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Harvest House Publishers - Melissa Michaels

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133 pages

English

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Create Memorable Gatherings with Simplicity and Style Welcoming friends and family into your home doesn't have to be intimidating! These 50 affordable and inspired ideas from bestselling author Melissa Michaels will help you turn any get-together into a special memory.Simplify tasks and focus on what guests remember most: the atmosphere, feast, conversation, and special touches.Reduce stress when you embrace your authentic hosting style, easy DIYs, and the freedom of using what you have.Celebrate people as the centerpiece of any gathering with simple activities that spark conversation and connection.With more than 300 tips for a variety of gatheringsfrom a casual outdoor barbeque to a creative guest-of-honor dessert--you'll feel inspired to open your door with confidence!* * * "Simple Gatherings invites us all to check hospitality fears and perfectionism at the door. The helpful tips and creative ideas inside will inspire even the most reluctant hostess to take that first step toward creating space for a simple but memorable experience."Sandy Coughlin, Reluctant Entertainer (blog)

Sujets

Philosophie et théologie

Interior design

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Publié par	Harvest House Publishers
Date de parution	03 octobre 2017
Nombre de lectures	2
EAN13	9780736963145
Langue	English
Poids de l'ouvrage	2 Mo

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,0600€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS
EUGENE, OREGON
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Cover by Nicole Dougherty
Cover Image Vector, Eisfrei / Shutterstock
Interior Design by Faceout Studio, Paul Nielsen
Published in association with William K. Jensen Literary Agency, 119 Bampton Court, Eugene, Oregon 97404.
SIMPLE GATHERINGS
Copyright 2017 by Melissa Michaels
Published by Harvest House Publishers
Eugene, Oregon 97402
www.harvesthousepublishers.com
ISBN 978-0-7369-6313-8 (pbk.)
ISBN 978-0-7369-6314-5 (eBook)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Michaels, Melissa, author.
Title: Simple gatherings / Melissa Michaels.
Description: Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, [2017]
Identifiers: LCCN 2017003032 (print) | LCCN 2017004592 (ebook) | ISBN 9780736963138 (pbk.) | ISBN 9780736963145 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Entertaining.
Classification: LCC GV1471 .M635 2017 (print) | LCC GV1471 (ebook) | DDC 793.2-dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017003032
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means-electronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any other-without the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of author s and publisher s rights is strictly prohibited.
Simple gatherings create opportunities to draw close-to gather around a table, let our guards down, share our common imperfections, celebrate our stories, forge lasting friendships, and connect on a heart level.
MELISSA MICHAELS
Contents
AN INVITATION TO GATHER
GET READY TO GATHER
1 Discover Reasons to Gather
2 Celebrate Your Hosting Style
3 Plan the Details: A To-Do List
4 Enlist the Help of Others
5 Embrace the Clean Enough House
6 Prepare for Overnight Guests
7 Consider These Day-Before Tasks
8 Remember These Day-of Helps
9 Be Yourself
THE ATMOSPHERE
10 Simplify the Invitations
11 Make a Good Impression
12 Welcome Guests with Light
13 DIY: Light the Way with Mason Jar Luminaries
14 Create an Inviting Entry
15 Add a Splash of Color
16 Set the Mood with Music
17 Create Cozy with Textures
18 Solve the Shoe Dilemma
19 Express Sincere Welcomes and Goodbyes
20 Set Up a Welcome Station
21 Designate a Goodbye Station
LET S GATHER OUTDOORS {A BBQ SLIDER BAR}
THE FEAST
22 Stock Up
23 Give Yourself a Break
24 Test Recipes in Advance
25 Address the Traffic Flow
26 Go Buffet!
27 Set Up Creative Food Stations
28 Create a Beverage Station
29 Steep French Press Coffee in Six Easy Steps
30 Enjoy Seasonal Flavors
31 Put Together a Pretty Presentation
32 Include Healthy Choices
LET S GATHER INDOORS {A WEEKEND BRUNCH}
THE CONVERSATION
33 Invent Table Destinations
34 Create Connection with Seating
35 Start the Conversation
36 Let the Games Begin
37 Interact with Activities
38 Make Something Together: Paint Pen Bottles
39 Create a Photo Booth
40 Map Out a Scavenger Hunt
41 DIY: Make a Teacup Planter
LET S GATHER WITH KIDS {AN ICE-CREAM SUNDAE PARTY}
THE SPECIAL TOUCHES
42 Set the Table, Set the Tone
43 Showcase Simple Centerpieces
44 DIY: Create a Fabric-Wrapped Planter
45 Collect Versatile Entertaining Basics
46 Create Pretty Place Cards
47 Label Food for Effect
48 Establish a Party Drawer
49 Add Charm with Washi Tape
LET S GATHER TO CELEBRATE {AN AFTERNOON DESSERT}
50 Dream of Your Next Simple Gathering
Amazing Ways to Inspire Your Home
Take Back Your Space and Love Your Home Again
About the Author
AN INVITATION to Gather
I m convinced I have a house-shaped heart. Creating a welcoming atmosphere in a home (park, backyard, or church) for family and friends is my love language. Does that mean I have a perfectly kept house and I m a perfect hostess? Far from it. Come on over, and you ll see plenty of imperfections and likely a bit of pandemonium. That s why long ago I determined that I had to be a laid-back hostess or I d never invite anyone over! I ve found ways to work around my weaknesses and have a lot of fun with my strengths.
My joy in gathering people together doesn t come from a desire to host an over-the-top, Pinterest-worthy party. My heart is stirred to create an intentional and meaningful experience to connect people to one another. As a home decor blogger, church planter s wife, and mom of three, my house-shaped heart has come in handy. Preparing an inviting place for others is how my heart and soul come alive.
In spite of my passion for creating a comfortable home, I don t have it all together. In fact, I m missing two key ingredients most people associate with a born hostess: I m not drawn to cooking, and- dun-dun-dun -I m not an extrovert. Cooking just isn t my thing. And although I enjoy conversation (as my husband can attest to), if the environment is awkward or draining, I want to quietly slip away or tiptoe upstairs and leave the partying to the extroverts.
Maybe you also feel as if you re missing a few ingredients that would help you host with greater ease. If you have the cooking part down, maybe you worry about your small house or your lack of party-planning skills. Perhaps you think your budget or creativity is too limited or that the ages of your kids, your loud dogs, or your wavering sanity might tip you over the edge if you invite people over. I get that.
I ve had all of those concerns at one point or another in my life, and often all at once. There are endless worries, excuses, or challenges that could prevent us from accepting the title of Hostess with the Mostess. But if we think genuine hospitality means doing it all perfectly, we ve missed the point. Not being perfectly prepared or equipped is exactly what brings people together in an authentic way. The purpose of hospitality is to make people feel comfortable, not to impress them with our amazing talent or skill!

In the school of simple gatherings, there is just one rule: Don t worry about rules. Simple gatherings should be as stress-free as possible, so don t fret about the right or wrong way to gather or express your style, and don t fear what might be expected of you as a hostess. (Who makes up those party-hosting rules anyway?)

WHAT GUESTS REMEMBER
When you stay focused on your guests, you can take care of the small details in a way that makes them feel celebrated and comfortable in your home. Over the years I ve noticed four standout things guests remember. They are the aspects of a visit you will hear guests mention with appreciation to others or to you long after the gathering is over. They are:

THE ATMOSPHERE
THE FEAST
THE CONVERSATION
THE SPECIAL TOUCHES
I will show you how, with some simple preparations, you can pull off warm and gracious celebrations in tune with who you really are. As you go through this book, incorporate the ideas that inspire you or give you greater confidence to gather others in your home. Let s start planning a few simple gatherings that will help you connect and celebrate with a minimum amount of stress and a maximum amount of joy.
Serve one another in love.
GALATIANS 5:13
Get Ready
TO GATHER
Have you ever visited a home where you felt welcome the moment you crossed the threshold? While the wonderful people greeting you at the door are partially responsible for that, the interior spaces can also reflect warmth and extend a pleasant invitation to come on in.
How do you go about creating an inviting home? The first step is to identify what makes you feel at home. If you are comfortable and happy there, it s likely your guests will be too. Your personal spaces should well-loved and authentic reflections of who you are and what you love. When we can observe and celebrate the beauty and the imperfections, we re able to open up our doors to the life-changing experience of community.
Let s look at some simple ways to help any home reflect the heart of welcome. Pare away the clutter, do a bit of rearranging, add in some special touches, and before you know it, you ll be racking your brain for yet another reason to have people over. I promise.
When we can observe and celebrate the beauty and the imperfections, we re able to open up our doors to the life-changing experience of community.
1 | DISCOVER REASONS TO GATHER
Each and every day, something is worth celebrating! While big occasions-birthdays, holidays, graduations, anniversaries, engagements, bridal or baby showers-always call for a party, small occasions can call for a party too. Pick a reason to gather from this list, or let it inspire you to come up with some of your own.
SEASONAL
+ Welcome spring (or summer or autumn or winter)
+ Mother s Day and Father s Day
+ Garden party (feature fresh food from your garden)
+ Summer pool party
+ Backyard campfire/s mores/storytelling
+ Back-to-school
+ Halloween party/trick-or-treating alternative
+ Snow day celebration
+ Christmas lights run or walk (followed by hot cocoa)
+ Cookie decorating (Christmas or Valentine s Day)
CELEBRATIONS AND MILESTONES
+ Birthdays
+ Graduations
+ Engagement or anniversary
+ Bridal or baby showers
+ Congrats on your new job/new home/promotion
+ Going-away party
+ Housewarming/welcome new neighbors
JUST BECAUSE
+ Appetizer mixer
+ Official National Day of (example: National Chocolate Day)
+ Movie night or concert