pls help me be hospitable...

We do small groups at our house weekly... I always keep the food on the counter in the kitchen. It makes spills easy to pick up (and because kids help themselves there are spills), and it feels like home. It allows room to sit at the dining room table.

When I think of hospitality I want people to be comfortable. I want to enjoy my company and just sit and relax with them.

Soup is great! Crockpots can keep them warm or you can leave them right on the stove on low. I love the idea of soup, bread and fruit. Maybe a trifle for dessert.

The thing I try to keep in mind is this: are people coming to be impressed or to enjoy their time? If the answer is the second, don't worry about what they think. Just make it homey and comfortable and you will have a great time too!

I'm hosting a group of women this week...

Every time I get caught up in the details, I'm reminded to keep it simple and focused on the women attending. What will keep the conversation going? How can I best be present for the entire gathering without fussing over food and drink?

I'm having soup, salad, rolls and dessert.

Table will be set, ice water will be poured right before everyone gets here, coffee will be in carafes on table along with extra pitchers of ice water. Rolls will be in baskets on table. On the side buffet I will have two large crockpots of the soup with the bowls next to it.

I'll pass around the salad bowl and they can help serve each other while I ladle soup into bowls and place on table.


Carrot cake will be sliced at the table after everyone has eaten. They can help themselves to the coffee in the carafes on the table.


For those who arrive early, I have them do the water and rolls and coffee prep.

I've never had a problem with people helping themselves to seconds or taking care of each other. I don't like feeling "waited on" at someone's home. It makes me feel like a guest.

Try not to apologize for some thing that is lacking or not good enough in your eyes...because it can make people feel like you are putting on a show or worse, make them feel like they could never host. Imperfection is a gift.

Women are easy to please...they are usually just grateful they didn't have to cook!

Lambs, your smile, open door and kind heart are all that matter. In the end, it will be what they remember anyway.

Preaching to myself.

i try to think of traffic flow....you don't want everyone bottle neck and stuck in one spot

also, it is nice having all food on one table/or counter. put drinks in another spot, w cups , ice, or cans and bottles that are already chilled

being what i call "high formal" or more casual...i think folks feel better in a low key ---let them serve themselves, maybe do an intro, have prayer, and the say - help yourselves. Some will dig in, some will wait, others might not eat for some reason or another.

if you serve soup - you'll need a place for people to sit, they won't want to balance a place on their lap if it will spill

Sounds fun ! just clean the bathrooms and sweep.....most will just be thankful for the invitation and time to get out of their house for a while

And
Everything is okay.    Whatever style you choose, is okay.  Everyone's personality is different, so everyone hosts differently.     Most of the time I do buffet style.

I put everything on my kitchen island/counters/stove-top, and let everyone serve themselves.  I normally will put drinks/plates/silverware and desserts on a side counter that I have on one side of my kitchen.  Then, food on the island and stove-top.  And, with a crowd, I usually do paper/plasticware.  If it's only eight folks or so, I'll use my regular plates and silverware and glasses. 

I have several tables in my house, and two porches as well, so there's room to sit.  If you don't have a lot of room to sit, you might want to choose something other than soup.  I've done soup before, and it's turned out fine though, so whatever is in your heart, that's what you should do.    I kept the soup simmering on the stove top, and had bowls beside the pot. 

I've never set the table for buffet style...I've just had the dishes near the food. 

Hospitality is a warmth of spirit, and whatever you do in that spirit, I'm sure will be appreciated by all.    There is no right or wrong. 
Hope you have a nice time. 

I do a buffet style. I go to the warehouse club and get a veggie tray ($10) and a fruit tray ($12) as my two staples then in queso and chips or other things. But the fruit and veggie trays help add food at a great price!