One way to ensure you and your nearest and dearest can retain a strong connection is to set aside time each day to spend time together. And the best — and most obvious — way to do that is by having a great dinner each evening. In this post, we’ll run through some handy tips for improving your nightly dinners, ensuring that you and your tribe get as much from the evening as possible.
Set a Consistent Time
As we said above, life can be pretty full on. You’ll have a lot of things on your plate, and crucially, so will the other people in your household. One way to increase the chances that everyone will be present at dinner is to set a consistent time. If everyone knows that dinner takes place at 6 pm every single night, then they’ll know that they should reject plans that take place at that time. A set time just makes sure that those great dinners are simply part of the routine.
Improve Your Kitchen
There’ll be occasions when you’re happy to order takeout food. But by and large, you’ll be preparing your meals at home. You’ll be much more likely to do that if you have a kitchen space that you genuinely enjoy being in. Plus, a kitchen can also be a space where people get together and socialize; it’s so much more fun preparing meals when everyone’s around! You’ll likely already know the improvements you can make to your kitchen that will make the space more enjoyable. Don’t have the time, effort, or money to undertake a full kitchen renovation? Look at changing the lighting and decluttering the space — those two things alone can make a huge difference.
Put Together a Good Dining Space
There’s no point working to create a great meal if you’re only then going to eat the meal on the couch, in front of the television. Putting together a good dining space is essential for getting the most from your evening meals. A ceramic dining room table, comfortable chairs, and inviting lighting can all help create a restaurant-worthy space that encourages conversation to flow. If possible, dine in a room that is specifically for eating (rather than a multipurpose room).
Have a No-Phones Policy
We mentioned above that eating in a dining room is better than eating on the couch. But of course, just because there’s no TV on the wall, that doesn’t mean that technology won’t have the capacity to interrupt your dinner! Loom at adopting a no-phones policy, which will ensure that everyone’s attention is kept squarely on other people at the table, rather than on their Instagram feeds. Some members of your household might complain at first, but they’ll eventually understand the power of putting away their phones and being present in the moment.
