How to Host a Stress Free Soup Night

The days are shorter, the temps are cooler, and now is the perfect time to gather your friends and host a stress free soup night! Yes, it really can be stress free – promise.

If you’re anything like me, you love hanging with your girlfriends – but sometimes, in the busyness and craziness of every day life, we can go months without making time to sit – unhurried – and chat. To have those conversations that lift us up and brighten our spirits. The cold months can start to feel long and grey and dreary – and when they do, I say it’s time to call up your girls and invite them over.

But don’t worry. This is NOT one of those fancy schmancy dinner parties. Nope. I’m talking paper, plastic, and giant crocks of soup. And the best part is? If you’re hosting (and I hope you are) 😉 you don’t have to make any of the food – unless you really want to.

This is what my Coffee Girls and I did recently – and we try to do it a few times a year.

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This post is another installment of Fast Fix Fridays – where each week a couple of my best friends and I will share a quick, yet beautifully and deliciously uncomplicated project, tip, or recipe. Life’s crazy enough – let’s find Simple where we can, sweet friend.

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Stress Free Soup Night 101

Here’s how it goes:

1. Someone mentions that it “feels like we’re due for Soup Night” – and I offer to host.
2. We pick a night within the next week or two.
3. Two girls bring soups.
4. One girl brings salad and toppings.
5. One or two girls bring a dessert.
6. The end.

So. Stinking. Easy. And who doesn’t love an excuse to eat bread? *raises hand*

“But what about the table? That stresses me out!”

I have gorgeous china and crystal, yes, but for this? All any of us really wants is shared time together, gathered around a table, with no rush to be anywhere. It’s all about connection. And so….nine times out of ten, I reach for pretty throw away dishes.

Now don’t write me about how it’s bad for the environment, blah blah blah. (you know I love you) 😉 This night is all about zero stress – with all the focus on the beautiful faces around the table. Not worrying about the china you’ll have to hand wash after everyone leaves. So paper and plastic it is. Praise be.

Take thyself to Target, find some cute plates, napkins, and plastic silverware – and maybe some candles if you don’t have any at home. (Please tell me you have some at home.)

No stressing about the table – this last time, I literally put some greens down in between the candles that were already there (we light candles every night at dinner during the cold months because it takes the cozy factor up about one bazillion notches and even my boys love it). Then I set very simple settings at each seat.

Seriously.

Plate.

Napkin.

Plastic silverware.

And yes, I did use my Grandma’s crystal for our drinkware. Just because I can. Plus, I like the contrast of paper and crystal. It makes me smile.

Light the candles and call it good! That took all of 5 minutes to set the table. Now go pour yourself a hot cuppa, grab that book you’ve been reading, and go chill on the couch while you wait for your BFFs to arrive. Your stress free Girls Night In (AKA soup night) is about to begin.

More cozy goodness for you

Need some ideas for creating a warm and cozy home you love? Check out my post here or go here to see my simple idea for a coffee and hot cocoa bar you can set up anywhere.

And by all you means, you simply must go check out my girl Lisa’s post over here about three ways to use blanket scarves in your fall decor. I love her tips for how we can get even more mileage out of something so inexpensive and useful.