Hospitality Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

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Summer is on the way, and as the weather warms up, the pace of life for most people slows down. Frazzled parents no longer have to scoot the kids off to school, vacations from work and the daily routine are right around the corner, and adults and children alike get more sunshine and fresh air.

Unfortunately, this summer’s heat index may hit record highs—not from any change in climate but from the acrimonious political races that will then be in full swing. Bombast, fiery charges and counter-charges and unexpected crises will be the order of the day and as blistering hot as a city sidewalk in August.

Which makes get-togethers with friends and family vital for our mental and spiritual health.

Whether it’s a potluck at church or a backyard barbeque with neighbors, researchers have found that touching base with the people in our lives, particularly in face-to-face encounters, can lower our stress levels, improve our overall mood, and deepen the trust so necessary to sharing our thoughts and our troubles.

Plus, it’s just plain fun.

Yet some people never even think of hosting such events. Others are intimidated. “I can’t cook,” they say, or else they dread the pre-party prep needed to put their homes in order.

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to be a gourmet chef to invite friends to a meal. You can, in fact, be the worst cook on the planet and still have a great time. Nor must your house pass inspection by Martha Stewart. These gatherings should bring pleasure and comfort, not pain and more stress.

And here are some ways to make that happen.

Picnics in the Park

Maybe you live in a one-bedroom flat where four guests would make up a mob, or maybe you don’t want to fool with a big clean-up. If that’s the case, consider taking the festivities to a local park offering picnic tables and restrooms. Provide a main course, which can range from roasted chicken purchased from your local supermarket to sub sandwiches; invite your friends to bring side dishes; and let the fun begin. If you want to invite a large crowd, pick a park with a shelter and arrange with local authorities to reserve it.

Plenty of food, a playground for the kids, and no dishes to wash. What could be better?

Back Deck Banquets

If you have a deck or a porch and a yard of nearly any size, then you’ve got a made-to-order outdoor banqueting hall. If you love cooking, fire up the grill or whip up some special crowd-sized dish in the kitchen. If you’re all thumbs when it comes to the culinary arts, put out a spread of heavy hors d’oeuvres, again purchased from the grocery store. Yes, you’ll have to clean a bathroom and tidy up a bit, but that’s an obstacle overcome by a few minutes’ work.

Add a badminton net, a cornhole board and beanbags, or croquet wickets and mallets, and let the time spent together shower down its blessings.

Night on the Town

This one costs a bit more but is simple to arrange. Contact some friends or family members, tell them you would really like to meet up, and suggest a restaurant. If small children are part of the package, pick some place conducive to their age—a pizza parlor, for instance, or even a fast-food restaurant with a play area.

Again, the idea is to connect and have some fun. It’s not about the food.

Ice Cream Socials

Here’s a great American tradition from the 19th century requiring almost no prep time, and those sticky treats can be served up outdoors. Invite everyone to bring a half-gallon of their favorite ice cream, provide a half-dozen toppings, add a table and some lawn chairs, and you’ve got a frozen dessert carnival. And if everyone, including you, brings mint chocolate chip, all the better. They can eat their fill of their favorite ice cream.

Human beings need companionship to thrive. Companion derives from Latin, meaning “with bread.” When we share a meal with others, we’re not just feeding our bodies. We’re feeding our souls.

Sharing some soul food this summer will help us beat the heat headed our way.

Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.