Last week while I was waiting for an appointment, I flipped open my newest issue of Food & Wine magazine.
You know how sometimes you casually turn a page and something stops you?
That happened.
Inside was a two-page ad created in partnership with Glad titled:
“Entertaining Through the Eras: A Look Into Hosting at Home, Past and Present.”
And my immediate reaction was:
“YES!”
Let’s keep spreading the word wherever we can about the joy and importance of entertaining at home.
🍽️ Hosting Through the Years
What I loved most about the ad was how it captured something I’ve believed for a long time — entertaining has always reflected the spirit of its time.
According to the ad:
• Homemakers in the 1950s hosted to celebrate prosperity and family life.
• Socialites in the 1980s threw glamorous parties during the economic boom.
• Today, we gather to connect rather than impress.
And that last one?
That’s the song I’ve been singing for years.
✨ Then vs. Now
The spread was absolutely charming. It compared entertaining across decades, touching on everything from:
- Invitations
- Menu planning
- Table décor
- And yes… even cleanup
Each section showed how things were done “then” and how we approach them now.
Different styles. Different priorities.
But the same underlying idea.
🕯️ What Never Changes
Trends come and go.
Table settings evolve.
Menus change.
Hosting styles shift.
But one thing remains timeless:
Gathering around a table with people you care about.
That’s what makes entertaining meaningful.
Not perfection.
Not impressing anyone.
Not doing everything exactly right.
Just opening your door and welcoming people in.
🥂 A Good Reminder
Seeing that ad felt like a quiet little reminder that what we’re doing here — talking about dinner parties, sharing recipes, encouraging connection — is something that never really goes out of style.
And I love that.
Here’s to tables that bring people together, no matter the decade
Cheers,
Colleen 🥂
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