4Real Forums: Hospitality

Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.

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Topic: Hospitality

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Angel
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Joined: April 22 2006
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Posted: Oct 15 2006 at 7:26pm \| IP Logged

I am thinking about inviting some families from our newfound homeschooling group to socialize at our home. I'm not very experienced with having people over and kind of shy in person. I was thinking of having a potluck lunch or dinner. One of our problems is that it is getting COLD here in upstate New York, and outside time for the kids may be limited. (And if everyone accepted the invitation, there would be a lot of kids!) We don't have a really small house, but the house wasn't really built for entertaining groups of people either.

I wondered if some of you who are more organized and more experienced might have some tips for a successful gathering?

--Angela
Mom to 3+2

Three Plus Two

guitarnan
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Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Maryland
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Posted: Oct 15 2006 at 7:34pm \| IP Logged

If space is an issue, consider having two events so there's room for all (once you've cleaned up, it's pretty easy to do two events a couple of days apart).

If the weather is bad, either set up a TV/play area for kids (with Veggie Tales DVDs or something like that, plus Duplo blocks, coloring pages, etc.) or organize a craft project for them. Sometimes you can get seasonal craft kits at Wal-Mart or a craft store (or look online) which have bulk amounts of craft foam shapes or something like that for kids to put together. We do this for winter birthday parties quite often!

Don't do anything with glitter or cake sprinkles...too hard to clean up, trust me!

__________________
Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.

blairb4
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Joined: Oct 08 2006
Location: Texas
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Posted: Oct 15 2006 at 11:07pm \| IP Logged

I usually try to pick a special Church feast day and do some sort of activity related to it. Have food in the kitchen, chairs set up for the moms, and toys for different ages set out in the living room. Close the doors of rooms you don't want visited. Most likely, everyone won't be able to attend, especially if it's during lunchtime on a homeschool day. Maybe the older kids could play in one of the bedrooms. Don't stress too much; I'm sure it'll work out just fine!
~~~
Blair in TX, wife of Steven '01
Mommy to Mary Clare '03 and Elizabeth '05

almamater
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Joined: March 09 2005
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Posted: Oct 15 2006 at 11:23pm \| IP Logged

We have a open invitation to several Catholic families each Wednesday. The moms and children (as well as an older retired couple from church) come around 3:30 and we all pray a Rosary together (the children take volunteer turns leading each decade). After the Rosary, there is a snack/playtime for the children and social time for the moms. The snack is really simple; I will usually put out a bowl of store bought cookies or fruit or a homemade goodie and one or two of the other moms may bring a similar type snack. We have a lovely time and everyone looks forward to it.

Sometimes, if there is a special feast or the like, a mom will bring craft supplies for an optional activity.

My family room is not very large, but we manage. After the Rosary, the children scatter to the far reaches of the house and outdoors. I do ask children to help clean up a few things each before their family departs and they know which rooms are off limits (my bedroom, study, etc).

__________________
~jennifer in tx
mommy of ds(11),dd(8),dd(6), dd(3),& ds (6/08)
Soul of the Home
Soulful Learning

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