5 Must-Haves for Entertaining in Your Home
When thinking about this topic of 5 must-haves for entertaining in your home, I come to realize there is not much that you need to entertain a guest. In all honesty, all you need is you. But, there are a few things I have learned over the years that are a must-have when entertaining. These things will make your visitors feel special.
My top 5 must-haves
My #1
A welcoming room. Have a place in your home that you can make someone feel welcome and sit and chat with you. This could be your kitchen table, your dining room, your living room or your back deck. Always have your welcoming area ready for guest. I have my kitchen and deck ready for guest (most days). I love sitting at my kitchen table chatting or enjoying the weather outside on our deck. The rest of your house can be in disarray but try to always have a place to entertain that guest that needs to spend time with just you.
My #2
Coffee Maker or Tea Pot. Offer your guest something to drink. It could be a warm cup of coffee or that special tea that you love to have. I have the Ninja coffee maker. I like this one because it can make 1 cup, 1 travel mug, 1/2 pot or a full pot of coffee. It is easy to navigate and makes good coffee.
If you are a tea drinker, you don’t have to have a fancy tea kettle, you can warm water even in the microwave. Keep a box of tea on hand to share with your guest.
My #3
Quick Dessert or Snack. I remember when my mom would whip out this amazing pound cake on the cue of the doorbell. This cake was a homemade, buttery crusted slice of amazingness. I never really thought about how it happened or got baked so fast, but now I know her secret.
I now keep quick and easy desserts in my pantry or freezer that can be fixed and served within 20 minutes. Here are a couple of ideas for you to check out.
Sara Lee Frozen Pound Cake and frozen strawberries. Microwaved both of these then plate for a beautiful quick dessert. Now, if you are a baker, you can do the same with a homemade pound cake too.
Peach Cobbler Dump Cake. This is one of my go-to desserts. Plus it makes the house smell amazing. You can see the Quick and Easy Cobbler recipe in my Cooking Up Desserts Pinterest board.
My #4
Candles, Diffusers & Air Fresheners. I use candles & diffusers a lot and have an automatic air freshener in my front room. I try to have the same scent of candles or the diffusers throughout my living space. Each season represents a different flavor of smell I reason I choose to use the same scent throughout is that it is easier on the smell to transition from room to room. The smells just become a part of the home and not be the first thing someone notices.
My #5
A Prepared Heart. This is probably the biggest tool you need in your Must-Haves toolbelt. A prepared heart to accept change, diversity, that hard to love person, strong personalities, messed up schedules, messy home, late dinner…. the list can go on. These are things that will stretch you.
You need to prepare your heart to be ready for these things. Your heart should be so focused on the person in front of you and not the circumstances that surround you and your guest. One way I prepare my heart is to practice. Practice by inviting people over that is different than me or during times of the day that I tend to keep more protected. This allows me to see that the most important thing is the guest and everything else will fall into place and in order.
Entertaining angels in your home
I memorized a scripture several years ago that I have seen come true over and over in our home.
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!
Hebrews 13:2 NLT
Put these ideas in your toolbelt of hospitality and be sure to share with someone about the angels you have entertained in your home.