Look no further than these innovative hosting ideas for a good time, and remember: embracing imperfect hosting is an essential ingredient for hospitality success.

It’s important not to let our desire for perfection get in the way of truly welcoming others into our lives. I hope friends feel as comfortable in my home on a spontaneous pop over as they do at an intentionally planned gathering – although there will admittedly be more crumbs on the floor and laundry strewn about. What matters most is a hostess who is ready to greet a person with joy and willing to slow down for a conversation (and, ideally, a cup of coffee or tea). 

However, sometimes it can be quite fun to add a little flair with some decorations, lighting candles, or a special playlist. It inserts just a dash of excitement into an otherwise typical gathering of friends. 

And I am here to tell you that if you want to bring a gathering to the next level of delight, add a theme. With a little intentionality and a spark of creativity, you can bring your community together for good conversation, delicious food, and purposeful connection. 

Here are a few ways my community has tried out the art of innovative hosting. 

Soups and sweaters

Gathering friends to don cozy sweaters and feast on a warm cup of soup was made for the dregs of Winter. My dear friend Donna hosted this delightful midwinter night’s dream of a party, and not only was it a joy to reconnect with friends after what seemed like a rotating door of illnesses for my family, but I went home with multiple tasty soups to freeze! My connection cup and freezer stash overflowed. Here’s how she pulled it off.

Donna sent out an invite a few weeks in advance, encouraging everyone to find their comfiest sweater and favorite soup recipe. We were instructed to bring our soup recipe doubled, a ladle, a muffin tin for soup tasting (in hindsight, paper cups may have been better), and a bunch of freezer storage containers or bags. She also asked a few attendees to bring bread, and others sweets. 

She welcomed us into her softly lit home with candles flickering, music playing, and soups simmering. It was the essence of coziness. Our pots were placed on her kitchen counters (or crock pots were plugged in, which kept the soup perfectly warm), and we each made a label for our soup. From multiple takes on chili to a fish stew, no soup was left out. 

Attendees sampled soups, soaked up the last bits with freshly baked sourdough, and were asked to rank their top three favorites. In an incredibly close race, the winners were awarded with an engraved wooden soup spoon. Encouraging conversations continued while we sampled the sweet treats. And as the night came to an end, everyone went home with Tupperware and freezer bags filled with soup for easy lunches or dinners. 

A few weeks after the party ended, a friend texted me a picture of a big bowl of my own contribution – Baba Maria’s Borscht. She just said, “Thanks for lunch!” A smile came to my face because I too was eating soup from a neighbor. It was the party that kept on giving – both in fostering connection and delicious bowls of soup!

Handicrafts and hangouts

Let me set the scene for you: the fire is roaring, a pot of tea is steeping, and a plate of cookies and chocolates is on my living room table. Women are sprawled out across my living room, engaged in conversation and a handicraft. One is knitting, the others are painting with watercolor. I stare in awe at my friend mending a dress while I fumble along with my 4-year-long amateur needlepoint project. 

So often, there are creative projects I desire to accomplish, but for which I can’t seem to carve out time. Enter “Handicrafts and Hangouts.” I originally heard about this idea from a friend and felt compelled to recreate it for my own neighborhood. 

There is something so delightful about working on individual projects within a circle of camaraderie. We were able to marvel at each other’s hidden talents and share moments of connection, while also working for His glory to create something beautiful.

A night of fellowship would have perhaps happened anyway, as I enjoy having women over to sip tea and sit by the fire. I didn’t have to do anything extra special – I had minimal refreshments and some drawing supplies available for anyone without a handicraft. However, inviting women to create intentionally together elevated our time and made it a truly special evening. Creating is a gift we possess from God, the Creator. What better way to create than within the joy of community?

Wedding album night

Some of my very best friends are those whom I met after getting married. We often lament that we would love to time travel and attend one another’s weddings. To illustrate the beauty of that day for each other, we enjoyed a wedding album ladies’ night.

Our host made cocktails (the signature drink at her wedding!) and asked each guest to bring her wedding album and part of her wedding video (if she had one). 

Each person took a turn highlighting some of the favorite parts of their wedding day, shared their first dance song, and reminisced about finding their wedding dress. I was able to see my friends as beautiful brides surrounded by their joyous families, ask questions about their cake flavors, and gush over the floral arrangements. It was a blessing to catch a glimmer of the start of their strong and faithful marriages and share the joy of my own.

Something for everyone

Here are a few more ideas my neighborhood does incredibly well or hopes to attempt: 

A chocolate chip cookie party – a friend mentioned this idea, and it hasn’t left my hopes and dreams since. Everyone brings their “A-Game” chocolate chip cookie recipe, and guests enjoy cookies and find a new favorite recipe, or three! (Don’t forget the milk!)

A book swap – A neighbor asked all attendees to bring a favorite book (or a few favorite books!) and join for an evening of food, discussing novels, and fellowship. Women wrote on a Post-it note with a favorite idea or theme from the book and stuck it to the cover. Each participant took home as many new-to-her books as they contributed. Such a treat for the literary lover! 

A (non-political) progressive dinner – Someone hosts appetizers, another makes dinner, and the last house is my favorite stop – dessert! This type of evening works best for neighbors where you can easily walk from house to house. This is a really special way to get to know your direct neighbors better! 

A clothing swap – Before bringing that dress you love but doesn’t fit quite right to the thrift store, consider tossing it in a bag and hosting a clothing swap! My neighborhood hosts one seasonally when people are bringing out the winter clothes and putting away warm-weather attire. Some of my favorite outfits are from a clothing swap, and I love seeing a friend bring her own sense of style to a dress I decided to pass along. Clothing racks and extra hangers are very helpful, but not necessary.

A color analysis party – Friends gather and help one another decide which colors work best for their complexion and features. A wonderful way to build one another up and delight in the God given beauty of our friends. 

Sometimes hosting looks like pushing laundry to the side of the couch so your guest has a place to sit, while other times it might be a thoughtfully planned evening with baked goods and intentional conversation. However it enfolds, if your guest leaves feeling loved then you’re the hostess with the most-ess!