Podcast Episode #55- Making people feel welcome in your home, down to the tiniest guest. Without loosing your mind and good intentions despite a busy schedule
Is Stress Free Hosting a thing?
Hosting guests without loosing your mind and your good intentions, too good to be true? my guest and dear friend Nicole who has such a gift for making people feel welcome even down to the tiniest guest shares how despite a busy schedule where she is literally flying all over the world for work, she manages to make time for hosting family and friends. She shares how her intentionality in hospitality was shaped from the time she was a child and how we can apply it to our own hosting habits and heart attitudes!
How does she do it?
Nicole and her hubby travel all over the world for work but still prioritize making time with their people. One of the ways they do that is by bringing experiences home from the places they visit. This is a great way to share and create a fun evening for your guests especially those who can’t or haven’t had a chance to travel.
Though she admits she is tired a lot of the time she never regrets making time and creating moments for friends and family to come together. It reminds us of why we do what we do, and fuels us to keep working hard and enjoying life!
Tips for enjoying the process of Hosting Guests and for making them feel welcome
- Make lists- use your phone or buy a dedicated book or journal and jot down thoughts for what you have coming up
- Make ahead when you have time, something as simple as pre-marinading meat then freezing for another day week etc
- Be thoughtful with your intentions, “What is the reason for the gathering? Keeping your intentions in mind helps remind you why you are planning a gathering in the first place
- If you are having guests spend the night have their towels folded on the bed, and a bottle of water waiting for them
- If it’s a holiday season do a simple decoration in the room ie.a small Christmas Tree if it’s Christmas time
- Photos of your guests so they feel welcome. You can have a frame that you change out the pictures, you could even get a digital frame!
- If you can us services like Insta cart. If you are in the midst of a very busy schedule this can cut hours out of getting things ready for guests.
- Prioritizing your time
- Take a Cooking class, then share what you learned with your guests. This can be helpful and fun wether you are a seasoned cook or a novice!
Nicole says they know it’s going to be a lot of work, but they also know they will really enjoy it. Don’t be afraid to uniquely share yourself with your guests. Gatherings don’t have to be a cookie cutter of what someone else has done. Get inspiration, go big if you like but don’t miss out on enjoying the process!
‘“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”’
Luke 6:37-38
Resources:
Other Podcast Episodes on Hospitality:
#9- The Art of Intentional Hospitality-Why your intentions Matter
#11- The Art of Intentional Hospitality Cultivating a Sweet Atmosphere
#13-The Art of Intentional Hospitality-Feeding and Entertaining your guests
#15-Christmas Traditions through Generations a conversation with my Mom
