One of the best birthday presents I ever received was a table. Actually, it was a Turquoise Table. And I love my table.

Have you heard of The Turquoise Table? It’s a book and movement by Kristin Schell to help connect people and build communities. The premise behind the Turquoise Table is to set a table in your front yard and then be available to your neighbors.

I have been thinking for a while that I wanted to use my table to share with my friends and neighbors. My table is in Pinecone Cottage, which I  feel should also be a place of sharing. I use my Turquoise Table for crafting, staging, and eating.  But I haven’t used it for connecting with others, yet. My plan is to invite people over for sharing, visiting, eating, crafting, and just enjoying each other’s company.

The idea behind the Turquoise Table is not perfection and entertaining. It’s connecting and building relationships. Reaching out to get to know and share with others on a deeper level. To become a more hospitable person.

Hospitality is something of a lost art. Too many people think that hospitality is having a perfect home and being the perfect entertainer. It really is none of those things. The dictionary defines hospitality as the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers. Treating them in a warm, friendly and generous way. Not one word about perfection. So here are 5 ways to practice hospitality in our homes and garden sheds. How we can use our turquoise tables or brown tables or no tables to be warm, caring, and generous with others.

5 Ways to Practice Hospitality…

Be Genuine

Hospitality is not fussy or fancy. It comes from the heart. It’s a desire to share yourself and get to know others. Hospitality has nothing to do with setting a perfect table and serving the fanciest foods. It’s warmth, kindness and caring. It is just being you. So be genuine.

Serve Up Love

You don’t have to spend a lot of time and money being hospitable. You can serve a simple plate of cookies and lemonade.  Or a cup of coffee with homemade zucchini bread. Simple fare. The point is to spend time and connect with your friends and neighbors not to try to impress anyone. So serve up love as you share around your table.

Consider What Your Friends and Neighbors Need

Hospitality is offering a helping hand. It’s an opportunity to share your skills and knowledge. Is your neighbor a new mom who could use advice on her colicky baby. Or is it a family member who needs some gardening wisdom. Maybe your friend just needs a shoulder to cry on. Make your hospitality about others not about you. So reach out and try to help meet their needs.

Just Be a Friend

In today’s world we have so many acquaintances but very few friends. Becoming more hospitable helps you to create true friends. How many of us ever take the time to connect with our neighbors? So often we just wave as we drive by. Opening our homes in hospitality means that we can deepen these connections with our neighbors. We become friends, not just acquaintances. Learn to be a friend.

Keep it Simple

Hospitality does not need to be complicated. Come up with a simple process that takes the stress out of being hospitable.  Create a signature meal or 2 that you enjoy making and then use them regularly. No need to constantly try to prepare new dishes. Another option would be to invite your friends and neighbors over for coffee or dessert. It is so much easier to whip up a coffee cake or make a simple dessert than to make a full meal. Keep the process simple.

If you can remember these 5 principles, then hospitality really becomes all about reaching out to those around us. How many of us these days take the time to be friendly and helpful to others. We are so lost in our own little worlds that we rarely think about what others need. God called us to just the opposite. He called us to love each other. So find a place to start and begin reaching out to others around you. For me, I’m going to start with my Turquoise Table.

I want to gather around my Turquoise Table as a way to connect with my friends and neighbors and to become a more hospitable person. As I share what happens around my Turquoise Table I hope that you can get some ideas on becoming more hospitable and creating a community of your own. Come and join me as I share around my Turquoise Table!