FIRST, your guests aren’t coming to tour a museum. It’s okay if your house isn’t pristine. They came to spend time with you. Take a deep breath and create just one neat and tidy space for you and your guests to sit and relax in. 

One way I clean up space quickly is to have a few baskets and bins to toss items into and organize later. I also love having fresh plants in the house, so I’ll actually cut fresh flowers or beautiful branches from our yard and place them in a vase in our meeting room. Adding a nice candle always makes a space feel cozy too. Use what you have! Don’t feel like you need to buy anything to host.

SECOND, keep your food simple. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time and if someone offers to bring something, let them! Don’t try to be the hero when someone is offering to lessen the load.
Whatever you are serving can be made to look like a five-star restaurant simply by placing it on a platter and adding fresh herbs. Seriously! A garnish of fresh chopped parsley on a hummus platter or plate of fried chicken from the grocery store goes a long way. Don’t over complicate it!

I usually add 2 fresh items for every prepared item. So, if I am serving a cooked dish, I’ll add a garnish of parsley and a fresh side salad. Don’t underestimate thinly sliced cucumber and red onion with a dressing of vinegar, olive oil, sugar/stevia, and salt and pepper! If you want, you can research how to cut something differently or how to plate something in a new way. I’ve made pineapples into bowls and thoroughly enjoyed plating foods in new and beautiful ways.

THIRD, I like to give my guest something to leave with to remember our time together. This could be a book, a handful of fresh herbs, a slice of coffee cake or a Love>fear bracelet. It delights me to know I gave someone something to enjoy later. I also enjoy wrapping gifts so wrapping it up with a simple sprig of mint and twine just sweetens the presentation.

FOURTH,  pray over the visit. Pray while you clean up and plate your food. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead the conversations and help you to find delight in the act of hosting. Love leads here especially if you’re hosting someone you maybe don’t particularly like. (And this happens!)

Whether you’re hosting a small coffee date or a larger gathering, remember that finding delight in the process is a choice. By taking just a few small steps to create a peaceful space, you are able to focus on loving others well by giving them your full attention. Find delight in being Jesus to others as you host.