Easy ideas to host a luncheon: On bringing meaning back

Today, Book Fair Co-Chair JA and I hosted a luncheon for the teachers at Daughters' school.  The point of the luncheon was to give teachers a chance to view the books of the fair, grab a quick and simple bite to eat, and then be able to make it back to class on time.  For the past several years, the teachers have been served pizza and soda and that was their luncheon.  As I took over the book fair this year, I wanted to do something nicer, healthier, but still keeping in mind that I had to work, be a mommy and wife, and set up the book fair.  With co-chair's JA's approval, I decided to make a few simple things and cater some sandwiches to the luncheon.

I kept things VERY simple, although I admit, I toyed with making things very complicated.  (I wanted to cook  everything.)

Teachers' Luncheon Menu
Sandwiches (ordered from Costco)
Spinach Dip
Everything cookies
Clementines
Various sodas and water

I could have easily bought a bag of chips and a tray of cookies and Costco when I bought the sandwiches, and I don't think that the teachers would have really noticed.  They would have been happy and would have enjoyed their food.  However, making the spinach dip and and the cookies - it added meaning.  The teachers could tell that the dip and the cookies weren't just bought, and suddenly the atmosphere was different.  Someone cared, took time, and put forth the effort to do a little bit extra for them, and it made them extra appreciative.  I got many compliments on the cookies and the dip, and even got to pass out a few blog cards.

The food you cook for your family at home - although it may not always be appreciated, it does have meaning.  It may not be meaningful to your family and may be completely under appreciated while the kids are young, but later, they will remember what you put forth from your hands for them.  When they are off in college, eating frozen dinners and a variety of random purchased foods, they will remember the food that their mother and father cooked for them and it will have meaning then.   And when they come home from where ever they've been and eat your food again, it will have meaning.

Until that day arrives, however, don't give up trying and keep on putting those meaningful meals on the table!