Never Show Up Empty Handed

I am a week behind on this prompt, but since I already had started it in drafts, I’m going to go ahead and publish it now 🙂

This has been a very full and busy week. My Dad’s surgery was one week ago, and he is on the road to recovery, although it came with some bumps along the way. But this week has really driven home the importance of what I started to write here in this blog post about “just showing up”. So many have showed up for us this week, and it has been such an abundant blessing!

I’m joining up with some fellow bloggers to answer the prompt question…“Best Hostess Gifts”

Admittedly…I’m probably not the best person to answer this prompt. I don’t often get invited to events or homes, so I don’t use this muscle very often! I am not sure that it’s a big tradition much anymore to bring hostess gifts. Actually, I don’t think it’s as much of a tradition anymore to be invited to someone’s home in a formal manner. It seems that if we are invited to someone’s home, it’s much more casual. And if we are invited to a more formal event, it’s usually held at a venue and sometimes a hostess gift can seem misplaced at a time like that.

There is an adage to “never show up empty-handed”, which I do think is a good rule of thumb, especially as someone whose love language is gifts! It’s always sweet to think of someone and what might make them feel appreciated when visiting.

Here are some ideas I have of “hostess gifts”:

If it is summer time and we are invited to someone’s house or a party, I will often go and cut a bouquet of flowers to take with me.

If we are invited over for dinner, I will usually ask “what can I bring?”, and always appreciate when someone offers the same when I’m hosting!

I enjoy picking up a seasonal candy or candle at Aldi and will give those to teachers or friends.

Since I’m really not much of an expert on this topic, I wanted to take a chance to share a little encouragement with you when it comes to being there for people.

I think hostess gifts are so wonderful, and planned parties are great and so much fun- I’m a big fan!

But I’m also a big fan of just showing up.

Show up when someone is having a hard day.

Show up for the funeral, even if it’s really far away.

Show up for the Mom with the new baby.

Show up for the family with a deployed spouse.

Show up to cheer on your friend who is running her first 5k, or 10k, or half marathon or full marathon!

Show up for the kids sports events, even if there isn’t much skills or entertainment involved. Show up when there is skills and entertainment involved!

Show up when your friend has a birthday.

Show up when teacher have parent teacher conferences and are working super long days.

Show up to sit with the person going through chemo, even if they already have a consistent support system!

Show up for the graduation party.

Show up just to visit the man in your church who just had surgery.

Show up with a meal for the family who is all down with the flu, or the Mom or Dad who is single/solo parenting.

Show up just because…no official reason!

Show up by sending a text to remember the anniversary of a loss or difficult memory.

Honestly, I think it’s a cute idea to never show up empty handed. But! If that feels like too much….then by all means, just show up! Empty handed. I think a person’s presence is more valuable than making sure that they have the perfect hostess gift, ya know?

What is a way that you have showed up for someone, or that someone has showed up for you lately?

P.S. Did you see my new doula tab at the top of my blog? I am still working on it, but thought this would be a great landing place, especially for someone who is recommending my services and sending friends over my way.