Hosting guests should bring pleasure, not become another task on an overloaded to-do list. However, for many women, inviting friends or family can quickly turn into a large-scale event requiring a flawless home, impressive food, and perfect attention to every detail, which often leads to the host becoming exhausted by the time guests arrive.
The good news is that relaxed hosting does not require a perfect living space or a complicated menu. A little planning, using some simplifications, and being willing to let go of perfectionism can make the time much more enjoyable for both you and your guests.
Your guests are coming to spend time with you, not to inspect your house. It is enough to clean the rooms they will actually use, tidy up the bathroom, and provide comfortable seating; there is no need to do a deep clean of the entire house before every gathering.
The same goes for food. Choose dishes you are confident you can prepare without spending the whole day in the kitchen. There is nothing wrong with buying some ready-made products or asking guests to bring something along.
One of the simplest ways to reduce hosting stress is to complete tasks ahead of time. Set the table, prepare salads and desserts, chill drinks, and prepare serving dishes the night before. On the day itself, you will only have a small number of things to do, which will give you time to get dressed, eat, and truly enjoy the event before guests arrive.
A complicated menu is one of the quickest ways to turn a casual get-together into a stressful event. Choose one main dish and supplement it with light side dishes. Baked chicken, pasta, curry, or braai can feed many people without requiring the preparation of five different dishes. For small gatherings, a platter of appetizers including cheese, crackers, fruits, biltong, and other easy-to-serve snacks is also suitable, which relieves tension.
The goal is to feed the guests, not to prove how many hours you can spend in the kitchen.
If someone offers help, accept it. You don't have to give up the kitchen entirely, but there is no reason to reject every offer of assistance. Ask someone to put out glasses, bring snacks to the table, brew coffee, or help with the dishes. Hosting is not a one-person job, and accepting a little help can make the gathering more relaxed and informal.
You don't need to spend all day refilling drinks for every guest. Place drinks, glasses, ice, and a few garnishes in one easily accessible spot and let guests serve themselves. Keep water nearby. This small change will allow you to sit down instead of constantly walking around acting as a bartender. Create a simple bar area.
Didn't the dessert turn out as planned? Is there dirty dishes piling up in the kitchen? Did you forget to buy something? If it doesn't really matter, just let it go. Constantly pointing out mistakes only increases your focus on them and can create the impression that your guests should comfort you. Most of the things that worry you will barely be noticed by others.
Perhaps the biggest mistake hosts make is spending the entire event working. You don't need to clear every plate immediately after someone finishes eating, or wash every glass as soon as it hits the kitchen. Do the bare minimum, and then sit down. The dishes will wait. An important part of people being in your home is being present with them.
There is no single right way to entertain. A relaxed braai, a shared bowl of curry at the table, or afternoon coffee with cake can be just as memorable as a formal dinner. For women who often bear the burden of planning and practical work of gathering people, relieving some of this pressure matters. The best gatherings are rarely those where everything goes perfectly. They are the ones where everyone feels welcome, including the person who opened the front door.
On Friday morning, Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport (DXB) turned into a running track thanks to the participation of hundreds of UAE residents in the Dubai Mallathon initiative. Participant ages ranged from two to 78 years old.
The second edition of the Dubai Mallathon started on June 15 and has been extended until September 15. Unlike last year when the event lasted only one month, it is now taking place in six shopping centers across the city and is open to everyone without the need for prior registration. This was the first time the event was held at DXB airport, and additional sessions are planned at the airport.
Among those present were the UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, Abdullah bin Tuk Al Marri, as well as other high-ranking officials, government employees, people with special needs, elderly citizens, students, and the non-profit organization Team Angel Wolf, which advocates for inclusion in sports.
Faiza, 60 years old, reported that the run on Friday was one of many Mallathon sessions she has attended this summer. She is part of an elderly group at the Community Development Authority (CDA) that meets weekly for various activities. Many women from her group wore traditional golden battoulahs during warm-ups before starting to run past the intellectual gates and the baggage check area.
Faiza told Khaleej Times that they regularly meet at Dubai Hills Mall to participate in the Mallathon. She noted that their team includes participants aged 75 and 78, and they enjoy staying active together, considering it an excellent way to stay healthy.
For many participants, taking part in the Mallathon became an opportunity to strengthen family bonds. One of the youngest runners was two-year-old Rayansh, who walked next to his father, Louw Kumar. Dressed in bright sportswear and a cap, he held tightly to his father's hand while other participants ran past them. Louw said that Rayansh woke up at 6 am full of enthusiasm and enjoys joint activities, so he considered this initiative wonderful for both of them.
Along the running track, stations from Costa Coffee were set up, offering refreshing drinks to the runners. Many took the opportunity to grab a cold coffee or lemonade on their way to completing the distance.
Indian expatriate Stelbin, residing in Al Barsha South, covered over 30 kilometers to Terminal 3 with her son Aiden to take part in the event. Aiden shared that it was a fun event, and they ran about three laps of the track. He was happy to wake up early since it is summer vacation, and he can sleep longer on other days.
Members of the Senses residential home in Jumeirah brought ten of their students to the event. Marshal from the center for people with special needs, one of the first care institutions in the Middle East region serving orphans and abandoned children, noted that the morning was very enjoyable for the students. They enjoyed the physical activity and social interaction with other Mallathon participants.
The frog migration season has begun, and the endangered Western Leopard Frogs are once again undertaking their annual journey to wetlands for breeding.
These unique amphibians inhabit exclusively the Western Cape and are an important part of the region's natural heritage. Furthermore, they help control insect populations, including mosquitoes.
As explained by the Two Oceans Aquarium, many frogs have to cross busy roads during this annual migration.
Drivers are strongly advised to reduce speed and remain vigilant at night in areas such as Kirstenhof, Lakeside, Muizenberg, Tokai, Constantia, Zeekoevlei, Rondevlei, Grassy Park, and Noordhoek. Frogs can be difficult to spot, especially in low light, so reducing speed in known crossing spots can be crucial.
If a driver notices a Western Leopard Frog crossing the road and it is safe to stop, the Two Oceans Aquarium advises: 'Every frog that safely crosses the road is a small victory for this endangered species.'
Drivers can also help by being patient and carefully observing several frogs, as more individuals may be crossing nearby.
Volunteers are also needed to patrol roads at night and assist frogs during their migration. Interested individuals are asked to contact the Western Leopard Frog coordinators.
When heavy rain is falling outside and the weather is pleasant, enjoying a hot cup of tea is hard to beat. Especially during the rainy season, aromatic milk tea with ginger and cardamom is appreciated. However, homemade drinks often do not achieve the richness and aroma found in strong tea from street kiosks, sometimes turning out either bland or too bitter.
Perhaps the reason lies in the preparation method. For perfect milk tea, not only quality tea leaves and milk are important, but also the timing of adding the milk. If you are unsure whether to add milk at the beginning or after the water boils, here is a simple and correct way to prepare it.
During the autumn and winter period, instead of regular tea, you can use additions such as ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, or a little black pepper. Lightly grinding these spices allows their aroma and flavor to distribute evenly in the tea, significantly improving its taste.
To create the perfect tea, start by pouring the required amount of water into a pot and bringing it to a boil. Then add the crushed ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, or other spices of your choice. Let them simmer for some time so that the entire aroma of the spices is well released into the water. It is important not to overcook this stage for more than 2-3 minutes, otherwise, the tea may become bitter. If you are using sugar, you can add it at this stage, which will help form a good base flavor.
Next comes the most important step in making tea. After the water with spices has completely boiled, you need to add the milk. Thus, it is preferable to first boil the water with spices rather than adding milk at the very beginning. Even vendors at street stalls prefer to first boil the water with the tea infusion and ginger for a long time. This approach ensures better release of the aroma and flavor of the spices into the drink. After adding the milk, reduce the heat and let the tea steep for some time.
After adding the milk, add the tea leaves and brew the tea to your desired strength. If you like very strong tea, you can keep it warm for a little longer, but excessive boiling can make the taste astringent or bitter. For a strong ginger tea in rainy weather, it is best to first boil the ginger with the water, as this promotes better penetration of its aroma into the drink.
When the tea is ready, turn off the stove and do not strain it immediately; leave the lid closed for about a minute. This will allow the aroma and flavor to remain inside the drink. After that, strain the tea into cups and serve it hot. In rainy weather, it can be accompanied by cookies, buns, or crackers.
If you aim for your tea on a rainy day to be excellent in both taste and aroma, start the process with water and spices. After the spices have fully released their aroma into the water, add the milk, and then add the tea leaves and brew. It is also worth trying a small trick—letting the tea sit under the lid before straining it. This can turn even ordinary homemade tea into a favorite strong drink for the rainy season.
