoping to bring encouragement and joy. Sometimes, I surely fall short.

In that vein, I also try to show real-life messes, fluff-free mishaps, AND pretty things that brighten a daily perspective.

Whispers of comparison and doubt and lack, convince women that opening their doors to others is a monumental task they simply cannot accommodate with a busy life.

Expectations seldom lead to a joyful encounter.

Hospitality is an amazing gift. We just need to deconstruct the unrealistic expectations and make it a good experience. For the guest, AND for you…the hostess.

I still remember the first time someone I received this beautiful invitation for a cup of tea. It left me stunned and feeling exceptionally special to this friend. 25 years later, the impression still inspires me to shake off the pursuit of perfection, and open the door.

As is.

This is the lost art of invitation. A practice worth our time.

Simple ways to invite people without extra stress

What if there were a few super simple tips to make invitation easy? Let me share a “template” that makes it a five-minute prep to get ready for tea. This is my go-to way to invite people over, regardless of health, finances, or oodles of extra time!

(P.s. I’ve even got you covered if you DON’T enjoy hospitality 🙂 

A cup– I happen to collect vintage teacups. Some guests enjoy picking out their favorite patterns. Why tea? It is easy. Hot water, tea bag. Done. However, it can be ice water, lemonade or cocoa. Anything will work!

A napkin– A cloth napkin lends an air of elegance for your guest. These are SO easy to find at thrift stores in very pretty patterns. Often a set of for for about $1. But, paper napkins do the trick just as well.

A plate– Do you have a small plate? Perhaps you can designate one pretty dish just for company. Then you won’t feel any stress trying to find one in a pinch. Make it pretty, just for fun

A snack- I’ll be honest here…most guests just pick at the snack. I’ve created homemade scones over the years, and alternately, just put a few nuts and fresh berries etc. out. Often, they smile and are flattered you THOUGHT of them. It can be popcorn, apple slices, or if times are lean, nothing at all. This is totally optional.

A flower– Be creative here! If you have a flower to cut, wonderful. Otherwise, snip anything green or natural to add a pleasant surprise to your offering. If you have a small vase (hello thrifting again 😉 ) or a tiny cup? Anything goes.

 

The invitation is the gift…keep hospitality simple

Ecclesiastes 11:4 reminds us,  “Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.”

So it seems in regards to extending hospitality.

In creating sanctuary at home, even in the stormy seasons, we benefit from making time to invite someone in.

Waiting for the perfect time usually results in never extending an invitation at all.

Our homes offer a safe spot to land, which is a valuable gift. Never underestimate it!

YOU have much to offer… your presence. As a bonus, you’ll likely feel rejuvenated by the time together too!

Wipe off the crumbs from a seat, a quick wipe of any visible counter, and follow this five-minute pattern to make inviting people over simple. You’ll both be blessed.♥

My current favorite hospitality reads

• The Lost Art of Hospitality: Making People Feel Welcome in Your Home 
• Extraordinary hospitality
• Teatime discipleship: Sharing Faith One Cup at a Time
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