Ok, who else gained weight yesterday just scrolling through the delicious recipes listed? We could write a cyber cookbook!
If you haven’t left one yet, you still can. And remember, you may comment on all of the post until Easter. Then, all winners will be announced the day after. 
And speaking of cooking….today’s guest does a lot of that. From comfy in the kitchen, meet my new friend and culinary expert Janelle Nehrenz!
Janelle Nehrenz is a Christian wife and mom of 3 young children. She has a meal ministry, co-leads a Summer bible study, and happily stays busy volunteering at church and her children’s school. Her spiritual gifts are a mix of “hospitality and evangelism” and she shares all about it on her blog Comfy in the Kitchen.
From Janelle’s heart:
Preparing your home for guests is a huge blessing..to you, your guests, and to the Lord.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31
What a great reminder of how important it is to open up our homes to others. Hospitality creates an opportunity to love others well all in the name of the Lord-A Lord who has given us a home to entertain in, food to prepare, friends and family who want to be with us, and the energy to serve others! It can also be the very foundation for fellowship, building bonds, memories, and relationships.
To some, opening up your home may be overwhelming…but please do not fret! If you tune into your guests “5 senses” you will be sure to be a “hostess with the mostess” and guests will feel very much at home. There is no doubt our loving God gave us these senses to bless us and to bless others…
How to touch on all of the “5 senses of hospitality” for your beloved guests.
The Five Senses:
- Hearing
- Sight
- Touch
- Smell
- Taste
Hearing: Play soft background music and turn dishwashers and washer/driers off before company arrives. If you think about it, how does it make you feel when you walk into a completely silent home? A home with a very loud TV? How about a home where the laundry and dishwasher is on? It’s awfully hard to have a conversation when there is too much background noise. In turn, it can also be “uncomfortable” if it is stark quite. Preparing your home’s “noise level” is a great way to think about your guests before they arrive.
Sight: Tidy up, vacuum, and wipe counter tops/floors before guests arrive. This will give them a nice, clean, and relaxing environment. Think of where your guests will travel through your home. Add a welcoming wreath to your front door, a few seasonal decorations, flowers, and make sure the guest bathroom is clean with fresh towels. Give an atmosphere of “loving well”.
Touch: Greet your guests! A hug, kiss on the cheek, handshake- whatever you feel comfortable with, but please make contact with them! Take their coats and walk them into the room you’d like to gather in…put your arm around them and make them feel at home. You are happy they are there and they took the time to visit you! What better gift is the gift of time? Welcome it.
Smell: Ahhhh….this is such an important one for me. When guests first walk into your home they are greeted by the smell!!! Food baking/cooking is definitely a smell everyone loves. But, that isn’t all! Open some windows for fresh air (weather permitting) and light a few candles for a special touch. I typically have candles lit in the foyer, living room, kitchen, and guest bath. If you have throw pillows/blankets on your couch, throw them in the wash before guests arrive so they smell fresh. I also love the smell of “Murphy’s Oil Soap”- I make sure to wipe my first floor floors down before company comes over simply for the smell!
Taste: Prepare a delicious appetizer, meal, and/ or dessert for your guests. If you are having guests over for dessert, put your dish in the oven so it will be finished 20 mins after guests arrive that way you can serve it piping hot out of the oven. Make a fresh pot of coffee. Casually place food and drinks in front of your guests-most people if asked, “Would you like something to drink” reply, “I am ok for now, thank you” . But if a pitcher of lemonade is in front of them with an empty glass, they are more willing to make themselves at home. Lay out napkins, silverware, and plates ahead of time so you can relax with your guests.
As you see, tuning into the 5 senses of your guests tackles all of the important steps it takes to love others well in your home! What a blessing it is to know others want to learn more about hospitality…may you light many candles and share much banana bread with those you love!
Now for the question and the giveaway:
It includes:
~ A funky flash drive (to save some great recipes from Janelle’s site?)
~ Some recipe cards
~ A Mint-Dark Chocolate Ghiradelli bar
~ A $10 Target card to buy a candle for your sense of smell to enjoy:-)
Just leave us a comment telling us which of the five senses of hospitality to which you usually pay most attention. Or, which one hadn’t you thought about before?
REMEMBER: We are also interacting over at Karen Ehman’s Book Studies on Facebook. Click here to “like” the page & join us.
Great post.. I pay most attention to sight and smell. Never thought of hearing. Usually TV is blaring along with the washing machine and dishwasher. Today I’m practicing my hospitality skills, we are having my granddaughters first birthday party with 50 plus people attending. I’m bout to have a nervous breakdown.. But Thankful for this post.. for encouragment.
I have 2–sight and smell. I can’t help it, but I always notice how clean the house is and how it smells. (I’m a bit of a clean-freak!
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When I know guests are coming I like my house to be clean and have a few seasonal decorations out. I always try to do this on my dining room table and in the living room I do the decorations even if there is no company coming. (the older i get the less decorating i do, but my family and I enjoy them) I most always have a candle burning or oil in a warmer, again seasonal, for myself and our guests. So after saying all that, i guess sight and smell are the senses I use the most. Have a great day
I am not sure which one a pay most attentiont to. MOST of these I have taken note of without realizing it at times. Though it IS my husband who usually thinks of the soft music:)
When I am planning on having people over I frantically clean the house and make sure it is spotless.
What a blessing it is to hear from ladies willing to tap into the gift of hospitality! I know I have been blessed by being the giver and receiver! Thanks for reading
Thank you Karen for giving me the blessing of sharing on your blog! New friends indeed! Love to you, Janelle
Sight and smell
I love sight…but must confess I am NOT a good housekeeper! I wish I was. I work outside the home at a very demanding job, and have considered many times hiring help. My “off” time I spend with my family and exercising. I can’t seem to fit it in (though maybe its that I hate it that much!) I really love a clean house – but am having a very difficult time attaining the sight sense around me much less be able to invite people over…which is going to have to change if we want to put this house on the market! Ok – thanks for letting me vent about that…pray for me?
Touch.. I am a hugging type of person. I love to cook so I would say smell. I think I got that from my mom n law. She always cooks when someone comes over then she always sends things home with you. I a so trying to work on the sight! have a blessed day every one.
I have to say it is taste, smell and sight when I am cooking. Haven’t thought much about touch but it definitely weighs in with certain recipes with instructions such as “shape the mixture into balls, etc. When I am entertaining it is sight and smell. Hearing is also important because soft music soothes the senses.
Well, this website won’t let me post my comment saying it looks like a duplicate. I don’t believe it is——–so much for that. Sorry if I had posted before—-don’t think I had.
I guess I was wrong it seems to have posted my comment for me. Sorry.
No problem, Darlene!!!
I am all about smell. I have tons of scentsy warmers that I like to burn with different scents in each area. Just make sure that they compliment and smell great!don’t clash. I have also fallen in love with Mrs. Meyers cleaning products. They are all fabulous and
That is…make sure the warmer scents don’t clash and the Mrs. Meyers products smell great!
What are the Mrs Meyers products?
I pay most attention to taste – I notice effort here and am not too bad at making this one, but touch and sight – not so much. Would love some help!
I’m aware of 2 senses I notice or prepare for; sight and smell. After reading this article I realize how important the sense of hearing is and recall how nice it is to hear music softly playing in the background (i.e. George Winston-one of my favorites). Hearing the soft music playing is like the icing on the cake.
For me it is sight and smell. I love having interesting things to look at that tell me what the hostess finds important. It is a great conversation starter and a way to get to know your hostess. I have a dog so the smell thing is hard, but I don’t like being able to smell the family pet.
Mostly I pay attention to the smell.It is important to my husband that the house smell good so I light candles and turn on the scentsy warmer.
I love this! I haven’t thought about it like this before… But definitely smell! Of course I try to have my house “company ready” clean, but next in line is scent
I love to have candles burning throughout my home to welcome guests.
I am a SMELL fanatic! Growing up in a home where we had dogs… I was always a little humiliated by the dog smell :/ Now that I’m in my own home I work hard to keep the place smelling wonderful. I use a lot of candles, hot oil burners, scentsy’s warmers or just room spray. My favorite is Christmas when the REAL pine tree is up and cinnamon candles are going. There is just something welcoming about entering a home that smells great!
I pay the most attention to sight and smell by cleaning and baking.
For me it’s smell. I’m usually cooking – if having guests or just for me. I tend to cook a lot on Sunday, so whenever my parents come over, if something’s cooking they say, “smells like Sunday”, even if it’s not!
I usually pay most attention to sight and smell. I try to make public areas at least tidy and scent is so important to me. I love using candles, potpourri and sprays. I hadn’t thought about hearing – even though that affects me strongly when I’m anywhere. I will be more cognizant of that when I have guests.
Thank you for sharing.
I probably pay most attention to sight-seasonal decorations-and smell-always have a candle or two burning!
I think about sight and smell most. I make sure the place is picked up and clean. I also have candles lit when guests come. Sometimes, I have something to eat for my guests. I always offer a beverage. I never thought about sound though. I just have it quiet. Maybe I’ll start using soft music.
I pay the most attention to sight and taste. I’m having some friends over tomorrow afternoon for movies, and have to pick up my appetizers today, so we’ll have some yummies to enjoy. My home is clean, and you’ve made me want to pick up some new candles, so everything will smell wonderful. Thanks for the ideas!
I pay attention mostly to sight and smell. If I know company is coming I love to have something in the oven so that the whole house smells good. I also like to have my house be tidy and maybe put out some fresh flowers.
I love all of the above. However, I must add to your list. Because I have health and mobility issues, I often find myself uncomfortable in some homes. When I arrive at the home of a new friend, who knows I walk slowly and with a cane, I am sometimes amazed that they didn’t realize I would have a problem with the flight of stairs to their front door. I also have food restrictions because of my diabetes and am sometimes (often) faced with having to choose water when everyone else is having sweet tea or sweet sodas. I am not offended if a hostess asks me ahead of time about my restrictions. I am saddened when I show up and feel they just didn’t want to be bothered to make sure I was comfortable in their home, too. I generally don’t make an issue of clarifying everything before accepting an invitation because it makes me look like a difficult person and they’d just rather not invite me to their house. You just don’t know how many people like me need your hospitality.
Great point Karen! My father us disabled and also has dietary restrictions. Sometimes it can be difficult.. I remember that when I invite others to my house. I make it a point to ask about dietary restrictions, allergies, etc. My home is accessible a wheelchair or scooter. Thanks for bringing that up.
I think sound! When visiting A SPA (which is a rare treat) I am always soothed by the soft music or the soft sounds of water running. We have a table top fountain that runs in our sun room. It is very calming!
I definitely pay most attention to sight, but like to focus on smell and sound too!
I have to say smell. I have two dogs and two little girls. As anyone who owns dogs knows, they can smell pretty bad quite fast. My daughters are 2 1/2 years old and the other is 9 months old. The fregerance from a dirty diaper can fill the home just as fast as stinky dog so I have to be extra cautious about the smell. Lately, I have been using Bath & Body Works candles and have been getting scent compliments every time I have a guest. I make sure candles are ALWAYS lit (except when i’m sleeping of course).
I would have to say sight and smell. It’s really hard to overlook some things .. extreme messes or piles of dirty dishes .. And smell is something that if it’s bad, is just a constant reminder and distraction. If there is a bad smell., I can focus on nothing else! .. Not that my house is perfect in any way, and Lord knows we have our share of bad smells at times.
Thank you for your message today. Today I will be preparing for my Dad’s 92nd birthday celebration which will be at our house, so your post is nicely timed (thank you Lord!). As I go through the rooms cleaning and making final touches, I find that if I do this with an attitude of trying to impress I end up as a CRABBY NAG but if I treat each task as a gift to my guests, I feel such peace and joy as I do each one. I am making beef stew from my mom’s recipe. Since she passed 20 years ago, I make this for my dad and brothers at least once each year. So I guess I’m focusing on taste and smell, but there will many hugs tomorrow, too! Thank you again!
When I’ve had people over in the past, I was pretty good with sight, smell, taste, and sound I’ve never been a touchy-feely type (although I LOVE hugs!), so I’ve never even considered touch as being an important aspect – thanks for that wake-up call! Our currently house is extremely small and I have a lot of STUFF, so cleaning in practically non-existent at times. It’s not filthy (we do manage to keep the bathroom & kitchen cleaned & living room vacuumed – stuff like that), but there’s so much clutter I often get overwhelmed and just can’t seem to bring myself to do anything. God has been impressing on me lately to start downsizing our stuff – I guess I’d better start listening! Thanks SO much for leading us all on this journey to follow His instructions to practice hospitality!
I pay the most attention to smell. I hate stinky homes. Next I pay the most attention to clutter. Not the the place is clean necessarily but that it is not piled up in every corner.
For me, smell and sight go hand in hand! I try to tidy up and freshen up the house before company comes over.
I pay the most attention to sight, and then smell. I never thought much about touch before.
Most definitely smell! If it’s too cold to open the windows and doors, I use a spray from Mrs. Myers. My husband is allergic to scented candles, so we can only get ambiance from lighting unscented ones.
I never paid much attention to sound before. My husband and I will be hosting a March Madness Championship party. You have given me much to think about.
I typically have dinner done within about 30 minutes of our guests arrival. I never thought about the noise factor. I have three energetic kiddos. That one I will have to put into practice. Hoping to have more people over soon. It has been months since our last get together.
My daughter is having a new friend over this afternoon to spend the night. Candle light is on…cleaning is being done by her and me.
I definitely am most affected by smell….
I think sight & smell are my two…I do love to burn candles for lovely scents. I also need to work on clutter….I get too many little stacks so papers, magazines etc. going on & it drives me crazy. I really need to spend some time every day on eliminating clutter hot spots so guests don’t see as my living room/dining room are right there when you walk in the door.
The big one for me is touch. I love hugs!
The least one I pay attention to is smell.
For me it is smell I love a good clean smelling house and a candle burning is a delish smell it’s so inviting. Sight is important though too I love a gorgeous arrangement of flowers also smelling yummo lol.
I am a sight girl, but never thought of sound…. Will remember next time I have someone over.
Sight is my top sense when it comes to having guest in my house.
I think I pay the most attention to smell I think it is bad when you walk in and it smells bad somewhere so to combat this I use a candle wax burner. I love it when someone comes up the stairs and asks what is that amazing smell It really makes my day.
Happy weekend everyone! Thank you Janelle for your post. Thank you for helping us to become more aware of each of the five senses when providing hospitality. I think I’m best at the sense of touch. I like to welcome with a big hug or a pat on the shoulder.
Oh my goodness, I am so happy to have found your site! I already read Janelle’s lovely blog so I followed her link over here and I’m so glad I did! I read “A Life that Says Welcome” years ago and LOVED it! Didn’t realize that there was a site that accompanied it! Whoo hoo!
Janelle, I think you wrote a great post. I love having people over and I do try to cover the first four senses but you are SO right with what you said about food. People will typically take the polite approach with the hostess but I have noticed that when food is out in front of them they do tend to dig right in! Thanks for the reminder to have coffee and snacks ready for them when they arrive. I really enjoyed this.
Great post Janelle…thank you. I think the thing I notice is smell…dinner cooking, candles in the bathroom. Having the beverages out and accessable is a great idea. A friend of our’s does that and I feel so comfortable pouring myself some tea or water…
I think taste and smell – good food with its good smells already filling the house.
I definitely work on sight and sound, but really could do a better job.
I usually think about smell when I’m having guests. I think it can really affect the atmosphere. On the flip side, we have to be careful that we don’t go overboard with it! Some things can be overpowering, and some people may have allergies. Oftentimes candles give me a headache after a couple of hours.
The one I think of least is touch. I’m not usually one to make the first move on hugs, but I do like to receive them! I will have to remember that. Also, couldn’t you do something with textures in your home, such as soft throw pillows or something like that, to appeal to the sense of touch?
Great lesson. From this lesson I realize that I have not done a great a job as I have fool myself into believing. Sound- will work on the noise level or lack there of. Pleasing music will become part of my background. Taste – A beverage setup will be in place when next I have a guest over. Love the idea of a pitcher of lemonade with pretty glasses; says we will break bread together. I also like the post with the water feature. We have a water feature outside but a small one inside would also be nice.
I usually think of a clean house first. However, they are all so equally important.
Sight, then smell, then sound… No clutter or piles, nice scent of air fresher or candles and soft music add great company and conversation… Wonderful!!!
I usually pay most attention to sight and smell. I try to have the house straightened up and dinner going. I don’t usually think about hearing.
I really like to burn oils (the type from the Body Shop and other places), it makes my house smell so good. I also think about the noise vs light music or the sound of tv. I like it quiet so I can hear but I think instrumental music would be good on very low. Thanks.
What a wonderful post and i LOVE the info shared by Janelle…I love the way she put things into perspective. I try so hard to look at my house and see what people visiting would see. I pay most attention to sight and touch. I want others to see a home that is welcome and inviting…not so clean that it looks like a magazine but just one that is lived in and they can be comfy in. I love to greet my guests with hugs…I want them to know I am very happy they are here with me. I think smell is worthy of paying attention to but to many candles and scents going on mess with some peoples noses so I don’t want them to spend their time sneezing while at my house. But I would have tissues ready
Thank you for this amazing information and praying that you all have a blessed day! Be blessed because you are a blessing.
Smiles and Blessings Abound,
Robin
This a great reminder to all even us “grandma’s”. Everyone loves to smell something wonderful, feel loved at that moment in time and made to feel that they are so important to you, to have your full attention! Thank you!
Well, since I have the nose like that of a drug sniffing police dog…I choose smell:) It’s the first thing I. notice wherever I go and in my own house.
I think I need to give more attention to the sense of hearing though. This was a great post!
Sight and smell are usually the most important to me.
Smell is what I usually pay most attention to the most. For as long as I can remember, I have always noticed the way things smell. From outdoors to walking into a home or place of business. Not sure if my sense of smell should be considered a blessing or a curse. ( ; I’ve never really thought about hospitality through sense of hearing. This is one that I need to pay more attention too. Loved reading about each of the senses. Thanks!
I hadn’t thought about hearing. We don’t have a TV, so there’s never an issue of TV noise. But, we do have a super load clothes washer that you can hear from the main floor. I’ll have to be sure to not have that going when company is coming over. And I never thought about how it being too quiet can be awkward. I typically listen to music all day, but have turned it off when company is coming over. I won’t be doing that anymore! Thanks for the tip!
All of the above for me …. What I would like to get better at is being relaxed when guests arrive
Much of my attention is focused on sight and taste. I had never really paid much attention to hearing, and adding soft music. Thanks so much for sharing.
I think the sense of smell is the “extra touch” I pay the most attention to.
What a confirmation from God about “hospitality and evangelism”. I believe that’s how relationships and friendships are born and grow. When I have guests over, my favorite way to make sure they feel welcome is to turn on some soft music and light a few candles. And I love feeding people with something I worked very hard to prepare, maybe a stack of delicate crepes with home-made vanilla butter or roasted chicken.
Something I don’t pay much attention to is the “touch” part. Maybe I should!
interesting post!
i dont really pay much attention to taste – we do offer our guests something but ive never bothered to do any thing extra like warm it in the oven.
They are all on my radar screen when company is coming over!!
I pay most attention to sight, smell and taste. I neglect touch and hearing. Thanks for the tips!
Wow, I’d never thought of hearing. Sometimes, if I think of it, I’ll put on some music. But, this article made me more aware of what my guests are hearing when they enter my home!
Definitely smell is very important to me. I have 5 dogs and a cat and am always afraid that any guests will smell animals
I had never really thought about sound but so glad you pointed this out.
Blessings
The sense of smell is what always gets me! I love to make our home smell nice, and I love when others have a nice smelling home. I try to coordinate my bread baking day on a day when someone is coming over!
I actually hadn’t even thought of using the 5 senses to entertain. What a wonderful way to remember these simple touches to make a guest feel special and welcome. I always make an effort to clean well so that the home feels tidy but usually leave it there. My guests have never had a true welcoming experience…..that’s about to change!!!
Have made the mistake of not havng drinks already ready and available, so if they are not in sight, most people will automatically say no. If the drinks are out and within easy reach, then yes, guest will most likely partake. Good tip.
Sound – music playing. I have 3 small children so when I go to someone elses’s house and I hear something other than crying, screaming or fighting, it is truly a blessing.
I have always been most concerned with smell, but never really considered touch and sound much. Excellent information!
I have 2 – smell and touch. I never really thought about hearing, it is usually quite loud in my house. I’ll have to try and pay more attention to that.
For the most part, I think I have these covered. I have a collection of acoustical guitar that I play when guests are over. I always have fresh cookies or breads, Got the the scentsy wamer on, Did my best to clean up and around. Probably the touch issue is hardest for me. Past abuse issues make hugging difficult for me, other than family. I don’t want other people hugging me, so I often don’t think of offering a hug to someone else. Getting a hug from me should be considered a gift. lol So I will work on becoming more huggy. My biggest issue with hospitality, is relaxing and enjoying company. My mom did not teach or use these skills. The parents never ever entertained. So I have had to learn these other the years. But I never feel comfortable. And it’s hateful to sit there trying to enjoy a guest and my mind is doing this check list…did I offer them a drink? Are they comfortable? Is that the cat pan I smell? Are the cookies overdone? So how do you help us neurotics to enjoy our company?
I have never thought about hearing. I like the idea of soft background music. Thank you for some great ideas.
My parents and siblings are all diabetic, which has made me much more sensitive in offering snacks and drinks appropriate for my guests. I am ALL about presentation when it comes to food or a dessert and I LOVE making a decadent, beautiful dessert that in fact is light or made with Splenda! That is a rarity for someone with sugar restrictions and it means the world to them when you go out of your way to prepare something special JUST for them.
I also have a niece with serious nut allergies and so I always ask my guests ahead of time regarding allergies. Several family members and friends are very sensitive to smell…. and even though “sugar cookie” is my favorite candle scent I am more careful now not to overwhelm guests in my home by scents. Lastly, I entertain my husband’s grandmother fairly often and she is 95 years old. She is seeing impaired and has some mobility issues as well. Serving her has helped me figure out simple ways to accommodate both her and future guests in a way that makes them feel loved and honored.
All of these experiences with friends and family members have taught be how to be a more sensitive and considerate hostess and I am grateful to be a blessing in these small but very meaningful ways!
Brandy Low
I really fear “entertaining”. This is so good for me! The one thing I haven’t thought of is the background sounds. Great idea.
site and how the house/home looks is important……..tidy it up
have something baking so smell is good too….
I had not thought about the noises in the house before. Great idea, I will pay closer attention to that. I try to focus on the house being picked up. With three little ones, there are often toys and treasures scattered everywhere. Great tips!! Thank you!!
I have always paid attention to the clean and definitely the smell but I have never given a lot of thought to the sounds or noise level. I usually have the dishwasher running as I am usually in that last minute get everything clean before company gets here even if it is right before they walk through the door. I love to have candles or scentsy going for smell. I always greet my guest but never thought so much about escorting them. Definitely going to try some of these the next time company comes. Thanks for all the insights.
I love that you said tidy up and not spotless. I pay close attention to sight and smell but I’m not perfect. I also hope that my guests enjoy whatever I have cooked for them.
Thanks Karen for doing this study and having wonderful guests!!
I pay attention to all 5 senses, HEARING~If the musc is too loud then no one can hear each other and you can barely think about whats needs to be done, SIGHT~I always have a visual as to how things should be and look when entertaing or just how a room should look period, I pay attention to all of the details, TOUCH~TOUCH is not just about the hi=uman touch, it also about the feel of objects that are in the room, SMELL~The aroma of baked goods, the aroma of your meal, the scent of a candle burning, the smell of your fragrance all adds up to a warn and inviting home, TASTE~Taste, oh it can look good from the outsidebut if it does not taste good then all you have done is wasted your time, your enery and your money, if you are going to make the time to prepare a dish then take your time to prepare it, TASTE is EVERYTHING ALONG WITH APPEARENCE AND PRESENTATION!
Please include APPEARENCE and PRESENTATION to your list!
I love the smells when walking into a house and hearing the music, it set the mood for where you are and the party or visit with family and friends. I noticed the home as we walk though, but it is not as imporrtant as the people or smells in the house!
I pay the most attention to sight. I also do all of the others, but I don’t focus on them as much. What a great way to prepare for guests. I will think of these next time.
I would say “smell” is the most important sense to me. If something smells good you must be at the right place becasue they cared enough about you prior to your arrival.
The sound and touch, I have not intentionally though of in the past. I am super excited, because today we are having guests for a cookout. I am going to try to cater to their senses. THANK YOU!!
I love reading this post. I will spend more time on pleasing people with the sense of smell, first, and then soft music in the background. It is so relaxing! I’m learning alot here. Thanks so much!!
I love opening our home to guests! And I try to pay attention to all five senses. But the one that takes a bit more preparation for me…or I need to think ahead is…taste!
I always pay a lot of attention to the sight and the smell (smell is the big one for me since I have a very sensitive nose). The least is hearing… somehow I always forget to turn on soft background music.
I loved reading about the 5 senses and hospitality. Usually I pay attention to the taste part, making my guests delicious food. I am going to try to pay more attention the the sound part. Nice background music is a great idea! Thank you!
I am with Latoya – hospitality is not about home decor, cooking skills etc – yet Janelle’s ideas are great, if you have the time. I must say, just reading her tips made me feel tired and overwhelmed: I wouldn’t want to feel I couldn’t offer hospitality if my home wasn’t ‘ready’.
Still, when there is time, for a special occasion it is good to think ahead and prepare a welcoming environment. I don’t usually pay much attention to sound, so that is a great tip.
Touch ~ I never really thought about it as “the five senses”. We have ALWAYS hugged people when they arrive at our house. It is our way of welcoming them to our home.
Quiet is important when guests arrive so that you can focus entirely on them.
I love walking into a house that smells great whether it be from candles or something yummy in the oven!!
I pay most attention to smell–I love to have something yummy baking, like cinnamon bread, or a candle burning. This may sound weird, but I love to have my bathrooms smell of cleaner or Lysol, because to me there’s nothing worse than using someone’s guest bathroom and it is absolutely disgusting–I want my guests to know I care about them and have made the bathroom fresh for them to use. I also love to spray my carpets and linens with those “clean linen” scent air fresheners you can buy.
I have not paid a lot of attention to the “touch” sense. I am one who will greet someone with a hug when they first walk in, but other than that I don’t think I am mindful of it the rest of the night. Perhaps the initial greeting is sufficient, but I honestly haven’t given it much thought because I am a naturally huggy person.
I really haven’t paid attention to sound as there are alston always and I mean always lots of kids around and coming over. So , surely there is a way to incorporate a nice sound even for the pleasure of the lie ones!
I hadn’t really thought about the sound. I actually am easily distracted by background noise so I often prefer my house totally quiet but most people prefer a little noise I guess. I will work on this and look for some good praise CDs to play when company arrives. I also don’t hug or touch my guests for the most part. I guess maybe that’s another thing I will have to figure out how to work in. Thanks for making me think of these things.
The most important is touch, sight and smell. I always greet my guests with a hug and another when they leave. Throughout the evening I let the Holy Spirit guide me to whom needs more attention, listener, and a big hug! Smell important because if my house smells nice in turn means my house is clean (sight). My main smell is the bathroom; it has to smell clean!!
Sight is what I concentrate on – sounds is one I hadn’t thought of before…
As a child I would stay at friends homes and never thought about all these things I just enjoyed the time with my friend. Once I helped make a salad and her dad asked who cut the lettuce with an axe. I still chuckle over that today. In so many ways we need to become like children. It’s when we become adults that we feel the pressure about our homes. I manage to keep the kitchen and main living areas somewhat tidy. I have had sound play in the background and do that for my grandchildren. I found a wonderful CD for them Baby’s First Hymns and play that through the night. Usually just some quiet instrumental music. For smell I have a candle that I usually light in the kitchen. I just went to check the title of the CD and I could smell the scent in their bedroom. Touch is a little more difficult, I usually keep soft blankets tossed over the sofa. I love to cozy up in a soft blanket. I’m not the world’s best cook by any means and usually enjoy baking. I’ve had a few moments lately that we know I’m cooking when we hear the smoke detector…LOL. I guess those are the days I’m a little more busy than usual or more distracted…
I’ll leave you with a little tip for making your home smell like you’ve been baking. I take a small pan with water and toss in some ground cinnamon, let it boil and then simmer. Turn off before all the water disappears (so you don’t hear the smoke detector). Enjoy the fresh baked scent. Thanks for all the posts-I’ve enjoyed reading them.
I once had a guest that came in and said…Mmmmm! This smells like Grandma’s used to smell…wood smoke and baking bread. It never occurred to me they would be aware of the wood stove..I was so used to it. It stuck in my mind that I had greeted them with a pleasing aroma and so I like to have a scented candle or something cooking that smells good. I have a silent house…by planning…because I don’t want distractions, and want the house to be filled with the conversation of my guests.
I hadn’t really thought of the sense of “touch”…..so glad you mentioned that, as it really does make a big difference if someone touches your arm, puts an arm around your shoulders, etc when you come into their home (and even church too). It is so easy to light some votives and play some soft music. And flowers or greenery or even a figurine as a centerpiece on your table show that you care about your visitors!
As a hostess I focus on smell. Candles, fresh brownies or cake are my favorites. As a guest, I notice sounds. I am distracted by large, loud, prominent TVs. They take away from conversation and a focus on the people gathering together.
I pay most attention to smell and touch. I too like to have something baking when friends arrive — I love the house smelling like fresh baking. ….and it is always important to answer the door, take coats and be welcoming. I have been to homes where I have to let myself in and that is just awkward!!
Loved the idea of the Murphy’s Oil Soap! I have mostly hardwood floors and have been just “swiffering”, now I will use the Murphy’s……thanks
i never really thought about touch before, but now that you mentioned it, a lightbulb has gone off. i will have to start to practicing this one because that is not something i normally think about and practice.
the one hospitality i pay attentio to is smell; i am not sure if it’s scent that help bring a memory or remind me of some of my favorite things but when i walk in a room and it smells like vanilla or fresh baked cookies or even flowers i think of all thoses things. i never gave much thought to touch and taste but i always concern myself with sight and hearing; i feel that guest should see a clean and tidy space, quite and peaceful; not walk into a room or home and it’s unorderly, filled with loud choatic nosie.
but then again some folks may like a smelly, dirty,loud place! don’t know any myself but ya’ never know!
Sight and smell! I have never thought of hearing before. I always turn the tv off, but I’ve never thought of putting music on. Great idea!
Smell is the most important thing to me, so I try to make sure that my company has a scentsational welcome.
I use the senses sight and taste the most-I love to keep a clean and nicely decorated home, leaving small touches for guests and I love to bake and cook delicious foods.
Although each of the five senses are included in my preparation for guests, the sense of taste would be the most important to me. It’s important that everything from start to finish taste good to my guests, and that it would be a taste/dish that they would consider special.
I really enjoyed this post. I had never thought about the sound before. That was very ear opening for me. lol I think sight is my biggest thing. Do I feel comfortable!!!! I’m not comfortable in homes that are over done. I appreciate casual and I don’t intend to eat off anyones floor. Ever.
njh
The one I pay the least attention to is sound. I like the soft background music idea. My mother in law used to always have classical music playing lightly in the background and it was so soothing!
I had not thought about the background noise before. Sometimes my dishwasher or washing machine might be running, and I now wonder if my guests think they are ” butting in” on my cleaning time. I will be taking this into consideration from now on!
I would say hearing is the one that I have never though of before, but it makes total sense! I have started the dishwasher before when guests have come over, and even though it’s a “quiet” model, not having that running while we are relaxing and talking is probably a good idea!
Sight is a big one for me. It doesn’t have to be spotless clean, but have things away and in their place..
As a person with allergies, please b careful with the scents of candles
I also love the idea of having drinks setting out.
My favorite sense is smell. I always have a nice smelling candle burning when company is coming.
I think I am usually paying more attention to how things look. I want everything to be put away and clean. I haven’t thought too much about touch though. My mother was a hugger she would always greet people with a hug.
Hearing is one I hardly ever think of, and I’m a professional musician, so there’s really no excuse there.
I am so concerned about “sight”. I will clean my house before company arrives, but I really need to do a LOT of de-cluttering, and feel embarrassed about the clutter in my home. But…when they come in, they usually make a comment about the smell (pleasant smell of the food)!
I’ve never thought that much about touch & sound. I need to focus more on those!
Touch is the one that struck me. I’m not a “naturally” touch-y person, probably because I grew up in a non-touchy family (my mom still only occasionally gives me the awkward side hug, pat thing. lol!) It is one that I did not think about. Gotta work on making my hug a little less awkward! haha!
Sight and smell are what I pay most attention to. I try to have all my clutter picked up and the house smelling clean when I have company over.
I haven’t given much thought to the sense of hearing – might have something to do with the fact that there are typically tons of kids running around.
However, when I have my ladies over on Monday afternoons for bible study and tea I will make an effort to have soft music playing in the background.
I rarely turn on music when guests are here. Yet I always enjoy it when there is background music at someone else’s house. I am going to be more conscious of the sense of hearing next time I have guests!
Smell. I love a homey cinnamony smelling house.
My biggest thing is probably sight and smell. Things picked up even if it has to be set on our bed wtih the door shut so no one sees it. I love the smell of a candle or food baking.
Usually I am cooking when people come over and so I greet them at the door and don’t necessarily hug/kiss/touch right away, bu I need too. I need to wipe my hands and give full attention to the arrival of my guests! Love this study!!
For me, I think ‘sight’ is what I focus on. I make sure downstairs rooms are tidy, half bath is given a quick once over, vacuum (if needed), seasonal flowers are almost always around the house (with or without guests) & candles/tealights are lit. As for ‘sound’, it seems we have music playing more during the holidays than other times of the year. An area I really need to improve on is ‘touch’! I, unfortunately, shy away from it.
Of all of the five senses, I have never thought of ‘touch’. Growing up, there was never a ton of hugging and touching. There was not much of personal interaction going on period so just now, I am realizing why I have such a fear of ‘hosting’ any type of gathering! Don’t get me wrong, people love me and I love people but I never really thought of touch as such an important thing. My goal: Touch more! =)
I plan ahead for sight, smell and taste, but didn’t put as much effort into hearing pleasant sounds and greeting them with a touch. Now understanding the importance of all of the senses, I will include all of them in my schedule.
When expecting guests, I plan ahead for sight, smell and taste, but didn’t put as much effort into hearing pleasant sounds and greeting them with a touch. Now understanding the importance of all of the senses, I will include all of them in my schedule.
Thank you for the post. I am always on tune with the smell sense. I love to burn candles that help my home to smell fresh. I am not so good on the touch sense!
I feel like I respond mostly to sounds and smells. When going away, even for a day or 2, I like to pour a small amount of pine sol into the toilet bowls for a nice, fresh smell throughout the house upon returning home.
Great idea- thanks for sharing!
I love to entertain and find that a clean, good smelling home instantly puts my guests at ease. We always have on background music. Love my candles! Will work on ensuring beverages are out and ready to be served- great blog today (and each day)–loving this study-can’t wait to get my book! Blessings and smiles from Houston, TX!
i need to incorporate the background music; i am a music lover, but my CD player and radio have both died – so am looking for a system to put into my downstairs. great ideas – thanks!
I pay most attention to sight! I have never really thought about hearing.
Well, I guess that all of my senses are pretty attuned when I am in someone else’s home. But looking back to something that Mandi posted….
PLEASE, for those of you who have pets, if you know that your guest does NOT have pets in the home, take a clue! I am not a pet person. I recently was in the home of a family who has a cat and a dog in the house. When I left I had so many pet hairs stuck to my clothes and hose that I itched all over!! We had a two and a half hour drive home and I was miserable! The hairs were so imbeded in the hose that I couldn’t get them out even by running them through the laundry! I had to throw away a perfectly good pair of hose. I had to was our clothes twice to get all the pet hair out. I was SO disgusted! I really don’t want to ever go back to their home. Not because of the hosts, they are family and I love them. But because of the pets! Another family member has pets in the house and the smell is enough to make one gag! So, if a person has pets in the house, maybe they should think twice before having over someone who isn’t a pet person. Then again, which is more important? Having an animal in the house OR having good Christian fellowship in your home while fulfilling the plan of God in being hospitable? Hmmmm. . .
I love a neat and tidy home and LOVE to look at how others decorate their homes. I wish that I had the decoration bug but it just didn’t happen for me, but I love to look at others homes and how they decorate!
definately smell!
I like to pay attention to all that she mentioned in her article. I definitely have the candles going and freshen up the house by dusting, vacuuming etc. I put the lights on lower because everyone looks better in softer lighting! I try to have either fresh flowers or fruit as a centerpiece. I put the music on light classical or something soothing. I make sure there are fresh towels and guest towels in my powder room. I have only lived in my new house for a little over a year and haven’t had as many people over as I would like. I am going to start praying that God would show me just who I need to show hospitality to. Thanks for all the great tips!
I find that I think most about what people will see when they visit our home. I am a big visual person myself; I also tend to be a perfectionist. Therefore dwell on the sight of our home when anyone is coming over. However, I’ve never really thought about “touch” before. But I like what Janelle said about using a hug, handshake, or offer to take a coat as a means of touch.
I try to hit on all but just by happenstance. Now I will make sure I do. I always cook for guests so there is always smell and depending on the meal…if it’s Irish I play Irish music etc.
As a single mom of two girls they are always wanting to have a friend over or invite someone for lunch after church. I keep chocolate chip cookie dough on hand to bake at a moments notice. Who doesn’t love the smell and the anticipation of warm chocolate chip cookies fresh out of the oven with a glass of cold milk for the kids; hot fresh coffee for mom and the aults!
Mine would be Smell….I am really big on having my house smell good…I love the smell of fresh cut flowers!
Thanks for the hospitality encouragement! I think my favorite sense to entertain is the sense of smell. There is nothing like a fresh clean smelling home. It is so inviting to me. I will be sure to light a few candles tonight before my guests arrive!
I always think about the hearing part, with soft favorite music on….
I never thought about touch before, but I will from now on.
Well, I have a difficult time picking my favorite! I grew up with a great example of hospitalitiy….in a church with lots of farming families when Sundays were sacred….with the exception of caring for the animals….so we were almost always hosting a sunday meal or going to someone elses place. We were poor in finances, but rich in blessing of making nothing seem like something special…bringing the outdoors inside was big…it’s amazing how replicating God’s creation or simple bring pieces of it inside adds beauty to the home. Use pansie blooms or nasturtiums on desserts, kale leaves as a base garnish, fashion an egg tree out of collected falled branches, tiny vases or jars with fresh flowers (they fit just about anywhere even bathrooms) interesting pinecones, fashion nests (real ones can carry bugs/fungus) of vines/grasses and paint some little pebbles to replicate some real speckled eggs, collect moss clumps to add some little green areas….
I have always turned the tv off when company arrives. When I plan ahead, we have some instrumental cd’s we like to play when we entertain. And I have always been a fan of candles and now the scentsy pots. I love the tip about setting out the drinks, instead of asking “can I get you something to drink?”
I have always turned the tv off when company arrives. And when we plan ahead we have several instrumental cd’s we like to play when we entertain. I have always been a fan of candles and now the scentsy pots. I like the tip of setting the drink out, instead of asking
“Can I get you something to drink?”
I pay most attention to sight, making sure everything is tidy before guests arrive.
Smell isn’t one I think of often . . . however, I did when we had a dog! I think taste is #1 for me since the first thing I do when I know I’ll be having company is to figure out the menu, keeping it simple, but nice. #2 would be sight – I tidy up, making sure things are comfortable, but not perfect starting a day or two ahead. I always try to have some sort of centerpiece on my table, too, using things that either I have on hand or from nature. The last centerpiece I did was purchasing a $5 flowering plant and placing it inside the opening of a ceramic pitcher I had – so simple, but elegant! #3 for me is hearing – I love to have the satellite radio on an easy to listen to station like “Coffee House”, just as background music – not to interfere with conversation. If I go someplace and there’s no background music, it seems awkward. Anyway, thanks for the reminder that God wants us to open our homes to others, to show the love of the Lord to them I need to do it more often – even spontaneously!
I never thought about having the dishwasher on could be a distraction. Great idea! Candles are my go-to sense. It could be 80 degrees outside & 11am & I’d still have a candle lit.
My hospitality is basically limited to Sunday lunch so usually the house is clean, there is food to eat and smell and occasionally music in the background. But my hard one is touch since that doesn’t come easy for me. I’m usually finishing up food prep when guests arrive and I greet them with words but I am definitely going to be more aware of being more welcoming with some kind of touch. Thanks for the reminder!
I notice the smell…love the smell of something homemade cooking.
I pay attention to smell. I want my home to be clean and smell fresh but not like a bottle of cleanser which is why I clean the day before guests arrive. I try to have something baking in the oven when they enter my home. The smell of freshly baked bread or a pie to me are very welcoming.
Never considered “touch” but this reminded me of when I’ve been on the receiving end of touch when being a guest (a simple touch on the back as you enter/exit). It’s a very great idea!
I had never really thought about sound, I see what you mean and will definitely make it a point to have soft music playing the in the background now! Thanks for making this easy with the five senses so I can remember!
Definitely sight and smell and music if is evening. I was always afraid of candles with my children so I bought the candle warmers.
Loved this! I typically pay most attention to sight and smell though sound is pretty close to the top of the list. I love to come into a place with candles glowing and soft music playing which is also what I try to do for my guests too. It says welcome…whether the smell is the candle, the coffee, or something nice baking!
I’ve really never thought about “touch”. My family aren’t really huggers so I didn’t realize how important touch could be. And that’s an easy one to learn!
Thank you for the reminder to pay attention to all five senses. Hearing I do automatically without thought. Smell, touch, and taste are all important to me. My hardest issue is sight because though my house is clean it is usually cluttered. I read, I think here on an earlier post, to enter your home as your guest with fresh eyes to see what they see, and that is helping me, but it is still an obstacle.
I love the concept of using the five senses for our guests. A new way to look at things
Thanks so much for walking us through the 5 five senses…I never thought much about the sound and touch aspects! Next time I have a guest you can be sure that I will pay special attention to those two senses.
I am a smell person. I love the smell of something yummy cooking. I am also a terrible housekeeper w/ 3 kids and 2 dogs. After reading some of the comments, I will need to pay more attention to my living space before opening my home.
I think the sense I never gave much thought to was hearing. I love the ideas about monitoring the machines in the house so they won’t be on when guests arrive. I will make an effort to have something appropriate to listen to. Thanks so much for the idea.
A welcoming touch is one I never really considered much of a high priority, until my guest are leaving at the end of the visit… .I always think about a clean environment & smell goods with candles or scents that are welcoming, but love the idea of going the extra level to really appreciate the guest who has taken time to come visit is really something to be celebrated more in my home as I welcome them in and really let them know how much they are appreciated and wanted.
I, like most others have said, seem to put most thought into sight, smell, & taste. I need to think more about hearing and touch. Thanks for the reminder!
I mostly think about sight. I run around and clean as best I can when I am in a hurry. I rarely think about sounds and even snickered a little when I read this. I recently had my brother over for a visit and he kept looking around. At one point he asked me if it was raining because he was hearing water. I realized that the dishwasher was going and it was a huge distraction for him.
For me it is a toss up between sight and sound. I love beauty,
the kind that brings peace and pleasing sounds (whether it be inspiring ministry music or what I call God’s music, nature)
sight & smell. I use them to critize & put myself down – why can’t I have a home as neat as her or I wish I could decorate like she does or her home is always so clean and smells so fresh. Then fear sets in and I don’t invite people over. When someone stops by unexpectedly, I meet them on the front porch and don’t invite them in and my family has learned to do the same. How very sad of me and what does the person who stopped by think….
The sense of hospitality I pay most attention to is: Sight. I make sure the house is clean and decorate with a few seasonal decorations/ flowers.
The one I didn’t think about was Touch. I read the five senses to my husband and he hadn’t thought about it either. So, next time we have company, which is this coming Sunday, he is going to greet the males and I am greeting the females. But we are usually so busy with preparations, that we forget the greeting and people just come in. Can’t wait to try it out.
I would give the most attention to taste and the least attention to sound, most likely because I like it quiet, I don’t need a radio or music on but I do need to think of my guests.
I would have to say sight and smell for me personally.
I usually focus on sight and taste the most. I spend a lot of time deciding on just the right menu and making sure the house is at least tidied up, if not always dusted and vacuumed. I’ve never really thought much about the touch aspect. I think I’ll be paying more attention to that one in the future.
Scent, I love oil burners in blueberry cheesecakes and touch, can you ever have too many micofleece blankies lying around?
Excited to focus on the sense of hearing. Haven’t put a lot of time into that one. Thanks for the tip:)
Most definitely – SMELL! In the entry way, I put a new “Scentsy” wax scent in before company comes, always have a Bath & Body wallflower plugged in near where they enter the house, have candles buring in the living room, and a new 99 cent glade solid in the bathroom. I also spray Fabreeze on the couches/chairs/pillows – and sometimes even the carpet. And yes, weather permitting, I like to “air out the house” the way my mother did. Oh, and the BEST scent that I love to provide for guests whenever possible is that of freshly washed bedding that has been hung outside on the clothesline to dry. There is no other smell quite like that – AHHHH! You can’t help but have sweet dreams ?.
I had never thought of the suggestion to casually put food and drinks out in front of guests. You are absolutely right – most people, when asked, say they are fine and don’t want anything if they are just stopping by for a brief visit and not a meal. I love that tip and all the great ideas. Thanks so much!
I like to make sure my home smells nice. I always have a Bath and Body plug in behind our grandfather clock in the foyer. I usually have a seasonal scent in it.
I’ve definitely got taste covered. The one I am most conscious of is probably smell. I’m a little obsessed with always making sure my house smells good and clean.
I am such a big “smell” person! I immediately notice scent wherever I go!
I have NEVER considered “sound,” though! Thanks for the great post!
I think I pay most attention to smell. I lOVE candles and essential oils.
I need to pay more attention to touch! I don’t think much about it making my guests feel comfortable and welcome.
Wonderful post!
If I go somewhere it would be smell first, then touch. If someone comes to my house I would put site first, then smell followed by touch. Why does my house need to be perfect, but when I am somewhere else it is nice to see it looked lived in! I never thought about the sound levels, but that makes alot of sense. Thank you for sharing.
I pay most attention to sight because I want my house to look perfect and if it’s not, I’d rather not have people over. I don’t always think about sound. I do like to play soft music but I often wonder if my choice of music is their choice. Over the past few years I have tried to get over having displeasure with pop in guests since my college kids bring their friends by. I have had to learn that fellowship is more important than if I have a basket of clothes to fold sitting in the living room!
I am almost neurotic about making sure my house smells nice. Whenever company comes over I like to turn on my Scentsy burner for the ambiance & wonderful smells they have! Before I married I used to ban my parents from cooking fish when I had a date coming over. What a horrible first date smell! And no visit is complete without getting to share some laughs over tea, be it sweet or vanilla chai.
Probably smell – I have a very sensitive nose myself, so I always make sure a Scentsy is going in two or three rooms, and that the bathrooms have that “just cleaned” smell by spashing a little cleaner in the toilet and leaving it there after I’m done cleaning.
I pay the most attention to sight and smell. I love to bake and try to have something fresh out of the oven. I love your idea of having drinks out and ready so people are more likely to take you up on the offer.
I favor smell, I love walking into a home and being greated with a wonderful smelling candle or the anticipation of sharing some food.
I think taste is the most important for me. Providing a delicious meal is what I spend the most time on.
I am definitely a taste girl! I love to bake. I love cooking.
I liked your advice about putting drinks out to make your guests feel at home and comfortable. I am guilty of asking someone if they would like a drink. But I completely agree with your suggestion… If it is out with a glass waiting for them, they are more likely to enjoy the drink. Great Advice. Also, I usually time my meal to be finished at the exact time guests come over- which makes our introductions rushed. I liked the advice of timing it to be done 20 minutes after guests arrive. This would give us more time to show them how much we care that they came rather than rushing them to the table.
Smell is the one I always think about and the one that I am most drawn to also…. Don’t really think about the touch sense regularly.
I am a smell girl too and I loved learning that this is important to others (especially the wonderful expert). Thank you for sharing. I am excited to have friends over!
I always notice smells and try to always have a candle lit at home. It really makes a difference in the mood of my home.
I really had not paid attention to the sense of touch. I’m not a touchy feely person, so I rarely touch people outside of my family.
Sound! Sound makes me feel most welcomed, or most overlooked. If there is a tinkling windchime, water splashing in a fountain, soft music playing…I feel as though an environment embraces me. But if the sounds are grating (t.v. blaring), innapropriate music, industrial sounds…, then my spirit can’t relax into the experience.
Baking a cake makes the home smell like welcome.
Smell. With so much rain and snow the carpets won’t be cleaned for a while. Windows aren’t open. Add a cat…I don’t know if it smells and I’m used to it, or if everything is fine. I have a few cans of air sanitizer and pick the fragrance to suit my mood.
Thank you for the pointers! I usually pay most attention to sight and smell.
I have never given much thought to hearing or touch when having company. I’ll have to remember to dry to delight those senses next time I entertain! I’m not quite sure how I’ll attend to the sense of hearing yet, but I know next time I have visitors I will make it a point to physically walk to the door and welcome my guests rather than calling from the kitchen (where I’m normally scrambling to finish things) “Come on in!”
Hm, I need work on all 5 senses of hospitality, but definitely sound (as I am comfortable with no background noise all day, besides our little one), and the statement about having drinks available for self-serve is so true- we DO tend to just say “Oh I’m ok for now”, dont we?!