The $100 Open Your Door Challenge (Are You Up to It?)
So, I have this friend. She’s no superhero, nor super-human, but she does brave and amazing things. This girl will cook a meal and actually invite people over to eat. At an actual dining room table.
And then there’s another friend of mine–she loves to throw parties and has been known to host her kids’ entire class, and make it fun, all while doing so on a small budget.
And yet another of my friends has been known to host five families at once, including all the kids, and lived to tell about it– several times!
These women inspire me. They’re brave, bold, and apparently fearless. What’s their super-power? A little thing called hospitality.
You can do this. You can be brave. And just to give you a little extrapush, I’moffering a giveaway of a $100 Visa gift card to one brave little hostess. Are you up to the challenge? All you have to do to enter is commit to inviting someone into your homewithin the next 2 weeks.
Yes! You can do it. Put to rest every excuse that just popped into your head and just say you will. Of course, I’mdepending on your honor to do what you say you will, but everyone that says they will accept the challenge by commenting here or on my Facebookpage will be entered!
And on Fridayevening, I’llannounce the random winneron the Facebook page and they’ll have $100 to use however they wish! Buy the food for your event, use it for decorations, or buy some new plates for your table–whatever! I’ll even give you tips to help youplan if you need them.
And as an added bonus, I’ve just chalked up a little inspiration for my own house. You can download the free printable here. And may this always be true of your own house!
So, I want to hear from you! Who will be braveenough to put all your fear and excuses aside and just let someone in? What you’re sure to find out is that the person you’re treating is actually yourself.
Ellen
September 22, 2015 @ 12:33 pm
Great idea! Challenge accepted!!
Linda Hehn
September 22, 2015 @ 12:44 pm
Fall is here … I accept your challenge!
Jennifer Wiser
September 22, 2015 @ 12:55 pm
I accept! I love it. Will you come over? I miss you desperately!
Mary Patterson
September 22, 2015 @ 1:02 pm
I am honored to accept your challenge and I will be happy to post pictures of my challenge event! I love that you are leaving this up to your readers to be creative!
Mary Patterson
September 22, 2015 @ 1:03 pm
I am honored to accept your challenge and I will be happy to post pictures of my challenge event! I love that you are leaving this up to your readers to be creative!
MQT
September 22, 2015 @ 1:32 pm
Looks like we will have a football party to watch the Pats play…..
Casey Ferri
September 22, 2015 @ 1:58 pm
Best giveaway ever! Challenge accepted – so fun!
Rachel
September 22, 2015 @ 3:07 pm
Challenge accepted. I am hosting dinner for 3 families with a combined total of 10 kids. Should be exciting and eventful!
Murraygirl
September 22, 2015 @ 3:09 pm
I'm in! Love the idea and the gift card ๐
Becky
September 22, 2015 @ 3:14 pm
Thank you so much for this Julie! We LOVE to have people over to our house and we do it a lot! As much as I love to plan everything down to the smallest detail, the spur of the moment parties are always just as much (if not more) fun! Hopefully I can share this with some friends so that they, too, will open up their homes…maybe I will even get an invitation! Challenge accepted.
Kara Cabage
September 22, 2015 @ 3:41 pm
I'm in! Hospitality is something the Lord has recently burdened my heart about, so this couldn't have come at a better time ๐
Kara Cabage
September 22, 2015 @ 3:45 pm
I'm in! Hospitality is something the Lord has recently burdened my heart about, so this couldn't have come at a better time ๐
Sarah Will-Ham
September 22, 2015 @ 4:00 pm
I love this! I read recently to stop apologizing for any messes that might be there, because your guests aren't there for home inspection. They want to visit you and your family, and moving a laundry hamper off the couch in order to fellowship over a cup of coffee will go much farther than a home perfectly put together. Oh, yes, and I promise to open my home to others!!
Lynette Van
September 22, 2015 @ 4:02 pm
Thanks for the push…I accept the challenge. ๐
Heather @ Southern State of Mind
September 22, 2015 @ 4:02 pm
Such an inspiration! I just spent the weekend in an amazing house and came home feeling inadequate. Thanks for reminding me it's not the size of the house that matters
David and Dee Dee Sterling
September 22, 2015 @ 4:07 pm
Challenge accepted! Seahawks 12th Man (12th birthday) party coming up soon!
Noelle Myers
September 22, 2015 @ 4:18 pm
Challenge Accepted.
jrsreagan
September 22, 2015 @ 4:40 pm
Challenge accepted to our 900 sq feet!
Brettnay Brazzell
September 22, 2015 @ 6:10 pm
Challenge accepted!
Brettnay Brazzell
September 22, 2015 @ 6:10 pm
Challenge accepted!
Stephanie Fowler
September 22, 2015 @ 6:28 pm
I'm accepting the challenge! I stepped out of my comfort zone and had about 25 people over last weekend. I'm not a natural at hospitality so I appreciate this encouragement!
Photography by Michelle
September 22, 2015 @ 7:15 pm
I'm in!
-Michelle(not sure why my google acct says Photography by Michelle)
Natalie
September 22, 2015 @ 7:24 pm
I accept!
Julie Rose
September 22, 2015 @ 8:41 pm
Yes- I accept the challenge! So excited for this! I am having a family over for dinner and then a bonfire outside if the weather permits. They have recently left out church but we want to continue our friendship with them. Great idea for this challenge-I love it!
Unknown
September 22, 2015 @ 8:58 pm
OK! I will try! No excuses and I will not be sidelined! Thanks for the challenge! I needed it!
jamie
September 22, 2015 @ 9:49 pm
Yes! This gives me just the push I was needing to host the backyard bonfire I've been planning in my head for months. Now, come on cool nights, fall foliage, and enough friends to make it memorable!
Jennifer Bell
September 23, 2015 @ 9:36 am
Great idea!!! That's what I'll do. . .
Michelle
September 22, 2015 @ 10:52 pm
Awesome idea! Thank you! I will offer to host a couple of mommas and their littles for a playdate:) Thanks so much for the push:)
Michelle
September 22, 2015 @ 10:52 pm
Awesome idea! Thank you! I will offer to host a couple of mommas and their littles for a playdate:) Thanks so much for the push:)
carol
September 23, 2015 @ 2:57 am
This will be really hard for me!. New home. Not unpacked yet. I accept the challenge!
carol
September 23, 2015 @ 2:58 am
This will be really hard for me!. New home. Not unpacked yet. I accept the challenge!
Jennifer Bell
September 23, 2015 @ 9:34 am
We just moved to a new town too. The week I began school (I'm a teacher with four children, husband, and dog) we moved into our house. . .my inlaws babysat the packers in our old town and my husband had to take the day off the day they unloaded. A week later we found out that another family that we slightly knew was also moving into our town — we invited them for dinner even though half the house was still packed. It was a wonderful evening! Last weekend friends from our old town were in town for a soccer game — I invited them over after the game (I didn't have a thing to offer them!) but they declined. Later she texted me about why they couldn't make it. . .I said, "oh, my house isn't company-ready, but it's always open to friends!". With school full-time, 4 kids in sports activities, church, etc. our house is STILL 1/4 packed — and will be for awhile!! That's o.k. though. . .I ask forgiveness once from those who come over and move on. I'd rather spend my time with THEM than unpacking anyway ๐
HS
September 23, 2015 @ 3:09 am
Great idea! I would love to accept the challenge.
Jennifer Bell
September 23, 2015 @ 9:29 am
Challenge accepted!
Hannah Smith
September 23, 2015 @ 10:44 am
Challenge accepted! As a newly married wife, I needed this encouragement to get out of my comfort zone! Thank you! ๐
Jennifer Lovett
September 23, 2015 @ 12:53 pm
Great idea! Challenge accepted!
Dorene Blauvelt
September 23, 2015 @ 1:10 pm
Challenge accepted and I love the printable. Thank you for the reminder that it is about spending time with those you love and not about having the perfect home.
Tanya
September 23, 2015 @ 1:22 pm
I'd love to join this challenge! We are planning a family get together at our house soon, and I usually mildly dread these events because of the work involved. Your article us a great reminder to be more hospitable than worried!
Liz
September 23, 2015 @ 3:22 pm
What a great reminder for us to open up not only our homes but our hearts to others too!! Family here on Friday for Family Night together! Much love and blessings to you from Oklahoma! :o)
Marlene B.
September 23, 2015 @ 5:38 pm
This is definitely something I need to work on, and I use all the excuses you listed, plus some.
kelsey rae
September 23, 2015 @ 9:25 pm
Challenge accepted and planned! And you feel free to pop over any time on your way to or from Jeff City! ๐
Christa D
September 24, 2015 @ 12:52 am
This could be the motivation that I need to put out the fall decor and do some baking. I'm in!
My Kentucky Living
September 24, 2015 @ 2:48 am
I am giving this a big go! I love to have folks in the fall of the year. Spiced cider and cookies, cake, or pie. I can do this! Sheila
Angela Jennings
September 25, 2015 @ 12:12 am
I will happily accept the challenge, I love having friends over! ๐
Sandra Lankford
September 25, 2015 @ 11:22 am
If it's not to late I accept. It's something I wanted to do anyway.
Amy
September 25, 2015 @ 9:02 pm
I'm in!
http://purposefulconfusion.com/
October 9, 2015 @ 5:52 am
I am an open door challenge failure. http://purposefulconfusion.com/2015/10/09/open-your-door-challenge-failure/