“If the home is a body, the table is the heart, the beating center, the sustainer of life and health.”
― Shauna Niequist
If you're anything like us when you plan a gathering, it's easy to feel overwhelmed when you're responsible for the entire process of menu creation, food prep, and decor — not to mention being on your hosting a-game while serving, entertaining, and cleaning up when it's all said and done. We always feel badass when we accomplish this on our own, but damned if it doesn't leave us exhausted at the end of the day.
But, it truly is rewarding work. Some of the best moments in life are experienced around the table. There's nothing like good company coming together to talk, drink, and eat to the heart's content. To us, the table is a sacred space. It is, and always has been "the beating center" of our lives. It's a symbol that has always stood for health, hospitality, family, and community.
Given the amount of work it takes to host a gathering, many of us save the table for special occasions, and we think it's high time that it becomes more of a central place in daily life. It doesn't have to be extravagant or something that breaks the internet when your photos surface on Pinterest (although we love this table setting photo shoot published by Style Me Pretty). It doesn't have to be complicated.
It's always the natural, organic experiences that breed the most beautiful results. The table is no exception. When we consider that it's merely a tool to gather and break bread together (and in our case — drink a lot of good whiskey), we allow the simple act to become something incredibly wonderful all on its own.
To make the table a more common occurrence, we suggest simplifying the rules of hosting by splitting up the tasks with your guests. If you're gathering at your place, let someone else provide the menu items. Have someone bring food, and another provide drinks. Having each guest participate means you all can relax and relish each other's company, savoring moments like raising a glass to each other — which in the end, is always our favorite part.