This Mother’s Day will look different than ones in the past, that’s a given. While we are not able to be together in person with family and loved ones, your family can still “gather” and enjoy celebrating the women in their lives that have made their family strong and beautiful. Virtual entertaining can help you bridge that gap.
Even if you aren’t having a virtual Mother’s Day celebration out of necessity, you still may want to host a virtual party or gathering (this stay-at-home order surely can’t last forever!) Some reasons to host a party and entertain virtually include:
- Gathering out of town relatives
- Trying something new to see how you can incorporate it into your entertaining repertoire
- Wanting to do something simply and/or plan it on your own with little assistance
- Having a small group that doesn’t necessarily need to gather in person
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy elegant and elaborate entertaining, but sometimes you just want to make it easy on yourself! Gathering virtually this Mother’s Day (or any time) can be accomplished in a few easy steps. Everyone will feel the love and be connected – to me, that is gracious entertaining.
Consider How to Gather
We live in an amazing time where we can be connected to anyone at the click of a mouse. You can teleport yourself into someone else’s dining room with Google, Alexa, Zoom, Facebook, Skype, FaceTime…the list goes on!
Personally, I enjoy using Zoom to host virtual gatherings with many people. Unlike certain platforms with limitations on who can use what device to join, you can have many people come in no matter how they’re calling in. Anyone with the link can you join, though do know that their calls are capped at 40 minutes for their free version.
No matter what platform you choose, send out the joining information early so your family members aren’t scrambling to find the link or your username right before you’re supposed to log on. And while it’s fine to be fashionably late in person, you may want to gently nudge your sister who’s always 15 minutes late and ask her to be prompt this once.
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Virtually Set the Mood
Create a playlist and send it to everyone to play during your Mother’s Day at-home brunch. Or, you can play music from your end and send the playlist to your family later to remember that time gathered. Then, when someone listens to this playlist, they’re reminded of your virtual entertaining and have fond memories of it! Take advantage of warmer weather and host your party outside which will make a beautiful backdrop for your virtual soiree’!
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Send Something to Enjoy Together
One of the silver linings of this stay-at-home order is that you don’t have to cook for many different tastes. If your cousin is the only one who likes a certain type of cookie and you always make it for her…well, you get a pass this year! Satisfy the palates of those home with you (and only those paletes. Make it easy!)
Then, consider sending everyone who will be gathering something to enjoy together, like a dessert. Milk Bar treats, anyone?
Naturally, many local eateries are open for takeout and delivery, so if you’re all local, please consider ordering from a local establishment and supporting your local economy. Many places have this information available on their websites. Just turn to Google and let her help you.
And, of course, many wineries will ship bottles. That would be a heavenly Mother’s Day for me – chocolate and wine! Does it get any better?
Use the Good China
Just because you’re sheltering at home doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a fantastic tablescape. I don’t know about you, but I feel better when I put on some lipstick and jewelry. Treat the table during this Mother’s Day gathering the same way! Dress it up with nice china, break out the fancy wine glasses, and savor the day. Life is too short not to enjoy the finer things.
And if it’s just a few of you using the good dishes (instead of an entire party), it’s easier to hand wash. Win-win!
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Entertaining virtually, especially Mother’s Day, is not what we had in mind right now. Doing the best with what you have is truly gracious living. We aren’t sure what tomorrow will hold, so instead of being reserved, enjoy life! If you can, spend time with those who matter most this Mother’s Day.
If you are serving our community and helping those who have been affected by this virus, we are sending you the biggest thanks and many wishes for your health and safety.
