The Extra Mile Special Touches with Guest Cindy Sigler Dagnan
I am blown away by the fabulous ideas and interactions going on here in the comment thread each day. Keep it up!
Yesterday there were many ideas for pampering our husbands and such sweet encouragement from women who had lost their husbands as to how not to take ours for granted.
However, I must say that I had to laugh when my own dear husband contacted me asking me to enter my own giveaway. Seems he’d really like me to get a copy of Sheila’s book!
Now today, we talk little extra-mile touches that make your family and guests feel special.
Today’s guest is my creative friend Cindy Sigler Dagnan.
Cindy is a domestically impaired wife and mother of four. She is a writer and speaker who is a whiz at naming dust bunnies, but manages to incorporate enough little touches in her home that make all the difference.
Visit her on the web at www.cindydagnan.com or read her blog about spiritual legacies for your children at www.heritagebuilders.com
From Cindy’s heart (and brain! Such clever ideas she has!):
I’m possibly the farthest thing from a Martha Stewart out there. I am the only person in my home ec class who got extra credit for not wearing my garment to class!
That said, I love the idea of my home being a place of welcome to my family. A place of refreshment for my friends. A retreat, a respite.
A place where things that I can do, little touches that say “you’re special” are evident, but don’t stress me out.
~ Line pantry and cabinet shelf edges w/ lace; line drawers w/ scented paper
~ Throw a towel in the dryer and give cozy warmth to someone whose bath or shower is just finished; keep bath salts, fizzies & bubbles in stock
~ In your guest room, turn down covers, leave a mint or fresh flower; on the bedside table, place a pitcher of water, a cup and a few current magazines or a good inspirational book; lay a set of towels on the end of the bed along with a fresh bar of soap
~ In the bathroom, keep a small basket filled w/ extra toothbrushes, sample bottles of shampoo, lotion, conditioner, mouthwash, etc. for any guests who may have forgotten something
~ When you make hot cocoa, add whipped cream, marshmallows, miniature chocolate chips and drape a candy cane over the side.
~ Float a few strawberries in a pitcher of lemonade
~ Dip the rim of glassware in water, dip in sugar and freeze lightly before serving lemonade or tea
~ Cut a tiny cross hatch in a decorative cupcake liner and poke a straw through to keep bugs and debris out of drinks you serve outdoors
~ A bowl of fresh lemons & limes atop a stack of coffee table books is inexpensive & elegant
~ Freeze cranberries in your ice cubes to add to water for a visual, flavorful treat.
~ Purchase shaped ice cube trays (we like stars) for a fun change. Add a dot of red or blue food coloring for a Fourth of July treat
~ Have a “You are Special” plate (ours is red) to celebrate special occasions. Keep a special book near the plate or write on the back in permanent markers. Ours has celebrated everything from finishing chemo treatments (my daddy), to birthdays, to first days of school, honor rolls, engagements, & job changes.
~ Keep a guestbook by your front door.
~ Save your Christmas cards and draw out several each week to pray for on family night.
~ Adopt a national or local leader to pray for. Send them a card or packet of drawings from your children once a month.
~ Be thoughtful even when you’re on the receiving end of hospitality. Bring a small hostess gift {cookbook; small floral bouquet; scented candle; a card with a candy bar or potpourri tart attached with tape}
~ Put tea lights or a bowl with floating candles at each place along with a place card
~ Keep your high chair after your family has outgrown it so you’ll have it on hand for small guests.
~ Use a picnic or card table to decorate a special table for children.
It doesn’t take much. In this case, your mother was right: a little goes a long way! Happy hospitality!
Today’s giveaway:
For all of you? Cindy has crafted a freebie for you over at her place. See www.cindydagnan.com for handouts for table centerpiece ideas and other little touches for your home. (click on “handouts” in the top navigation bar of her site)
And, since part of this week deals with pampering our husbands (today is the last day for this topic) one of you will receive a copy of her book Hot Chocolate For Couples: Practical Ways to Sweeten Your Love Life.
To be entered to win the book, tell us a little extra touch you like to see or do when it comes to hospitality.
Remember, all winners will be announced the day after Easter and you may comment on all posts up until then to be entered in the random drawings.
NOTE: We are also interacting over at Karen Ehman’s Book Studies on Facebook.Click here to “like” the page & join us. Starting this weekend there will be giveaways there too based on info from the book!