There’s something about gathering with friends that I just adore.

Whether it’s friends that you’ve known for decades, who get you and love you regardless of the bedlam your life entails, or whether it’s new friends sharing their love of DIY and all things crafting over coffee and punch, women are meant to be in community together.

We are meant to share our stories and our history, to celebrate new projects, creativity and to just have fun together.

While we know in our hearts that life is meant to be shared, there are so many things that stand in our way of making that happen. Often, our lack of hospitality revolves around busy schedules, fear of opening our home because the decors not quite ready or the house isn’t clean enough, or even something as simple as stress over creating a menu.

We over-complicate something that is meant to be easy.

We forget that if our focus is truly on others by forging community and authentic friendship,

than it’s ok to invite people into your “it will never be perfect” home, complete with missing light switches and walls where the paint still hasn’t been finished.

They will not care, and if they do, invite some new friends. 🙂

Over the last two weeks, I’ve had so much fun opening our home to friends, old and new, and what I realized is that hospitality is about putting aside the worries, saying “Yes” to that voice in your head that says “You know you want too,” and offering an invitation.

Approached by Aladdin to feature their new Aladdin Mason Entertaining Collection, they gave me the challenge of spending no more than 15 minute prepping and planning.

Even though they assured me it was doable, I had my suspicions, but it was going to be an outdoor “Welcome Spring” party and I knew that anything hosted on our porch that took 17 years to build would be a hit.   Crazy weather hit once again in NC’s 2014 Icemagedan, so my easy outdoor entertaining wish needed to be moved indoors.

The 15 minute challenge became a bit more daunting, but with the gorgeous beauty of Aladdin’s mix and match mason collection, it was simple to create beauty and this spontaneous tablescape.

One thing I realized though, the more engaged I became in the process, the more convinced I was that this was a wonderful challenge for everyone. 15 Minute Hospitality:  put aside this past notion of what we view entertaining to be or how the magazines portray it and focus on the important stuff – the inviting, the engaging, the community and the sharing of life together.

Yes, it’s all possible and I’m excited to share a 15 Minute Party Planning Series with you during the month of April.

Inspired by my Aladdin party, I’ve realized that over the years, I’ve created quite the arsenal of quick, easy and fun hospitality ideas that I’ve never shared with you, so I’m going to be highlighting food, cleaning, decor and practical party planning ideas.

If this is your passion, feel free to email me some of your ideas. I’d love to feature them.

The Aladdin team hopes that they will inspire you to stress less and get together more: more impromptu patio parties, more at-home happy hours, more game nights and BBQs.

I couldn’t agree more!

Now, I’m just praying the typical beautiful NC weather to finally break through, so I can enjoy hosting some simple gatherings outside on our homestead.

Isn’t this just gorgeous?

Simple, elegant and its ambiance just calls us to come sit and relax for awhile.

There’s nothing better than that.

Won’t you join me?

What are some of your most memorable parties?

Do you have any tips or ideas you’d like to share with my readers? I’d love to hear them.

We tried to make outdoor entertaining occur, but it was brisk. 🙂

Thank you to Aladdin for sponsoring this post and giving me such a wonderful excuse to gather. Check out their new Mason Jar Collection. It’s so versatile and fun, and since it’s now offered at Walmart, you know it’s wonderfully affordable.  The fact that this line is heavy duty BPA free plastic and not glass is a game changer for when I host large groups, especially with children.