Hosting the Holidays With Joy, Part 2

November 12, 2021November 10, 2021 RefreshHer2 Comments

I love to have guests in our home and my guest book is reflective of that, but I also know that it takes a lot of planning, work and preparation. It’s my desire today to complete the list I started earlier this week and give you some tips about how you can have guests in your home this holiday season and do it with joy, rather than fear or dread.

Reason #5 why we dread hosting is that we don’t feel like our home is good enough or big enough.
I can remember days when we lived in our ranch style home and didn’t have a big enough kitchen to host my whole family – I believe we had 14! What to do? We set up tables in our humble basement. It certainly wasn’t fancy, but we managed! I even had to use the church oven because at the time, my oven was so small the turkey didn’t fit inside! But all that isn’t what I remember! I remember that we had so much fun! At the end of the day we all piled into our church van and went to Bristol Speedway to see the Christmas lights! I think if we don’t make a big deal about being squashed together, our guests won’t either.
If you don’t feel your house is “nice” enough, do what you can to make it fit for company –
~Clean the spaces you’ll be using. Make the bathroom shine. Unclutter all counters. Dust. Vacuum. Sweep off the front porch. Make sure the kitchen sink and stove are clean and ready for use.
~Don’t apologize for your house! If you start pointing out all its flaws and problems, you’re not going to make your guests feel welcome. Use what you have, make the most of it and be thankful. It’s God’s provision for you. Use it for His glory.
~Focus on your time together – not on the beauty (or lack thereof) of your home. Turn on a playlist of instrumental music for background beauty. Light the candles. Set the tables and turn your interest to your guests. That’s what they’ll remember.
Reason #6 why we fear hosting is not knowing what to do before or during the meal. Perhaps you fear “small talk” and not knowing what to say. Those gaps in conversation can feel awkward. Or if little ones are tearing through the house you feel your blood pressure rising.
~Planning ahead for children is your best option. Have a little box of things they can play with in a secluded spot. If it’s a pretty day, offer outdoor activities – balls or jump ropes to play with. If they’re older, you could set out coloring books, board games or puzzles.
~Share blessings. Why not plan on going around the table or the room and having everyone share three things for which they’re the most thankful? Again, focus on your guests instead of worrying you won’t know what to say. Ask them questions about their lives – “How did you spend Thanksgiving when you were a child?” “What family traditions did you family do on the holidays?” “What you favorite memory of Thanksgiving?”
Reason #7 – Fearing how to keep everyone entertained.
~Plan for some board games or group games for the time your guests hang around after the meal. Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese Pizza is a hilarious game that will loosen everyone up!

~Maybe everyone could work on a huge puzzle together. Set it up on a game table and let guests work on it throughout the day.
~Have a simple craft the children can work on. There are so many ideas on Pinterest!
~While the guys watch the football game, have the ladies work on crafting a simple Christmas ornament together.
~Don’t miss the opportunity to turn everyone’s hearts upwards to the Lord. Read Psalm 100 together. Stop and give thanks in prayer to the Giver of every good gift! Perhaps you could also sing a song together. Dear friends of ours always close our fellowship at their table by singing while our host plays the guitar. What a blessing that time always is!

I pray that these suggestions have been helpful. If you have other needs or questions, please feel free to leave a comment, or email me using the address on my contact information page.

Here is a detailed post about how you can be a gracious guest, and also tips on hosting. You’ll find hostess gift ideas that will be a small way to say, “Thanks for inviting us!”

Here’s a favorite Cranberry Streusel Muffin you should consider for Thanksgiving morning breakfast!

Christian Life · entertaining · hospitality · Hostess Goals

Serve the Gospel

April 4, 2018 RefreshHerLeave a comment

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Wow. I love being a hostess and having people in my home! It’s just a blessing to throw open the door and invite them in. I love sharing what I have cooked or baked. It’s also fun to just share a steaming cup of coffee in ceramic mugs. It’s fun setting out my pretty dishes, linen napkins and basket full of silverware so everyone can help themselves to a casual buffet-style meal. I also love setting the table for a sit-down brunch or dinner. Either way, bowls full of steaming hot foods are shared while the conversation pours out easier than the full pitcher of tea.

Southerners are typically noted for entertaining. We have books written on the subject and even magazines overflowing with recipes and tips for success, but for a follower of Christ, if one ingredient is missing we will have served that food in vain. As a child of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must share the Gospel. It must be as natural a part of our conversation as adding the bananas to the Banana Pudding. Oh yes, it’s that important. Let me share why.

First, our home is really the easiest place in which to share the Gospel – the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. We’re on our own comfortable turf. We have control over the conversation topic and we can steer that subject matter in a causal way to the Theme of Themes.

Secondly, the Gospel should flow from a believer’s heart in a way that serves others. Because Christ served in humility by dying on the cross, we learn to serve others by sharing with them the Truth that will do far more for them than our fried chicken or Coconut Cake.

Lastly, our ultimate goal in opening our home must come from a heart that desires to bring every person who walks in our door to an understanding that Christ loves them and offers eternal life through a relationship with Him. The conversation may be brief, but it should be even more important than making sure everyone’s glasses stay full.

How to do that?

Look for an opportunity to share your own testimony of how you were saved.
Ask gentle questions .
- How do you see God at work in your life right now?
- Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
- Do you believe in a heaven and hell?
- How do you think a person goes to heaven?
Share with your guests something the Lord has taught you in His Word.
Open the door for them to return to do a Bible study with you.

This conversation should be as natural as you offering another biscuit. Make it part of the table talk as you’re enjoying dessert and coffee. The more we do it, the easier it will become.

Even if your guests are all believers, share the Word together. Ask what God is teaching them, what burdens they are bearing and how you can pray for them, then do it before they leave your home.

I’ve failed miserably at this over the years, but the Lord has been awakening in my heart the need to serve the Gospel each time my doors open to a guest. It’s the most important Theme of any social gathering in my kitchen and I pray it is in yours, too.

How do you share the Gospel in your home?

Denise Signature 150 px

Gifts · hospitality

Hostess Gift Guide

December 6, 2017December 5, 2017 RefreshHer3 Comments

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When someone invites you into their home, they’ve gone out of their way to do so. What do you to do let them know how much you appreciate their kindness and hospitality? There are lots of creative things to do, and I got to share a few fun/frugal ideas on my daughter’s You tube channel today. I hope you’ll go here and check out the whole video we did together!

My mind has been reeling since we filmed that video and I’ve thought a whole list of other ideas you could give to say Thank you!

Buy single, large plates as you find them on sale or at Goodwill shops. Use them to fill with piles of cookies or goodies. No need to return the plate!
A special book or cookbook is a long-remembered gift.
Bags of Coffee or a box of Teas, as well as a container of cream, if you know their preference.
Room Spray in a mild fragrance
Bath splurge items – Bath bomb, bubbles or special soap
Special Kitchen soaps and dish cloths
Oven mitts, or hot pads tied together with a pretty ribbon
Olive oil – Even special flavored oils would be nice, accompanied by dipping spices
Bakery or homemade bread and a jar of jam (maybe even also homemade!)
Gift card for a special place for dessert
Pretty pads of paper for kitchen memos and a pen
A guest book for them to log the guests that come into their home.
Cloth napkins
Spices or herbs in pretty jars
Holiday cookie accessories – Sprinkles and/or cookie cutters

Don’t go empty handed this holiday season. Be a gracious guest and let your hostess how much you appreciate them inviting you into their busy lives and home!

Do you have another suggestion for a hostess gift?

Denise Signature 150 px

entertaining · Gifts · home · Thanksgiving

Being the Best Guest/Best Hostess

November 23, 2016November 23, 2016 RefreshHer3 Comments

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If you’re blessed enough to be a guest in someone’s home for Thanksgiving tomorrow, let me remind you of a few things that will make your hostess sorry to see you leave!

Take a thoughtful Hostess gift – even if you’re going to your mom’s! It doesn’t have to be expensive – just thoughtful. Here are some ideas:
- Tea Towel – A Christmas one she can use right away would be nice!
- A Bag of coffee, Tea or Hot Chocolate – Find something they’d love. Maybe include a couple pretty mugs (unless the already have 1,000,000,000,000)
- Homemade cookies or muffins on a pretty platter they can keep.
- Homemade bread wrapped on a cutting board they can keep.
- Delicious smelling candle – Those 3-wick candles are wonderful!
- Box of chocolates
- Guest book
- Holiday magazines, slipper socks and packages of hot chocolate so she can relax after the crowd has gone home!
Offer to help and then stick around and do it. Don’t say, “Let me know if I can do anything and then leave the room. Offer to:
- Wash up any dishes in the sink
- Fill glasses with ice
- Pour beverages
- Cut the pies
Keep your children in tow. In other words, keep them from destroying your host’s home. Bring things for them to play with while the meal is being prepared and keep them out of the hostess’s way. Teach them to respect the property of the host. We recently had little ones in our home (2 and 4) and you hardly knew they were in the house. They played with toys, chatted, obeyed their parents, and were a joy to entertain!
If you’re staying overnight, remove the sheets from the bed the morning you leave and fold them and stack them on the washer. Remake the bed without the sheets and leave the room tidy. Place wet towels and washcloths on the washer, too.
Let the hostess rise in the morning and have a few minutes to get things together for breakfast. It’s nice to get the coffee going and breakfast laid out before guests are staring at you! =)
Don’t stay longer than you’d arranged. Leaving promptly is as gracious as arriving promptly.

Now if you’re going to be the hostess, here are a few reminders that will keep your guests wanting to return:

Have something your guests can snack on before the meal is ready. Crackers and cheese, a veggie tray or chips and salsa would be great.
Be prompt with the mealtime. If you invite your guests for dinner at 1:00 don’t be peeling the potatoes then. The gravy should be ready to pour at 1:00. There’s nothing worse than wondering when the meal is going to be ready.
Think ahead about who will be there. If little ones are coming, make it as easy on the parents as you can.
- Have a place for the children to sit so they’ll be comfortable and won’t have the parents worrying that they’re going to destroy your white covered dining room chairs.
- Put away anything you don’t want broken.
- Have a little stash of toys you can bring out for the children to play with.
- Set a table just for the children. Include crayons and coloring place mats and fun treats.
Provide snacks in the room for overnight guests. Packages of crackers, granola bars and water bottles are sufficient. Pieces of fruit would be nice, too.
Provide your Internet password for overnight guests.
Let them know exactly where the towels and washcloths are. Keep your pretty “untouchable” towels stashed away. Nothing like standing at the sink with drippy hands wondering which towel to use!
Have breakfast foods prepared and frozen. The night before, put breakfast foods out so your guests can help themselves. Set out coffee cups and creamers, too.
Make your home inviting by playing soft music and lighting candles.
Be interested in your guests. Ask them questions and listen with caring ears. Have prayer together before they leave.

I’ve had the blessing of having VERY gracious guests, and I’ve also been the recipient of VERY gracious hostesses. Let’s each put our best foot forward and strive to be a blessing – no matter if we’re on the giving or receiving end of the Thanksgiving Day celebration!

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!!!

With a grateful heart,

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