Parties with Purpose- 5 Essentials to 45 Minute Party Prep
Purposeful parties sounds like a cheesy book title. But the truth is when you are living with slow intention, everything becomes purposeful. Slow living doesn’t happen by accident. Responding thoughtfully to the needs of your people takes effort. Parties and get togethers are no different.
Gatherings with friends can be either meaningful or exhausting. It’s all about your approach and your (lest I sound like a broken record) intention. My hope is, the following thoughts help provide ideas, focus, and inspiration to your own fight against busy while still loving on your people through gatherings and parties.
Several years ago when we began living more purposefully things changed. We became more thoughtful about our diet, we were aggressively intentional about our activity schedules, and we sought after a slower pace. As a result, our kids were happier, our marriage was healthier, and we were all, in general, living more rested lives. Responding, rather than reacting, to life has been a years long effort for us and now we can confidently say that we have found our balance.
One of the side effects to our more intentional lifestyle is the space created for people.
The best examples of this have been when we invested in every day events around us. The neighbors were tending their garden in the summer, the next thing you know friends are laughing and sharing a bottle of wine on the deck until the stars come out. Or the time we were serving a crowd Christmas Dinner, I didn’t start making dinner (aside from the rolls rising on the counter) until about an hour before we sat down to eat. We spent most of the day around a puzzle, the snowman out back, and the warm fire inside. Or the time I was at a local coffee shop, ran into a friend, and completely invested in the moment thus having the most meaningful conversation I’ve had in months. We were visiting with neighbors and realized neither of us had formal New Years Eve plans. Forty-five minutes later with merged meals in our kitchen, and an Italian soda making station for the kids, we were enjoying the last hours of 2017 with good friends.
The only way this is possible is by creating a margin for it in our life. Having a healthy understanding of our personal boundaries, while still creating space for spontaneous and last minute has allowed us to respond organically to people around us. Over time, we found ourselves sharing meals and having impromptu get togethers more frequently. So I developed a simple game plan for dinner parties, get togethers, or coffee with friends that can be achieved in little to no time.
Let’s talk about how I can go from 0 to party in 45 minutes.
Stock Up and Store Party Items
I keep an area in my house entertainment ready. I use my dining room buffet. It’s where I keep my extra paper products, place card materials, service ware and table linens. I consider it my loading dock for parties. A friend of mine once encouraged me to try to always have neutral white paper products on hand for at least 20 people (enough for a few meals with extended family or one large gathering). White can go with any color scheme and is easy to dress up if needed. Very slowly, I have acquired entertaining dishes neutral enough to cross seasons. We dedicate a small portion of our storage closet to entertainment tableware, and while its only used 6-10 times a year, the longterm investment is worth it.
Get-Together Ready Decorations
Stock up on seasonal table decor. Over the years I have spent time creating or searching for neutral table decor that can be the foundation for any casual or formal get together. I regularly put thoughtful effort into my tablescapes so I always know my dining room is company ready. You can see our dining room as soon as you walk in so keeping it clean and inviting goes a long way toward the feeling of warmth and comfort in our home. During certain seasons of the year when I have more time, I keep my dining room table set 24/7. I just flip the cups and plates upside down when we’re in between meals. It’s a great way to ensure a pretty table whenever I need it.
What to Eat
Cookie recipe ingredients are always in my pantry. During the thick of playdate season, this was a really handy trick. In the summer, we keep watermelon and natural popsicles in stock for easy outdoor snacks. Remember my menu planning tricks? I save my menus from parties and holidays. If the days leading up to a get together or holiday are more hectic than usual I can just pull old menus and grab ideas from them. We try to keep a small range of wine on hand too, bottles that will appeal to various pallets. Finally, during the seasonal times of year when I have more energy, I plan one nicer meal a week. If something pops up in the schedule that includes an impromptu guest I make a quick switch in the schedule and cook the dressier meal to celebrate their company.
Be Present
When I started to actively seek and focus on being intentionally engaged with the people around me, I started to live a less harried existence. There were some growing pains though, I had to admit to double booking myself or the kids sometimes. I started saying the word “No” more and while at first it was insanely hard, over time it got easier. Through my own small journey, I’ve found a more mature, peaceful, approach to busy. Books by this author have helped slowly change my mindset and given me many tips along the way. I’ve surrounded myself with people who don’t seek busy like its their job, but rather they too are seeking more meaningful ways to connect with the people they love.
Thoughtful is More Elegant than Perfect
For years I struggled with having friends over if things were less than perfect. Gather anyway. So what if you’re in the middle of a basement remodel or if your dishes are chipped. Share a meal around the table, pull out a board game, and make memories with friends and family. The thoughtful effort you put into your meals and your conversation will far outweigh the perfection of your home or decor.
I’m on a journey just like the rest of you. Perhaps some of the ideas I’ve gleaned from life around me can help you too. No matter the season, the fight against busy and over scheduled is real. Entertaining people around your table doesn’t have to end it just may need a shift in focus. Start by trying to be more present and intentional.
Now go feed someone you love.
