It's Not So
Hard Being Ready For Guests
Reprinted
from
The Indianapolis Star
12/23/01
Wouldn't
it be nice if we were ready to receive guests at our home anytime,
any day?
Well, this season, it just may happen to you more often
than usual.
So,
how do we make our homes "guest-ready"? You'll be
surprised that it really doesn't take much. No matter what
lifestyle you lead, you can still make your home an open house to
drop-in friends and family without the last minute fuss.
Our
homes should be a safe-haven for us. And, that atmosphere will
carry forward to anyone who enters our domain. In essence, it will
give them the same or similar feeling that it gives us.
For
instance, if the room has soft lighting, furniture situated in a
comfortable setting, and some decorative touches, it would give
people a relaxing feeling.
On
the other hand, if the home is cluttered, it is not a friendly
environment for you or anyone else. It basically signals
"dangerous environment--stay out."
I've
noticed how some people gravitate to a particular person's home
and this place often becomes their home away from home.
If you were to ask them why, you may find that the place
made them feel comfortable, that it had "a special
feeling" or atmosphere.
Time
with friends, family, or special loved ones are times we want to
cherish. In order to make your home guest-ready for planned or
impromptu gatherings, there's a few things we can do in advance to
prepare for such occasions.
For
one, we can make sure our home stays neat and tidy. That's an
obvious tip, I'm sure, but I must say it. You'll need to remove
clutter if there is any, and maintain a discipline to keep things
orderly.
Now,
just because the place is tidy and uncluttered doesn't mean it's a
relaxing environment.
It may need a special touch to give it a warm atmosphere.
Think
"cozy," even if you have a large room to entertain
visitors in. You can create the look and feel you want with just a
few room additives.
You
can keep cut flowers in small vases or in a large floral
arrangement around the room.
This gives a room a nice fragrant aroma. It also adds a
very charming and aesthetic quality to your home.
I've
been to homes where I felt very relaxed because the setting was
uncluttered and staged with candles and flowers here and there.
That's all it took to give the place a sense of style and warm
elegance.
Visitors
who just stop by are already in favor of your company, so use the
experience to its fullest. Give them a nice setting to relax in
and then enjoy some good conversation over a few simple food bits
and drink.
Try
keeping a stock on certain foods to serve up easily.
Breads, cheese, crackers, olives, and salami make a nice
tray of food. Pre-cut vegetables are easy to throw out on a tray,
but don't have a long shelf-life.
Drinks
like sparkling water, orange juice, tea and gourmet coffee offer
anyone a good choice to quench their thirst.
If
it's a last minute dinner you might end up preparing for your
guest, you'll be ready if you keep some non-perishable food items
on hand. You can whip up a quick meal with pasta and canned or
bottled tomato sauces.
Keeping
it simple is a way to enjoy more time with your guests than
fussing around in the kitchen.
People
in a relationship can create a last minute romantic dinner by just
adding lighted candles to the table.
If you don't want them to see what they're eating, don't
light the candles (just kidding).
Now,
to top off the overall setting you've created in your home, you'll
want to keep music that sets the mood of the visit. For the
holidays, I found a few holiday CD's from rock to classical (you
never know who your visitors might be, nor the mood you're in).
As
a matter of fact, right now I'm listening to "What Child Is
This?" by The Moody Blues. If someone were to stop by this
minute, I'm ready to sit them in my candle-filled,
aromatic-flowered living room with a café latte and some bagels.
Won't
you join me?
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