Celebrations from the Soul

A Graceful Holiday Blog Series III

A Friend Retreat 

My refuge when I am weary is often spent with my girlfriends, we pray together, laugh, pray again and get through tough times together.  Have you ever shared a special time with your dear friends who are kindred spirits, where the busy world that encompasses your daily life -- stops for a moment? A time and space that is harmonious in nature and the energy source that flows is of God’s grace. A time where the comfort of your surroundings with cherished friends gives you the opportunity to rest your spirit and seek comfort in each other and a higher power in order to restore your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Over the years I have been fortunate to share special times with my dearest of friends, where we have gathered together with the expectation to relax and enjoy one another’s company and the outcomes are always gratifying and uplifting to say the least. In those spaces and places where we stepped into serenity, a place where many words are not spoken, but a lot is said through our fervent prayers. I believe these special times spent with friends are confirmations of God’s intention to provide angels on earth to help nurture our spirits as we walk in the bond of sisterhood. These special moments help us to rejuvenate ourselves so we can be at our best as we walk in our journey to fulfill all of the roles that we have been called to be as women.  Quite often during the holiday season, these roles are heightened.  Can I get an amen?  As we begin the holiday season, starting thinking about creating a Friendship Retreat to give a special treat to your friends so they can recharge themselves in the middle of the busy  season.

Activity Inspiration

How fun would it be in the middle of the holiday season, to be invited to a Friendship Retreat? During a friendship retreat, it is important to touch all of the five senses of hear, touch, smell, vision and taste.

First, you should send an invitation to your friends. In the invitation you want to outline not only the basic details of date, time and place but you want to tell the story of what the retreat will entail. 

The invitation needs to be visual in a sense that it shows calmness through colors, wording, etc. For this occasion, you can get an invitation that shows peace – a water stream, a sunset, or relaxing colors like olive or light blue. In addition, come up with a creative caption such as – “Joy, Peace, Love – The Real Holiday Spirit” or “Leave the Cares of the World Behind” to help engage your guests so that the excitement of having the opportunity to relax and spend time with friends starts as soon as they receive the invitation. With my friends we have so many obligations, so it takes a special invitation to get them moving so that everything can be in place so they literally can leave the cares of the world behind them.

Second, focus on creating the right ambiance in your home. You want to welcome your guests by creating a spa like atmosphere as soon as they arrive. Dim your lights and display on a table beautiful candles that will illuminate their pathway into your home. Adding a water fountain in that area will add another sensory effect. Also, display a unique container filled with comfortable slippers so your guests can put on as they start their journey to relaxation. In addition, appeal to their sense of hearing by softly playing a cd where you can hear old Christmas tunes by Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole in the background, with the gentle sounds of nature such as a waterfall.

Third, center the retreat in an area of your home that is most comfortable for lounging. Typically that would be your great room. In that room, display low arrangements (so you can have full eye contact with everyone in the room). Some suggestions are bamboo plants, orchids, rocks, etc. Of course, candles, candles, candles should be the main light source of your room. This will create a nice glow throughout the space. In addition, have a wicker basket full of plush blankets that your guests can cuddle up to. Other than that, keep it very simple because you do not want to over stimulate your guest with too much activity in décor, you want to keep it calm and simple.

Fourth, plan a simple menu that is refreshing and light that can be prepared ahead of time with little work the day of your retreat. During the holidays we are often bombarded with calorie heavy foods; make this day light with special treats. Remember, this retreat is for your well-being so consider hiring a caterer and a server to help on that day. This will ensure that your guests will have time to enjoy your company and you will have time to enjoy and relax.  

Fifth, bring in a masseuse, and manicurist and a facial person…this will leave your guests filling alive, pretty and leaping back into the holiday season with gratitude and joy!

Journal - A Graceful Holiday - Series III:

1.    Who will you invite to your retreat?

2.    Out of your circle of friends, what would they want as special treats (i.e. masseuse, guest speaker, etc.)?

3.    What is your idea of an ultimate friends retreat?

4.     What will it take to bring this retreat to life?