The bread shared warm can make an ordinary arrival feel expected.

Being expected is different from being allowed in. Something already made, still warm, says that your arrival was thought about in advance, that somebody was working towards this hour rather than reacting to a knock. It is a small piece of evidence that you were on someone’s mind before you were in their doorway.

If you know when a person is coming, do one thing in advance so they walk into it. The kettle on, the table cleared, something baking. It does not have to be impressive, only finished slightly before they arrive.