The act of hospitality is actually an art! An art that is studied, practiced and perfected over time, a natural gift for few but available to all who desire to open their doors and their homes to others.
I’ve envied women who so graciously and easily throw open their doors, offering a warm greeting with their wide smiles and welcome guests into homes that are able and ready to offer comfort, conversation, food and beverages! THAT is a hard act to follow, or so I’ve thought for many years.
My previous blog post about Hospitality spoke of my newlywed years and the anxiety and true fear I had of hosting. My Mother was a fabulous hostess: I watched my parents, and grandparents entertain large groups with ease, truly enjoying every minute. Sadly, I did not inherit their “natural” ability to host.
The fear of failing had kept me from trying! Fear will stop us from being the best we can be, but knowledge conquers fear every time.
I chose to learn.
I began by pulling out my red Betty Crocker cookbook I’d received as a wedding gift. The pages were still crispy white and stiff, I hadn’t used the book at all! I chose two recipes, entrees, to conquer. Meatloaf and lasagna were my meals of choice, because who doesn’t like meatloaf or lasagna????
Next, I chose two desserts, the make ahead types because I had a full-time job, after all! I was busy, and I was looking for easy, so I chose Texas sheet cake, and Lemon Delight. A dark rich sheet cake, and a tart lemony dessert with Cool Whip on top! The best of both worlds, in my opinion! You must realize that the Food Network channel didn’t yet exist, it was just me and Betty in the kitchen!
Now, I would recommend the Joanna Gaines’ Magnolia cookbooks, the Pioneer Woman cookbooks, and for Italian recipes, the Food Network chef, Giada De Laurentiis. These authors have recipes that are easy to follow, to prepare, and use ingredients that are readily available on your grocers’ shelves.
As my culinary skills gradually improved, I moved on to crafting easy home decor items. For a guide, (and I needed guidance!!), I turned to the home magazines, like Better Homes and Gardens, which is still one of my favorites. I had learned to sew a straight stitch in Home-Ec. class, so now I felt I could sew all of my own draperies and bedspreads.! Not so. But the boost of confidence encouraged me to keep going!
Learning. Step by step.
I would encourage you to start small, if in fact, you’re hesitant like I was. Start with a great flavor of coffee, or a Chai Latte. Invite a friend or neighbor over to share a cup. Add a cookie, and you just won them over for life!
When you’re up to it, go a bit bigger! Think Superbowl for your Fall Football friends, or an Easter Egg Hunt for your kids friends, Thanksgiving hosting because you’ve never taken a turn before…..gradually, you’ll be at ease with the larger groups as well. Remember, planning ahead avoids all kinds of surprises, which lead to anxieties and stress.
Most importantly, hosting is simply about making your guests comfortable, making them feel special, and letting them know that you enjoy their presence in your home. It’s about giving. Giving of yourself: your time, your talents, and your desire to connect with others. For the life of me, I don’t know why I was so afraid for so long. So much time was wasted!
And here’s another thing I learned, after you’ve given your best to your guests, you’ll realize that you’re the one who’s on the receiving end. The reward of hosting is always greater than what you’ve spent on time and effort. So WORTH it!
Remember,
Hospitality is learned.
Hospitality is tweaked, perfected by practice, and developed through delivery.
Hospitality is a natural gift for few, but available to all who pursue her, and isn’t that
the most GRACIOUS gift of all?
Blessings,
