Yes it takes time, money and energy. Three things that we seem to all be running low on. But there is very few things that are more satisfying than entertaining in your home. It is something that we need to do more often and talk about it all the time. I figure if I write about it, maybe it will encourage us to put something on the calendar.

Let’s list some REASONS TO ENTERTAIN:

1. It will make you clean your house. There is no better motivator than having people over to your house. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it will feel good to at least be presentable.

2. It will make you get over your insecurity that “nobody will want to come over to my place, it’s too small, I have no one to invite.”  Be confident, be at ease,  and just think of an excuse and host something! And remember some will say no. That’s OK.

3. It will give you a reason to use your wedding gifts, your china, your serving pieces, your ice bucket, wine glasses, a tablecloth– anything you don’t normally use on a regular basis. Dust them off and use them!

4. You will always feel closer to the people who have been in your home as well as you in theirs. You never really know someone until you have been to his or her house.

5. Once you invite friends over, chances are they will invite you over to their house and suddenly you have a social life!

6. Save money. Add intimacy. People feel like valued guests if they have been a guest in your home. A home cooked anything is less expensive than going out. Heck, we have Wegmans and Trader Joe’s now to help.

7. You can bring people together and make introductions. What’s better than making memories?

8. You can set an example to your children and even your pets that your home is  meant to be a welcoming place . If you are married, it helps validate you as a couple and it’s something you work together on. If you are single it will make you feel like a grown-up. I can do this – I don’t need a spouse or a big house.

9. You get better at it the more you do it. Dare I admit one of our first dinner parties we did not even check if we had briquettes for the grill and served virtually raw chicken.

10. You are giving. You are giving of yourself to others. And really nothing feels as good as giving. Shoot, I didn’t even mention the joy of left-overs. Party On! Let’s get the invites going. 

Tags : Entertain, Entertaining