How to Make Your Weekend Gatherings Simple

I think weekend gatherings are probably my favorite type of gathering.  By the time the weekend arrives, everyone is tired and just wants to relax. Have a good conversation and enjoy the time together. Let me share with you what I have learned. How to make your weekend gatherings simple.

Simplifying our lives

Our household theme for the 2017 year has been “Do Less Better by Simplifying Our Lives.” We love having gatherings at our home, but our lives had gotten so busy that when the weekend got here, I had no desire to put on a big event like I was so used to doing. I had to make our weekends simple but didn’t want to stop having gatherings in our home.  So here is what I have found to work for our family and our guests seem to love it.

Weekend Gatherings Made Simple has become part of the plan to simplify.

How to make your weekend gatherings simple

• Everyone can help out. Before the guest arrives, give everyone in your family a task to do. It could be as simple as making sure there is a napkin at each place setting. Give your guest a task to do as well. It could be to bring a dish or set the table once they arrive.
• Forget trying to impress everyone. I bet if you polled your guests, they would not remember the dust on the shelf or the laundry that is not down. They would remember the fun fellowship. Stop trying to make your home in perfect condition. A stressed-out host is no fun to be around. Have you read that hospitality is NOT entertaining yet?

My favorite tip to simplify your weekend gatherings.

• Build a supply for easy setup. Have a Rubbermaid container supplied with paper goods, plastic ware, candles, bug spray, etc. Make items that you use over and over easy to access and keep them all in one place. When you run out of something in your container, quickly replace it so you are not caught off guard and unprepared. This has probably been the best resource I have in my house. I love the fact that it is all together and anyone can pull it out and help.
• Make it simple and not hard. Having people over can be quite a hassle. Invite people over for dessert, or maybe just a simple meal. A simple meal like BBQ or a crockpot of chili. I have not had one guest complain yet that the meal was too simple. There are so many great recipes on Pinterest for simple meals. Guests just want the fellowship; they really don’t care how detailed your menu is.
• Order In.  It is ok to order in for the meal.  A simple pizza or take out Chinese.  Your guest will not care. 
  We have a mall Chinese walk-up restaurant that we love.  It is less than $7 a to-go place and you can feed your guest with a large container of rice, Bourbon chicken, and mixed veggies.  The guest will leave satisfied.  I have been known to pick up a whole meal from Max Orient and replate it when I get home.  My guest loves it and it doesn’t mess my kitchen up at all.

Remember the goal: weekend gatherings made simple

• Charcuterie boards are a hit.  Everyone loves a charcuterie board.  Even the pickiest of eaters will find something they can snack on.   Keep 3- 4 different cheeses on hand, nuts, and crackers.  The only thing you would want to add is some olives and fresh fruits.  From there, you just arrange it beautifully on your tray.  This is a great idea to have sitting out when your guest arrives.  That gives them something to snack on while the meal is finishing up.  
• Simple Desserts.   Simple desserts are still a dessert.  You don’t have to worry about having a dessert that wows your guests.  They will love having some store-bought cookies or an ice cream bar.  Each one will satisfy the sweet tooth and you don’t have to worry about the preparation.   Place the cookies on a platter to make them beautiful and no one will complain about your dessert, I promise.
• Game box.  I have a game box that has all our group games in it.  It is easy to access.  I know that all the pieces and parts are there for the games and also know how to play the games.  Have games like Apples to Apples, Uno, or Phase 10 in your box to where you know you have options for the guest to choose from.  We love playing regular cards too with friends. 

Gatherings are about relationships and not so much about food and entertainment. Keep your eye on the purpose.  Just stop the craziness of trying to entertain and enjoy their company.  More than not, people will remember the conversations longer than what you served or how the room looked.  People want to be known and cared for and this starts with an inviting home.