Gather Your Girlfriends!

July 31, 2024

As if I need an excuse to get together with my friends, August 1^st is National Girlfriend’s Day. I really value my girlfriends and we try to connect pretty often. We’re good about celebrating each other’s special gifts, important events and are supportive during challenging times. My hubby says he feels the same about his guy friends.

I have a few really close female friends. I can tell them anything. My own personal girl-squad. They’re the ones I talk to all the time, vent about something silly or serious, ask their advice and laugh/cry about life. Plus, they tell me the hard truth! I, also, have lots of other friends that I really value. I have groups of friends like moms of my kids’ friends, wives of my husband’s high school buddies, the women I work with, my college girlfriends and so on. As much as I value and rely on my closest friends, I have realized all my other female friends are really important to me too. I want to make more time to get together with them outside of work, school, sports sidelines etc…

Studies confirm that family and friend relationships are important to overall health and happiness. As we age, our friendships become even more important. Plus, studies show the act of socializing with our girlfriends improves our health and happiness. Children who develop relationships and friendships tend to be happier adults. And our children learn by example. My daughters are growing up watching me spend time with my female friends just as I encourage them to develop lasting relationships with other girls. Teaching them to value honest, loyal, non-judgmental, open and supportive girls gives me great joy.

Additionally, studies show sharing a meal with friends helps people feel better about themselves, plus they tend to develop wider social and emotional support networks. This isn’t surprising data. Connecting in person and sharing a meal increases endorphins, almost as much as sex and exercise! Eating often with others helps us feel more connected and at ease in our personal relationships, and for women, feel more nurtured. Those who eat socially find it easier to trust others and engage in their community. The bonds of friendship are definitely worth celebrating!

Eating together with friends doesn’t mean spending a lot of money. In fact, simple is better, with less stress. The more often I entertain, the more comfortable I’ve become and the more likely I am to invite “the girls” for dinner.

Make It Easy

Don’t Sweat The Dirt: Sure, I’ve noticed a cobweb or two at someone else’s house, but I didn’t judge them for it. In fact, I felt more relaxed that they won’t judge me by the inevitable cobwebs in my old house! No one came to my home to judge how spic and span the house is; they came for the company, a meal and lots of laughs. The more I realized no one is worried that the dog left a dirty paw print on the rug, the more likely I was to invite friends over.

Be Ready: Setting the table shouldn’t be a big deal. I finally got smart about having the right “stuff” on hand to entertain. I don’t need to use fancy plates every time. I keep napkins ready to go. My daughter taught me that using a napkin ring meant I didn’t have to spend extra time ironing napkins perfectly. (She’s smarter than me!) For summer/outside entertaining, I keep everything ready to go on a tray. I have melamine plates, fun dishwasher safe flatware, plastic glasses, salt and pepper shakers and napkins. All of this goes in the wash or dishwasher. Easy peasy. The one thing I do like to do is add a centerpiece. It only takes a single bloom or even a vase of greens to make the table look fancy and pretty.

Choose Easy Recipes: NO ONE and I mean NO ONE has ever said you have to serve hard-to-make recipes. I like to make tried and true recipes that I know are delicious. This reduces my stress immensely. Burgers and hotdogs on the grill are as equally appreciated as anything else I have ever served! If you make great lasagna, make extra and keep it in the freezer for impromptu parties. Find one of your “Favorites“ in your DinnerTime Recipe Box so you know it’ll be a winner! I find joy in preparing food. I make it with love and sharing it with my friends is a bonus.

Host A Pot-Luck Meal: I can tell you from experience, no one cares if it’s a perfectly balanced meal. It’s more about the company. If you are like me, let go of your over-controlling instincts by planning the main dish and asking others to bring something they want to make. Many times I have left a party with a new recipe from a dish I had never tried before.

Don’t Break The Bank: If you think entertaining has to be expensive, give yourself a shake! My go-to summer dinner party menu is this Italian Herb-Marinated Chicken, Herbed Red Potato Salad and whatever is in my garden, like green beans for a Green Bean and Cherry Tomato Salad or sliced tomatoes for Marinated Mozzarella Tomatoes. Simple, economical and tasty! Almost always, my guests offer to bring something and I usually ask for dessert or an appetizer.