Cantankerous Over Holiday Company? Relax

I had an epiphany a dozen years ago. Expecting friends for dinner one evening, I was flying around the house, cleaning and picking up after everyone. By 4 o'clock, I was tired and grouchy, with every muscle hurting. I still needed to cook the dinner, bathe, and dress, not to mention set the table. 

Completely cantankerous, I was in no way ready for company. Oh, my house was ... but I wasn't. Not by any stretch of the imagination. I was ready for bed -- and that's when it hit me. 

I want to look in her eyes and see the warmth of welcome. I want to delight in cozy conversation.

Whenever I go to a friend's home for a dinner or just a simple visit, I don't look for behind the doors to see if there are stray socks lying around. I don't peek under tables to see if there are any dust bunnies, hiding behind the legs. I don't run my fingers over her countertops in the kitchen to check for crumbs or sticky spots. 

No, when I visit a friend, I want to look in her eyes and see the warmth of welcome. I want to delight in cozy conversation. I want to know my visit has brought my friend joy. I don't want to feel that I've caused her extra work. 

And that's when I realized I had to quit obsessing. I believe my friends come to visit me—not inspect my house. If they are, then they're still welcome. I just calmly explain that dust bunnies are an endangered species, and I'm doing my best to give them a habitat where they can propagate freely. 

This holiday season, how are you greeting your guests?