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147. Why I Love Hosting

Posted on October 27, 2021October 27, 2021 by caritagardiner
image of "you're invited" on glitter background

You can buy the glittery invitation I took a screenshot of at iStock.com. Of course, I chose it for its glitter.

As an introvert and someone who's incredibly lucky to live where there's plenty of outdoor space, I didn't suffer through the "safer at home" and "really, stay home" phases of the pandemic as many people did. I love to hole up with a good book and to spend time with my family (though I missed dearly the members of my family who don't and who don't always live in my house). I didn't cherish every minute of teaching classes on Zoom, but I felt grateful to keep my job and enjoyed being able to Zoom with people who don't live in my area and with people most at risk for severe illness from COVID.

That said, one thing I do miss about pre-pan days is the ability to invite big groups of people to our house. We used to have a New Year's Eve party every year (though its start and stop times crept earlier and earlier -- our next one might be a brunch). Each late-August, we used to have a school's-about-to-start-let's-meet-the-new-teachers picnic. When I was in grad school, we'd host weekly potluck dinners, getting professors and students together over food and beverages.

If you've spoken with me in person for more than three minutes, you probably know how much I live to eat (and eat to live, but that's a different need). I've always been a fan of the potluck because I get to try everyone's favorite/best dish. But hosting parties offers more joy than whatever I consume/taste. I also love the following:

  • bringing people who might not know each other together to find common ground;
  • sharing stories among old and new friends;
  • spending time without an agenda;
  • marking special holidays;
  • celebrating successes and milestones;
  • laughing in good company; and
  • experiencing the unexpected that occurs when people mingle.

When it feels safe to do so, I will start hosting again. Please consider yourself invited. In the meanwhile, you can share a story about your favorite party and/or favorite thing about parties in the comments below.

6 thoughts on “147. Why I Love Hosting”

  1. Jack Kagan says:
    October 27, 2021 at 3:02 pm

    Looking forward to it!!!

    Reply
    1. caritagardiner says:
      October 27, 2021 at 3:13 pm

      We’re only a train-ride away!

      Reply
  2. Brenda says:
    October 29, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    What I’ve always enjoyed about hosting parties is, seeing people I know from all different places meeting each other and connecting. Before I was married, I bought and fixed up an old house and once it was finished, I began hosting an annual Christmas party. I told friends they could bring friends—the more, the merrier! One year, a friend called to say she couldn’t make it to the party after all, but the friends she was going to bring were wondering if they could still attend and of course I said they would be welcomed. Long story short, we are still friends and I am the godparent for one of their children!

    Reply
    1. caritagardiner says:
      October 29, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      I love this story — what fun and adventurous people to show up even when they didn’t know anyone. I might have to steal that line. When people ask what to bring, my new answer could be “FRIENDS!”

      Reply
  3. Richard says:
    November 1, 2021 at 11:32 am

    Thanks for this elucidating essay.

    Despite Shakespeare’s assertion “There’s beggary in the love that can be reckon’d” and even though I have loved you all your life, the more I get to know you, the more I love you.
    ❤️
    Richard

    Reply
    1. caritagardiner says:
      November 1, 2021 at 12:30 pm

      Awe, shucks. Thanks, and right back atcha!
      Love, c

      Reply

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WHAT I DO

I teach English to high schoolers at a boarding school in Connecticut. I read AP English Literature and Composition exams and serve as a teacher mentor for the University of Pennsylvania Teaching Fellows program. I’ve earned a Bachelor of Arts (Amherst College), an Education Master in Learning and Teaching (Harvard University Graduate School of Education), a Master of Arts in English (Bread Loaf School of English), and most recently a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing with a certificate in the online teaching of writing (Southern New Hampshire University).

As a writer, I hope to capture the complexity and joy of life in the New England boarding school world. On this site, I share what I know about trying to write fiction while teaching English, coaching, and doing the other tasks associated with helping to raise over six hundred other people’s children.

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