For This House
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
Every Season. Every Space. All for Him.
June 1, 2024 | 4 min read
Ally Veldhuisen
In June of 2023, we purchased a fixer-upper home and have been doing lots of upgrades ever since. I wish I was better at documenting all of the before and after transformations to share here, but we’ve simply been trying to enjoy the process of renovating, learning lessons along the way, and moving on to one project after the next.
Our most recent project has been finessing our landscaping after other projects—like replacing siding and digging up our septic line—put the existing overgrown space into disarray. We’re very excited to have our own yard for the first time this summer, albeit a work in progress, because of the joy of hosting others outdoors.
We’ve been happily hosting in our home in the midst of renovation and plan to use our yard this summer as a space to deepen our community despite its level of “finished-ness”. If there’s anything I’ve learned through the various spaces we have lived in over the years, it’s that if you wait for your space to be perfect before inviting others in, you’ll never really be hospitable. Remember, your guests care more about YOU than your space.
So, in anticipation of using our space well this summer, here are some ideas I have for hosting this next season.
Set up classic outdoor games like cornhole, ladder toss, giant Jenga, or croquet for a relaxing yet competitive evening. This can be a great way to help people open up and show you a new side of themselves.
The conversation often flows more naturally when our hands are busy! Step it up a notch by making the evening a tournament with small prizes for winners, or create a silly trophy to pass around and make it an annual event.
Gathering around a crackling fire pit on a summer evening—there is nothing quite like it. Set up a simple table chock-full of your favorite s’more supplies: marshmallows, chocolate, graham crackers, peanut butter, Nutella, Oreos, you name it! Don’t forget cozy blankets, and beverages for the perfect nightcap.
Who doesn’t love tacos? The best part of this meal spread is it makes for a great, low-commitment potluck. Make the meat and have some taco shells, set up a table with lots of extra space, and then ask your guests to bring the toppings! Cheese, sour cream, salsas, guacamole, and more!
Guests may actually feel more welcomed into the meal when they’re able to contribute something to the table. The item someone brings can also become a great conversation starter, and give you a chance to try something new!
If the weather gets unbearably warm, this event can help everyone beat the heat. Hit up the dollar store for splash balls, set up a slip’n’slide or sprinkler, and have popsicles at the ready. Better yet, tell everybody to bring a squirt gun if they have one and watch the epic water fight commence (just make sure you have a safe and dry place to hide)!
This is inspired by an event my elementary school used to host. Grab some rolls of kraft paper, thin sticks (paint stir sticks, craft dowels, etc.), tape, string, and decorating supplies. Let everyone have at it – parents helping young children, older kids on their own. If the kites won’t fly in your own space, move the party to a park or open space and see whose can soar the highest! Have prizes for the most creative kite, the best flier, and maybe an honorable mention for best effort (or for the kite that got away)!
Invite your guests to bring a few of their favorite flowers to this girls night. Set up some tables with fresh blooms of your own, greenery, vases and room for guests to add their own flowers and design their own bouquets while sipping on wine or cocktails. Maybe make a homemade sangria.
Not only will you have a ton of fun being creative with friends, but you’ll also learn the types of flowers your friends enjoy—you can tuck that info away for when they’re having a “rainy” day.
Ask guests to each bring components for an epic charcuterie spread. Think categories: meats, cheeses, nuts, fruit, chocolate, wine. Sprawl a few of your favorite crackers, breads, and extras across a covered table, and as guests arrive keep adding to the spread. Once everyone is there, pour some glasses and enjoy grazing on the epic charcuterie spread while simply enjoying great conversation!
While it can be fun to think of special events to host and put effort into planning, everything is more fun when you keep things laid back. No matter the occasion the key to successful summer hosting is soaking in the nice weather, embracing the outdoors, and enjoying meaningful time with those you love—or those that you’re learning to love!
Keep it simple, but don’t be afraid to go wild and plan something out-of-the-box or a little bit “extra” if it brings you and your guests extra summertime joy!