I will be the first to admit, when I was a kid, setting the table for dinner was not my most favorite thing to do. Even when asked, I would begrudgingly say “yes”, as I walked over to the silverware drawer and began counting out forks. I did not see the point. I couldn’t understand why everyone else couldn’t just get their own silverware? Why did I have to do it?

What I didn’t realize then, I’ve come to treasure now ~

What I didn’t realize then, was that setting the table was so much more than just a mealtime chore, or a help to whoever was preparing the meal, but it was setting a place for others to come and sit at our table and know that they belong.

It’s meaningful to have a place set for us. It tells us we’re welcomed, invited, wanted. It gives us a sense of security, knowing we belong. When we take time to prepare a seat at the table, we tell our guests “You were thought of, your arrival was greatly anticipated, and you are important.”

The Gift of Gathering | by: Bre Doucette

Setting the table lets your guests know they were thought of, planned for, even when it’s just a weeknight meal shared with family. When we take the time to set the table, we are really setting the tone for a time to connect with one another and be intentional.

Now I look at setting the table as an opportunity to create a meaningful welcome to whoever sits there. Sure it’s just silverware, but placed ever so neatly on the table we not only invite our guests to come and sit, anticipation builds in our own hearts for the time we are about to spend together. And that is something I hold on to and treasure for sure!

**UPDATE – This Giveaway is now closed. Thank you to everyone who entered. **

If you’ve been following along since Monday, than you know right now we have a party going on to celebrate the release of my book – The Gift of Gathering! Sharing today is my sweet friend Melissa from the The Inspired Room. Melissa has been a long time inspiration to me for all things home and hospitality, and the gift that they are!!

Here is the schedule :

• Monday 9/30 – Bre @ Rooms FOR Rent blog
• Wednesday 10/2 – Traci @ Beneath My Heart
• Friday 10/4 – Melissa @ The Inspired Room
• Monday 10/7 – Lucy @ Craftberry Bush
• Thursday 10/10 – Karianne @ Thistlewood Farms

Giveaway Prize Includes!

• 4 piece setting of my favorite antique silverware from Anthropologie
• A marble cake stand
• TWO Weathered wood bread boards
• 4 blue goblets
• Set of 6 mercury glass votives
• 4 blue linen napkins
• Farmhouse pitcher
• 16 piece dinnerware set