Skip to main content

Hospitality for the Rest of Us: Inviting Folks In



This may be the hardest part for some introverts. You've created your safe haven from the world and now you're going to invite the world into it? Start small, ask someone you really like over for tea or coffee. You can either give a verbal invitation or via email. If the two of you communicate via text that also works. Since I know you're not making a lot of phone calls, I would not suggest that you make a special call, that might make them nervous, same goes for snail mail. If those forms of communication are rare for you, avoid using them to invite your favorite friend over for a cuppa.


Alright! You've mastered one friend, now maybe a few friends? Let people know who else will be there when you invite them or at least who else is invited. People don't like surprises for coffee for the most part. And just because someone is your friend, it doesn't mean they're your friend's friend. And a frenemy in the midst is not conducive to being real with one another. Take your friends' relationships with one another into account when inviting small groups over. It's one of the more difficult things in life to do well.

You survived small groups, on to open houses? I don't think this is as common as it used to be. First of all, you have to have a group of people that like coming to your house OR have a common interest outside of you (workplace, club event, etc.). Flyers work well for open house invites, little postcards (these are especially useful because you can hand them out at will and tuck into a pocket without getting lost), or a verbal invite followed by written confirmation of date and time. We generally invite people a few weeks in advance and talk about it, remind people the entire time leading up to it. Part of that LRH system. Just make sure you don't get fixated on who says they'll be there, instead let those who decline know that you'll miss them.

Inviting folks isn't that difficult of a thing, once you get over the hump. We all used to invite people to spend time with us when we were little. As long as you don't make it a big deal, it won't be. The important thing to remember is to have fun, even in the inviting!

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?

Together is a Beautiful Place by Bailey T. Hurley

  Have you ever wanted to be a better friend or been stumped by how to make your friendships more meaningful? If so, you might want to pick up a copy of Together is a Beautiful Place. Hurley does an excellent job of sharing ways to connect with people that you know and how to easily take your relationships from surface level to deep and meaningful parts of your life. One of my favorite parts of the book is when Hurley incorporates surveys and other data to give insight into relationship building. She shares that it takes 90 hours of social interaction to consider someone a friend. When you’re only seeing each other in passing, it will take much longer than when you carve out time to specifically be with people.  Overall, Together is a Beautiful Place is an encouraging and helpful read. Exactly what I needed as I continue to make friends in life.  I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for the purpose of review. I’m never required to say nice things about books but I’m always