Would You Try Everyday Parties?
July 2, 2012 in Minimalist Tips
Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Are you struggling to live a minimalist life? Struggling to live in the present? Always waiting for the ‘next’ thing to be accomplished? to arrive? or to ruin your life? We only live now. We can’t live in the past or in the future, so why do we spend so much time thinking, planning, and worrying about it?
I struggle. My memory is poor so the past isn’t a problem. Instead I struggle with living in the future. Goals and anticipation are good, they give us direction and a reason to keep going, but they are still not reality. I want my main focus to be reality — the present.
So why not give some attention to the present? Get it noticed!
A few weeks ago we decided to have a fancy supper. We pulled out the china, lit some candles, ironed the cloth napkins, and turned off the lights. The meal was only homemade pizza, but it was served with fancy sparkling juice 
The kids had a blast!
I have another confession to make (making my confession list longer ). As I did the dishes I realized there was still price tag stickers on most of the pieces. Our wedding china from (just shy of) 10 years ago. These are pretty hardy stickers because we have used our china several times, but obviously not that much in the last 10 years. This wouldn’t be as eye opening except for the fact that when we got it at our wedding we wanted to be the family who used it instead of just setting it in a cupboard. …this is why we still own it even though we got rid of almost everything else.
But the truth is in the stickers.
We decided to, as often as possible, make this ‘Friday Supper Party’ a tradition. It isn’t about the formality or making things fancy just because, it is about celebrating the present and having fun as a family.
Kids are so great at this idea. It takes very little to turn something into a special occasion or a surprise and they eat it up. Sometimes they create it all on their own. My son especially is always turning any new thing into a gift or reason to celebrate. A few days ago we found a lost pad of finger-painting paper behind the dryer and he decided it was his ‘first night present’ for sleeping in a new bed. He was all excited.
Want to try it with us? Want to set a celebration tradition in your life or home?
For different people it could look different. Maybe fancy meals with china place settings isn’t your thing, but there is something that would be a special and fun way to treat yourself.
Feel free to get carried away with it too. Set several traditions or habits in place so you can bring attention to the present. Date night (my personal favorite, every Wednesday night), or a meal with friends. Even remembering to buy something special like fresh flowers or fancy chocolate once a week. 3 or 4 days a week could be different kinds of ‘parties’.
You spend so much time planning your future. Take some of that time back and use it to plan and celebrate your present. (tweet this)
Can you do something now?
I am all about simple living and not giving you more things to do, but would you take a minute to find a way to celebrate today? I say whip out the china and make a fancy dinner party, but if you don’t have time for that, what else are you going to do?
How are you going to celebrate today? (if you are reading RSS join us in the comments)
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i’m 38.5 weeks along, so we’re not going anywhere. HOWEVER, i refuse to let the summer go by without fanfare!! so, we’ve pitched the tent & have been camping out in the yard the last 3 nights, along with some listening to audio books & watching movies in the tent before bedtime. anything outside is a treat for my kids (& us!)
so fun, we need to get out camping again soon! Good luck with the baby! Both mine came at 39 weeks
Hello!
I love this article,its great hearing different ways families come together and sad to think of how many just don’t take the time anymore. This was one of my core reasons for working towards a more Minimalist / Simple kind of life. To stay at home with my daughter I chose to supplement some of the lost income with doing daycare for our neighbor’s 1yr old. Its pretty much just 4 days/week so on Friday’s, my daughter and I like to take small roadtrips to find different parks to play or hike at. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find a small lake as we always have our fishing poles in the car. This week the drive was about 1.5hrs and we were spending the day in Medora, ND. Huge playground with Western style play equipment and a packed picnic style lunch, last week it rained on our day out so we ended up at the Glendive Dinasauer Museum. We don’t really plan, just pack a lunch and go…
Thank you for all your posts, I enjoy reading your blog, its usually the first thing I pull up in the morning with my coffee before everyone else is up… Here’s to a beautiful week!
Kim, those memories are going to be so awesome! I still remember when my mom got me up early one morning and we took a road trip to Niagara Falls. The last minute exploring is so fun as a family
Growing up my mom had a huge built-in hutch filled with crystal and china that she hardly ever used. She gave me some of the pieces and they are chipped and worn now… a few have even been broken beyond repair… but they are used. I swore I would not own anything I didn’t actually use… so why not fine china tonight!
yay! We have been doing it for just over a month now and couldn’t last Friday evening, the kids really missed it and want to know how soon we will do it again
How fun! And what a great idea. I recently got rid of all my dishes except for the “good” set (not china, just nicer than my old TJMaxx mismatched set!), so we use them every night. The fun feel has gone out of using them at this point.
I like that you’re doing it on a weekly basis. I think having a set day is great, because it means it actually happens. I’m going to think about what I can do that’s similar!
Yes, I don’t like always being scheduled but I wouldn’t get around to it otherwise
Years ago in MT, I would buy a bouquet of flowers from a florist once a week. We soon learned to forgo the baby’s breath; it was the only thing my then 3 cats bothered! As the week went along, I would trim dying flowers, putting the left-overs in smaller vases around my home. I loved this – and think I will start again. Thank you – enjoy that china NOW.
Yes, I have been trying to get a single flower from the florist every few weeks. I haven’t been near as regular with it but I love the way it brings life to the room.
I started doing this myself but, trying to find flowers on the roadside and in my yard so it doesn’t cost me $ that I don’t have and I don’t have to leave my street (always a bonus for me haha). SO nice to have fresh flowers on the table and it’s my everpresent reminder not to leave clutter there instead.
that is a great idea!
Thanks for the reminder Lorilee! I used to treat myself special but stopped. Like buying some Godiva chocolates (dark is my fav) & putting them on a pretty tray or lighting scented candles, and using cloth napkins instead of paper. I don’t know why I stopped… will be adding this to my weekly schedule – love it!
dark is my favorite too
When my husband and I got married, our priest had several things he wanted us to do. Every month on the 27th (which was our anniversary date) I was to cook a nice meal and my husband was to buy me a rose. We kept that up for nearly 5 years! But I don’t like to cook, so I suggested he cook and I buy a 6-pack – but that didn’t catch on! I’ve always like the idea of using the ‘good’ dishes every day! It is hard to remember to celebrate the present – this is a good reminder.
haha, I like it
Oh, that is soooo romantic! Will be doing this…thanks for the idea!
you are totally welcome
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