Skip to main content

Hospitality for the Rest of Us: Little Gatherings


In case you didn't know it, introverts, this is your thing. Seriously, I'm telling you, small intimate gatherings are the way to go. You get to talk to people and enjoy each other without the hoopla of a large social event.

These little gatherings can be as simple as milk and Oreo cookies or as elaborate as a ten course meal. It's your choice in regards to how much you want to do. The elaborate meals should probably utilize the LRH method so you're not in the kitchen the whole time.

One thing that I try to do when I have little gatherings is to use nice plates, even if it's Oreos and milk. When you use the nice plates, you automatically let people know that they're special and you put thought into the gathering. As I recently shared with someone "Our plates may be fancy, but we are not." I LOVE serving ordinary foods on fine china. I don't use the stuff often, but occasionally, I will pull it out for pizza delivery. It's just plates at the end of the day. But they're plates that say "This is outside the ordinary." But little gatherings are just as nice with paper plates. It's what you want to use. They aren't really the important part.

So you've got a menu, a guest or two, a place to sit. Now what? Well, you're going to have to push through that introvert hurdle and start a conversation, especially if you've invited a fellow introvert. I got lucky and added an extrovert to the family. She always does such a good job of breaking the ice and welcoming people and then because she's a tween, she disappears when the conversation is comfortable. I love that kid.

That's it. Little gatherings with just one or two people in your home for a snack or meal. Breaking bread together creates new bonds each time. It will probably be uncomfortable, especially if you've never done it before, but that will pass, probably while you're doing it. And you'll discover that once people become comfortable in your home, they'll enjoy themselves, too.

The key thing to remember is that you're asking someone to spend time with you. It doesn't matter the state of your home or the strength of your cooking skills. What matters is taking sometime to be with one another.

Little gatherings are great times to be yourself and to learn about other people. They can provide a little respite from the world. A little rest for the traveler. It doesn't have to be an every week or even every year kind of thing, but there will be people that you'll discover and you'll want to get to know them, so invite them over, have some cookies and milk.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Stories from the Kitchen: Taste and See

I celebrated my birthday last weekend. It was wonderful and the leftovers left me with a question or two. Find out what they are and how I'm currently answering them in this week's podcast. Stories from the Kitchen Season 2, Episode 2: Taste and See Notes from the episode: Taste and See by Margaret Feinberg Dad’s New York Cheesecake (from the back of a Philidelphia Cream Cheese package) 1 ⅞ cups graham cracker crumbs ¼ to ½ cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar, divided 2 lbs cream cheese (4 packs) 2 large eggs (lightly beaten) 1 tsp vanilla 2 tbsp cornstarch 1 cup sour cream Preheat oven to 450F Mix well graham crackers, 2 tbsp sugar, and enough butter that the mixture holds together. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish. Press mixture onto bottom and sides of a greased 9-inch springform pan. Chill in the freezer while preparing the filling. Mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth and light. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and cornstarch until just blended. S

Tasty Tuesday: Roasted Broccoli

I ran across this recipe on Pinterest the other day that was labeled " The Best Broccoli Of Your Life. " I normally either steam our broccoli in the microwave or saute it with olive oil and red pepper flakes on the stove top. I decided this would be something to try. I did the salt, pepper and olive oil part of the recipe. I didn't have the majority of the other ingredients. In fact, all I had was a little bit of Parmesan  It was wonderful. Not the best broccoli of my life, but honestly, it was pretty close. And if I had the lemon juice and all that jazz, it may very well be the best. What have you been eating lately?

Sweet Caroline by Kelda Poynot

  First off, my copy of Sweet Caroline  (aff link) is not a gifted review book, I spent my well earned Amazon No-Rush Rewards money on this book. Second of all, this is not my standard close door kind of romance. Third of all, this is a really fun read. Caroline is a hard working young lady that is doing all that she can to make ends meet and to get her graduate degree. Part of that work is renting out the room above her garage. When she answers the phone of an unknown number, believing it's a future tenant, she has no idea how much her life is about to change.  The young man on the other end of that call, Hashim, is tall, dark, and mysterious in all the right ways. The story quickly moves from the girl next door falling for a stranger to a fight for their lives. And in true real life fashion, those fights aren't just with external enemies but the ones we carry within.  It's an entertaining story of Caroline and Hashim, discovering their love for each other and fighting to