Comments on: You Don’t Have To Be Unprepared for Unexpected Hospitality

By: Tip Diva

Tip Diva — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:05:09 +0000

My grandmother makes pound cakes, covers them in aluminum foil, wraps a pretty bow around them, and then freezes them. If company comes, or the situation requires a gift, the pound cake is ready and presentable.

By: GP

GP — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 01:48:00 +0000

as an innkeeper… this is so true… for me.. our b&B is “G-d’s inn” and we try to have our guests feel that way too when they stay

Laced with grace
GP in montana

By: HowToMe

HowToMe — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:54:47 +0000

Wonderful post! I’ve become very interested in how to be more hospitable. It is not only a Scriptural mandate but a nice way to honor God. Feel free to visit my post (link provided) for some ideas. I’d enjoy hearing more of yours. Kind Regards.

By: marye

marye — Sun, 09 Dec 2007 00:30:18 +0000

Cookie dough, shaped and flash frozen is my life saver, as well as a selection of tea and coffee!

By: Marie

Marie — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:31:35 +0000

I make and sell pumpkin rolls, so I always have several in the freezer. In a pinch I can cut one up for guests, or give one as a gift.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:15:52 +0000

I’m not big on “drop-ins” - especially during the week, and most people know/respect that. It’s mainly because I’m at work full time all day, and then when we get home I’m making dinner and generally taking some time to relax and just enjoy the quiet with my hubby and/or playing with the dogs before I head downstairs for a workout (or get involved in some hobby). During the week, our house is our “haven” - a place to get *away* from people.

On the weekend it doesn’t bug me so much if people drop by, as long as everyone pretends not to notice my house, which is generally either in disarray or in the process of being put back in order from the week before. By Sunday afternoon I generally have a good handle on things again - I admit to being a lazy housekeeper most of the time.

Regardless though, I always have at least tea at the ready (any kind you’d like - or water, if you’d prefer), and most of the time some small “sweet” to offer (cookies or mini-chocolate bars, or something seasonal we’ve been munching on). Sweets are easily found either on the covered cake plate, or in a seasonal dish on the dining room table…tea of course must be prepared, and I’ll choose proper teaware at the time. And I am always gracious to guests, whether they are expected or not.

I like the idea of having a few “extra” little gifts all wrapped up and ready, in case someone unexpected drops by with something. That doesn’t happen often, but it has happened, and I think I’ll ready a few little “spare gifts” this weekend when I’m wrapping my christmas gifts.

By: Kendralee

Kendralee — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 18:45:08 +0000

OH!! I love your tea corner! It makes me want to stop by and pick out a present! I am a lonely type of gal. So, I love company. Sorry to say though, I figure the company is coming to see ME, and not my house or my mess. School days are cluttered and loud. There is a constant hum of children (or scream), breakfast smells loom (today it is pleasant bacon, with a bit of smoke!) I guess I would prefer notice, just so we can do our 15 minute “throw everything in mom’s room” trick. In all seriousness though, if I am proud of my situation, be it cluttered or clean, if I am welcoming and willing to stop my “chaos” so sit and chat, all is well. Of course, I dream of that house that has the three “untouched by children” rooms. Is that possible? Tell you what, Tea Party Girl, when we finally build our house, I will have you over……in the meantime, let’s meet at your tea corner! It is SMASHING! ta ta

By: doodah

doodah — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:02:37 +0000

Our house stays ready for unexpected hospitality by 1) keeping the common rooms picked up and clutter free (easier to do in a kid-free house, to be sure, but not impossible with children - I think of my Mom’s house), 2) having a treat and a beverage (lots of tea, of course) on hand - it may not be fancy, but we can always offer something — our house isn’t anything like what would be in Country Living or any other fancy “Home” magazine - but it is orderly and peaceful.