Where has all the entertaining gone? Newspaper society pages used to be packed full of articles about garden club parties, fund raiser dinners, bridge parties, and gala holiday gatherings all hosted in private homes.  It seems we have lost the art of entertaining. Have we become too self absorbed to make the effort?  Are our lives too busy to offer a heart-felt blessing by our simple invitation to share our homes?

Entertaining is one of the most giving gestures you can offer to others.  Your home and food present to others a view into your inner, private world.

   You expose many facets of your personality to your guests in ways that they may not have otherwise been privileged to see. From your taste in literature to the color of your bathroom you offer them a view of personal details.    Your personal, protected haven, the place where you seek safety and respite from the outside world, is generously shared with the valued people in your life, when you entertain.  Isn’t that the most precious gift we have to offer one another – ourselves?

Entertaining: not as simple as it sounds?  Perhaps it is intimidating to you:  your home isn’t “nice” enough, isn’t “neat” enough, isn’t conducive to people milling around in it. Perhaps you feel you are a private person.  And cook?  What is that?  Moreover, what is a pan, a serving tray?  Where is the stove? 

Please don’t let your fears stop you.  There are wonderful ways to accommodate every hesitation and after you take the plunge of inviting people over, the blessing for them and for you will be so great, that it may just become addicting!

So, come on!  Let’s plan a party!  These handy tips  will walk you through the planning process step by easy step.  Ready?