A few years ago I met Sandy Coughlin through the pages of her book, The Reluctant Entertainer. Here was a woman who spoke about entertaining fears that I had but presented hospitality in such a simple, easy way.
I even contacted Sandy to interview her about the subject for an article but I never wrote the article because I felt like I still couldn’t face this issue.
Her faith-based book is filled with gorgeous, glossy pictures and has loads of ideas on gracious hospitality. What I truly love about her book is that it’s not a book that has over-the-top entertaining ideas. She shares real entertaining fears and offers suggestions on what to do with them.
Simple. Down to earth. Real. Gracious. Encouraging.
Since then I’ve talked to Sandy briefly through Twitter and even sent her an invitation (just to show her that I was having a party) last Christmas. (I’m going to have to update her on my recent party.) Last month I told her about the upcoming Blogathon 2012 and my 31 Days of Fearless Entertaining and she kindly offered to giveaway one of her books signed to my readers. What a perfect way to end my 31 Days!
So you can enter to win a free copy of The Reluctant Entertainer by leaving your comment: What is a fear you have about entertaining AND how can you overcome it? If you aren’t hesitant to entertain, what tips can you offer someone who is.
You can get two more entries if you share this book giveaway on your facebook page and you tweet about the giveaway and come back and leave me a comment that you did. The contest will close Friday at 5 PM, PST. The contest is now closed.
Guess who won? Tia, #1 was generated by Random.org. Congratulations!
You had me at simple and gracious. My fear is “getting it all to come together”… I get so stressed with the prep that I don’t enjoy the event as much as I should. But I also think I overcomplicate what I think people want/expect.
I’ll be tweeting for sure. A great giveaway. Jan, I’ve really enjoyed your series this month. You give me hope!
My entertaining fear is that my house “isn’t ready”. I always seem to have a long list of things I’d like to fix around the house before I have people over- rehang a door that doesn’t shut properly, hang the painting I bought six months ago, etc. the solution is accepting that my home will never be magazine ready because I live in it and like myself it is always going to be a work in progress.
I fear the whole thing so much that I’ve been scared to even follow your blog this month!
Truly, my greatest, bottom line fear is that ppl won’t have a good time, that the gathering/event will be lame. (Yep — that’s high school era fear right there!)
Okay, my fear is that my house is such a mess! Even when it’s birthday-party ready, we still have all the wallpaper down in the kitchen and no time to work on that little project. So I fear people will judge my ugly kitchen even if the food coming out of it is lovely!
I tweeted. Thanks again!
Most ladies don’t need a fancy party, they just enjoy getting together and sharing food, felloship, and conversation. Keep it simple, but special. For instance, if you serve cheese and crackers, Cut your cheese in to shapes that go a long with the season or theme you are using with a miniature cookie cutter.
Signed, Pat F
My house is VERY SMALL and I feel that I can’t properly entertain and keep my guests feeling comfortable, welcome and relaxed. Esp. since I have a hard time relaxing while entertaining! help?
I love to entertain and I have been told I am a good party/gathering planner.
My advice would be avoid cooking something you have never made before. It causes stress and you may freak out. Been there. Done that. Try out new recipes long before an event.
Start small. Try a dinner for 4…then 8…then maybe 20? 🙂 Have fun with it.
also tweeted but FB is down.