Hospitality | Simple Mom

by Sandy on March 13, 2013 • 21 Comments Hospitality

Back to the basics: Easter dinner tabletop

The world is looking for something real, something tangible, and to be loved. So this year I’ve been thinking about a way to show the people in my life true love and authenticity, by sharing the common life around our Easter Sunday dinner table.

My goal this year is to not only keep it simple, but to get back to the basics of true hospitality, and not let a large dinner be ruled by my pocketbook.

Entertaining can be so overdone these days. Really, all we need is to invite our guests, create a warm place to gather (whether that be a sit-down-dinner or an easy buffet) and have a willing heart to reach out to others and include them in the day.

Delegating the food will definitely help with your budget, and will create a more “community-type” entertaining style. I’ve found that people expect to help. Most of our friends know how expensive entertaining can be, especially for a holiday meal.

This year, back to the basics Easter entertaining also means to use what I have (dishes, flowers, and greenery from the yard, even go through my stash of paper napkins), and work from the heart rather than the debit card or VISA!
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by Sandy on September 26, 2012 • 18 Comments food & drink Hospitality Your Home

Dinner happens.

Written by contributor Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer.

Autumn is a season of work, preparation, beauty and change. You may already be following my Autumn series, but for many, Autumn’s a fresh way of living, as we hunker down into our schedules, warm blankets, fires, and comfort foods.

To some it even brings a sense of loneliness (hand in the air! as I just sent my two sons off to college at University of Oregon). For sure, my cooking is changing now that it’s just my husband, myself and our daughter at home (and our food bill). Cooking for three is way simpler, and our fall meals are stretching nicely now.

But one thing that remains the same is that dinner happens.

Every night.
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by Sandy on July 4, 2012 • 15 Comments Hospitality Your Home

Making an easy summer dinner invitation

Written by contributor Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer.

Getting to know people takes effort. Friendships don’t just happen. It’s what we teach our kids: You have to be a friend to have a friend.

And making a “summer dinner invite” is a perfect way to get to know new people!

This is also the easiest season to make entertaining moments happen! Menu planning is easier, as you can have people enter your yard through the side gate (and never step foot in your home, if that is your fear).

The great outdoors gives you all the decor you’d ever need, or you can even meet friends at the park for a picnic…the list goes on and on.

Think of it this way: If you are a shy person, or you have a quiet family, challenge yourself to talk more to people. Encourage your kids to talk more to their friends and to adults. Kids need to be shown how it’s done, so it’s our responsibility as adults to teach them how to be hospitable.

Entertaining means that we have to put ourselves aside and be willing to ask others about their lives. It takes risk on both sides to forge a new relationship.
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by Sandy on June 29, 2012 • 15 Comments Hospitality Your Home

8 simple steps to planning a 4th of July party

Written by contributor Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer.

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and entertaining can be really fun and easy if you keep it simple and you have a plan! As I’ve reminded my readers for years at RE, learn to “KISS” and everything will flow nice and smooth. You’ll be a happier hostess, too.

KISS = Keep It Simple, Sister!

I remind myself of this when I try to do too much, or try to do it all. I learned years ago that delegation is the KEY.

Here are 8 steps that will help you plan your next outdoor party:

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by Sandy on March 28, 2012 • 47 Comments Hospitality Your Home

Taking a risk by hosting an Easter dinner party

Written by contributor Sandy Coughlin of Reluctant Entertainer.

It’s Eleanor Roosevelt who said that she tried to do something risky every day. Maybe something new, uncomfortable, or different.

Maybe that something “new” is hosting your first Easter dinner in your home this year, and you’re scared to death. I was fortunate because while I was growing up, my mother taught me a lot about entertaining—but I realize that many people didn’t have this sort of role model.

We can be so focused and locked into our busy schedules and routines that we skip one of the most important gifts that we can give ourselves and our children. That gift is practicing and showing our children what hospitality looks like.

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