Entertaining vs. Hospitality

As you are preparing for your Thanksgiving celebration, whether you are Host or Guest, keep the stress at bay by remembering this:If the turkey isn’t done on time (or over-done!), if no one likes the cauliflower dish you slaved over, if you accidentally break a wine glass….it is OK.  When someone is offering hospitality to others, they are offering to serve them, to open their heart and home to them.  While the table setting, decorative elements and recipes ARE wonderful elements, they are not the sole focus of the gathering.  Entertaining others can often lend itself to focusing on how beautiful everything looks, how “impressive” everything is.  Entertaining can often feel….stressful.   Hospitality just feels good.


When we are gathering with friends and family in the name of hospitality, no one cares whether there’s dust on the baseboards or if the dishes all match.  No one notices the paper napkins instead of the pressed linen ones.  Everyone feels welcome and comfortable.  We tuck ourselves into bed with full tummies and warm hearts, thankful for the blessing of loved ones and happy memories.


This blog, like many others, spends a lot of time on creative details for parties and events.  We are always looking for fun ideas to spruce up a gathering and help with your entertaining needs.  Not everyone has the gift of entertaining.  That’s OK.  Don’t let that be the cause of undeserved worry or tension because we all have the capacity for hospitality.  Don’t spend Thanksgiving Day apologizing that the turkey isn’t moist enough, that some guests have to sit on folding chairs or that you didn’t make enough gravy.  No apologies for opening your home and pantry to others!  Just enjoy the day and the chance to be a blessing to others. 


Have a safe, happy and YUMMY Thanksgiving.  I am so thankful for YOU.