On a warm and sunny Sunday in June, I co-hosted Sunday Supper (also known as hosting dinner at home) to kickstart Sun Cookery in our new community of Charleston, S.C. My co-host and friend, Janon German, (also a Real Estate professional) wanted to host a gathering to broaden her community. We both share the belief that building strong communities and connecting with people in person can change the world.
Given my passion for hosting at home and Janon’s passion to find the right home for everyone; we embarked on hosting a gathSunday Supper. We envisioned small supper bites, lively conversation and new friends.
Lesson 1: Harness the Power of an Invitation to Build Community
The beauty of hosting Sunday Supper together, lies in how Janon and I met only a few months prior. I had reached out to a local entrepreneur for connections in the real estate industry; she graciously obliged by sending me a few connections via social media. I messaged each of those connections and Janon was the only one who responded. A few weeks later, we met for breakfast and within an hour, it felt like reuniting with an old friend. We laughed, cried, and shared ideas and dreams for our newly launched businesses and shared our life stories.
I often think about what if I hadn’t extended the invite to Janon for us to meet OR what if she hadn’t accepted my invite? This applies to hosting at home . . . it all begins with an invite. Let down your guard and extend the invitation; therein lies the essence of community building.
This advice held true when we embarked on the creative process for our Sunday Supper. The first step was developing a guest list of local business people, media, entrepreneurs, and community leaders that inspired us. We reached out on social media and created printed invitations to hand-deliver and send via snail mail. We requested an RSVP and included several ways to reach each of us, yet, we still found ourselves texting, emailing, and tracking people down to determine attendance. However, we completely forgot to put a deadline on the RSVP.
HOSTING TIP: Request an RSVP in your invitation with a deadline date!
Requesting an RSVP is essential for every great host. Knowing how many people are coming helps determine food, drink, setup, parting gifts, and more. It also allows YOU, the host to be thoughtful in menu development, home accessibility, décor, music, and entertainment.
Lesson 2: Embrace Vulnerability as the Host
Hosting with vulnerability simply means–be yourself. Truly. You do YOU. That’s what guests want from a great host–to see you in your home, your space, sharing the best of yourself. In hosting Sunday Supper–we went all in starting with our bold and fun attire, incorporating drinks and food that we love, and curating parting gifts for guests that reflected each of us.
HOSTING TIP: Wear what makes YOU feel comfortable and reflects your personality!
When you invite someone into your home, you’re offering more than a meal; you’re offering a space for genuine interaction and relationship-building. We experienced this firsthand; the Sunday Supper was a testament to the power of opening your home and heart to others.
Lesson 3: Hosting with Purpose to Create Meaningful Experiences
As hosts, our primary goal is to create meaningful experiences for our guests. This does not mean you have to have over-the-top entertainment or a six course meal or custom florals and decor for hosting dinner at home.
In hosting this Sunday Supper, the focus was creating a warm and inviting atmosphere that encouraged conversation and connection. We began the Sunday Supper with brief introductions and a beautiful prayer led by Janon’s mom, Nancy.
Also, we considered how we would use the food to bring people together. Sharing a meal creates a sense of camaraderie and fosters deeper connections. The action of “breaking bread” together encourages fellowship and creates an organic sense of community.
For the Sunday Supper, we worked with a local Chef who embraced the idea and the purpose of our gathering. She created food stations reflecting a menu that correlated to Sun Cookery’s hosting collections and spaced them throughout the entertaining space to keep the flow of guests moving throughout the home.
HOSTING TIP: Incorporate Food in Spaces that Keep Guest Moving and Interacting
Lesson 4: Extra Touches That Create Lasting Memories
You know the book, “don’t sweat the small stuff “? I know it well and I’m all for the small stuff! I believe that’s what makes hosting at home fun and memorable. At Sun Cookery, we believe the small touches create lasting memories and you will find several small touches, that are thoughtful, unique, timeless, and artisanal in every one of our curated hosting at home collections.
Keeping that in mind for the Sunday Supper, we decided to give each guest a parting gift that would serve as a reminder of the inaugural Sunday Supper and also inspire them to open their homes and hearts to guests in the near future.
I gave each guest one of the handmade African wish baskets found in our Wrapped In Warmth host gift collection. The baskets are made by women in African villages, passing along their craft of basket making and their belief in manifesting your wishes by writing them out and placing the paper in the basket. My wish is for every guest to host dinner at home for someone!
Janon gave each guest a beautiful handmade keychain crafted with local sea grass by her mom, Nancy. Tucked inside small bags, guests would find a gift created with artistry significant to the Charleston locale: Sweetgrass basket weaving. Simply stunning!
HOSTING TIP: Give guests a surprise parting gift to commemorate the event. A small piece of your favorite chocolate or small cards that simply say: “Thanks for coming!” is a nice touch!
More pictures to inspire your very own Sunday Supper! : 4 Hosting Tips & Lessons from a Sunday Dinner as a Co-Host!
Building a Culture of Connection by Hosting Dinner at Home
At Sun Cookery, we believe building community begins with an invitation and requires vulnerability with a genuine desire to connect. By opening our homes we can create meaningful experiences that enrich our lives and the lives of those around us. Lastly, the next time you receive an invitation consider the possibilities it holds. The next time you feel inspired to host at home, embrace the opportunity to build community and create lasting memories. Let’s get back to hosting at home and disconnect to connect!
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