Invitation Project
As you know, I love hosting people in our home for all kinds of reasons.
How many scandals have been shared, successes celebrated and upsets grieved over a cup of tea (or hot chocolate?)
However, I need to remind myself that not every catch up with a friend needs to involve a theme and a coordinating centrepiece.
Some of my more recent get-togethers have seen me perusing op shops with a cherished friend, and eating home-made pizza from plates balanced on our knees while life, the universe and everything else was debated with other friends.
Sometimes all you need are chips and a dip to make an enjoyable evening.
This got me thinking about other ways I can connect with people and strengthen existing friendships. The older I get, the more I realise that community rarely arrives by accident. More often, it grows from small invitations extended over time.
The idea is to issue 30 invitations; some invitations will be accepted, others will not be; and that is ok. I am going to spread this out over a couple of months and see what happens.
I am writing the below ideas onto slips of paper, and putting them into Rabbit Stew. These ideas are a mixture of quick connections; sharing a workday lunch; everyday living; running errands together (Costco run anyone?) and gathering around the table.
Every few days I will draw out one invitation idea from Stew, and issue it. Let’s see what happens.
My first invitation challenge - accepted. I am off to the movies tomorrow night.
Invite someone for a cup of tea.
Text a friend I haven't spoken to in a while and suggest a catch-up.
Invite someone to join me for a walk.
Ask a colleague to join me for coffee.
Invite family to Sunday lunch.
Ask a colleague if they'd like to share a lunch break.
Invite someone to visit my garden, no matter its current state.
Organise a simple afternoon tea.
Invite a friend to browse an op shop with me.
Suggest a picnic in a local park.
Invite someone to help me taste-test a new recipe.
Ask a friend to join me browsing Fullarton Market.
Invite someone to bring a book and spend an hour reading together.
Host soup and bread.
Invite someone to teach me something they know.
Ask a friend to accompany me on an errand.
Invite a family member for dessert.
Suggest a movie night.
Invite someone to a "bring whatever is in the fridge" dinner.
Ask someone if they'd like to join me for breakfast.
Invite a friend to visit a local gallery, museum or historic site.
Host cake and conversation.
Invite someone to share leftovers.
Ask a friend to come over while I potter in the garden.
Invite someone for pizza night.
Suggest a board game or card game evening.
Invite someone to bring their favourite snack and stay for an hour.
Host a "bring a story" gathering where everyone shares a memory.
Reach out to someone who may be feeling lonely.
Plan one gathering for next month and send the invitations today.
A Final Thought
Not every invitation will be accepted.
That is not failure.
The purpose of this challenge is not to fill my calendar, instead it is to create opportunities for connection, to strengthen relationships, and remind myself that hospitality is an act of generosity, not performance.
Thirty invitations.
Thirty opportunities.
A chance to stop waiting for community to happen and start creating it.
Who knows what might grow from them? As for me, I'm off to fill my bunny shaped soup tureen with invitation ideas and see where they lead.
What about you? How do you build community in your own corner of the world?
