How To Host Friendsgiving
How To Host Friendsgivng | By Claudia Garfield
Claudia Garfield is a mom, wife, friend, volunteer, leader, follower of Jesus. All of those roles have heightened her ability to be a great convener of people, a host with a heart of hospitality. Here's what she's learned along the way of hosting well, and more specifically, for a fun Friendsgiving this Thanksgiving season!
"Hostess with the Mostest" is a title I take very seriously. I love hosting, not because it's easy, but because I love walking around my home during a gathering and see people finding deep, meaningful connections and conversations in spaces I've contributed to! Whether it's meeting new people or catching up with old friends, gathering people together is something I have always had a passion for.
I used to think that hosting well meant having nice decorations or a beautiful, big-enough space to host people comfortably, or enough room in the budget to spend. But, my family revealed something truly valuable that has marked the way I now view hospitality: it's about bringing people together to make them feel comfortable, seen, welcome, and have a place to belong. And the best part? Anyone can do that. It's really that simple.
Over the years, I've had the opportunity to open my home to my daughters' friends having get-togethers after school or hosting parties for any and all occasions, to family dinners and reunions. This holiday season is a perfect time to think about hosting a Friendsgiving, an intimate, intentional way to bring your friends together (and their friends) to share a meal together, express gratitude, and connect deeply in the midst of a busy holiday season! Here are 3 things I've found that help making hosting fun and easy:
Creating A Welcoming Environment: Creating a welcoming, warm space has to do with the atmosphere. I love having several playlists on hand ready for the environment you want to create! Some crowds like to sit and talk, so having some soft background music helps ease people to connect.
Redefining the Table Invite: Inviting people to the table is great, but inviting people to contribute to the table is even better! That's why I love making events potluck-style. I like using Sign-Up Genius to help organize your invite list to sign up for different dishes and items to bring with them! That way, everyone has a role, people become a team before they sit to enjoy a meal together, something to offer, and maybe even a story or tradition to share!
Be Ready To Welcome Anyone: I try to be intentional about making my home environment a space where every kind of person is welcome. This could look like having a stash of toys or coloring books for little kids, having quiet spaces for conversations and introverts, having snacks available, conversation starters to break the ice for people meeting each other for the first time, indoor and outdoor spaces if possible. Be creative! Let the people in your life influence the way you design your spaces with intention and care!
I have always believed that your community grows when you serve and celebrate together. Therefore, opening up my home to host something like a Friendsgiving is an opportunity to bring everyone together so they can continue to find and build community to do life with.