Parties in general

[vraiblonde]

The TG survey reminded me:

I'm a party thrower. Putting together a dinner for 4 or 8 or 60 of my nearest and dearest is no biggie. I enjoy cooking and having people over is a good excuse to make things I might not do just for myself. Monello enjoys feeding people as well.

I've thrown so many large parties that they're almost effortless. I don't even start planning a menu until 2 or 3 days beforehand.

That's why I don't understand the tizzy people go into over Thanksgiving or birthdays or any other reason they'd have people over for food. I was on the planning committee for my 30 year class reunion and one of the gals was just in a lather over putting together the dinner. OMG, where to have it! OMG, what to serve! OMG, need a precise head count!

Hell, I could have hosted that dinner myself with less fussing.

So seriously, what's the big deal? Why is mega TG meal such a big deal? You roast a bird, make some stuffing, whip some potatoes, steam some veggies, have someone else bring the pie and rolls. What's the problem?

Why don't families have big throwdowns more often instead of just at the holidays? Why are parties so daunting for people?

 

[kwillia]

My husbands family does. We have quarterly dinner parties for the sole purpose of eating and socializing together... we plan for approx 30 for these gatherings. We also have several regular large gatherings throughout the year anywhere from 50 to 100 people. And each year the permanent large gatherings we always have are Easter, TG and pre-Christmas Saturday... we always plan for 80 for each of those events.

 

[BadGirl]

I'm the same way as Vrai and Kwillia.

I love entertaining, and usually a large group of people, so getting worked up in a tither isn't part of my make-up.

Having said that, I understand if you're not accustomed to large gatherings at your home, and cooking for a large group of people, that it would be daunting.

We've just had lots of practice.

 

[sockgirl77]

I am the complete opposite, as is everyone in my family. My grandmother was our saving grace. She was the planner of the family. She aced every family gathering that we had. I just do not have the time to be a party planner. I miss all of the gatherings that we had and it seems as if our family is distant now that Grandma is gone. I guess I need to replace my Dunce cap with a party planner hat and get things back the way they used to be. Couponing will help with the food. I'll just have to gather the rest of the older generation and get shiat straight.

 

[Dakota]

I, also, have zero issue with large parties but I've also had plenty of practice and end up with enough left overs to feed a small country.

 

[lucky_bee]

My mother and I have a system. She takes care of the larger things, turkey, lasagna, larger/more popular sides... I get all the little things: salad, bread, smaller sides, desserts (depending on who's coming), the tablescape, appetizers, the antipasto platter.... then after it's all over my grandmother usually takes care of coffee and my father does the dishes. Same thing, every holiday. We always do roughly the same food every year too (specific meals though for each holiday) but with little change-ups. One year we'll have lasagna, next it's penne a la vodka. One year it's roasted brussel sprouts with pancetta, next it's asparagus with some lemon sauce. Or she'll change up the stuffing a little, or the way she roasted the turkey... however, if anyone else in my family does it...everything is exactly the same and super plain. Plain turkey, plain mashed potatoes, plain carrots...My grandmother does not make use of her Italian heritage and uses hardly any seasoning and panics over every. little. detail. She also makes every vegetable known to man, 2 bowls of each no matter how many people are coming, and barely throws a tbsp of butter in the bowls. my mom enjoys the planning process of finding different versions of your typical traditional foods. Definitely glad I got that from her.


So holidays are almost always at my mother's bc she can execute big meals so effortlessly. I've usually been her first mate to her captain plus I have over 10 yrs experience in restaurants so I hardly bat an eye. However, if I were to turn around and be given full responsibility of the holiday meals? I'd panic a little...inside. And mostly bc I don't have a kitchen even an 1/4th the size of my mothers. Which is another reason she can handle dinners so well: the kitchen was THE most important thing when we built our house. But I look forward to one day hosting them myself, although I don't see my mother giving up the reigns in the next 3 decades

 

[RoseRed]

I started cooking when I was 10 and took over the holiday meals at 15, so it has never been a big deal for me either. We did have a stretch of years that all holidays were spent at my Mom's place due to circumstances. Now, we have them at either her place, sisters or my house. This Thanksgiving & Christmas is going to be different due to another set of circumstances. In addition to holidays, we had been doing "Mom's Monday's" at her place, but she has been out of town for the most part since June and not quite sure when she will return. Soooo, that means sister and I will just wing it and see what happens.

 

[Vince]

The TG survey reminded me:

I'm a party thrower. Putting together a dinner for 4 or 8 or 60 of my nearest and dearest is no biggie. I enjoy cooking and having people over is a good excuse to make things I might not do just for myself. Monello enjoys feeding people as well.

I've thrown so many large parties that they're almost effortless. I don't even start planning a menu until 2 or 3 days beforehand.

That's why I don't understand the tizzy people go into over Thanksgiving or birthdays or any other reason they'd have people over for food. I was on the planning committee for my 30 year class reunion and one of the gals was just in a lather over putting together the dinner. OMG, where to have it! OMG, what to serve! OMG, need a precise head count!

Hell, I could have hosted that dinner myself with less fussing.

So seriously, what's the big deal? Why is mega TG meal such a big deal? You roast a bird, make some stuffing, whip some potatoes, steam some veggies, have someone else bring the pie and rolls. What's the problem?

Why don't families have big throwdowns more often instead of just at the holidays? Why are parties so daunting for people?

You know I like to cook. If no one shows up to eat it, more brisket for us.

 

[libertytyranny]

I love cooking for people! I've never lived near family and even when they visit, it isn't very many people so I rarely get to execute large parties. I was in heaven helping bf at his family's large dinner party...im not much of a small talker..id way rather be helping prep or cooking and killing a bottle of wine while I do it. Thanksgiving is the EASIEST of all the holiday meals to cook, no sweat.

 

[vraiblonde]

You know I like to cook. If no one shows up to eat it, more brisket for us.

 

[vraiblonde]

Thanksgiving is the EASIEST of all the holiday meals to cook, no sweat.

For real - you already know what you're going to have. Half the battle of throwing a dinner party is figuring out what to cook. TG eliminates that little dilemma.

 

[Dakota]

Some people are just natural organizers while others aren’t. But one thing I have noticed is that some people tend to get way too caught up in the minor details when planning a party and become their own worst enemy. I am not detailed oriented that way and can blow off the small stuff and improvise at a moments noticed. Whenever I know to expect more than 20-25 people, I delegating the bringing of items to others. Some people feel funny about doing that but lets be honest, do you really want to go to somebody's house empty handed? I feel better when I have a pie or rolls.

 

[Vince]

For real - you already know what you're going to have. Half the battle of throwing a dinner party is figuring out what to cook. TG eliminates that little dilemma.

Hell, I have that problem every night figuring out something different for dinner.

 

[kwillia]

I think that dinner parties or big gatherings get off track because there is always going to be someone complaining about things. So what if three people chose to bring deviled eggs. I'll bet you they each used a different recipe. So what if there was too much unsweet tea and not enough sweet tea. And then theirs always someone that's gonna get bent over the placement of Jello Shooters.

Its the petty complainers that end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

 

[RoseRed]

I think that dinner parties or big gatherings get off track because there is always going to be someone complaining about things. So what if three people chose to bring deviled eggs. I'll bet you they each used a different recipe. So what if there was too much unsweet tea and not enough sweet tea. And then theirs always someone that's gonna get bent over the placement of Jello Shooters.

Its the petty complainers that end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

 

[kwillia]

You sooooo get me!

 

[BadGirl]

I think that dinner parties or big gatherings get off track because there is always going to be someone complaining about things. So what if three people chose to bring deviled eggs. I'll bet you they each used a different recipe. So what if there was too much unsweet tea and not enough sweet tea. And then theirs always someone that's gonna get bent over the placement of Jello Shooters.

Its the petty complainers that end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

I have you know, I have a pretty detailed list of TD menu items, and who is repsonsible for bringing what, and I am on deck for making Jell-O Shooters.


And I'm not gonna care where they are placed. This time.

 

[RoseRed]

You sooooo get me!

 

[Vince]

I think that dinner parties or big gatherings get off track because there is always going to be someone complaining about things. So what if three people chose to bring deviled eggs. I'll bet you they each used a different recipe. So what if there was too much unsweet tea and not enough sweet tea. And then theirs always someone that's gonna get bent over the placement of Jello Shooters.

Its the petty complainers that end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

Threw a lot of parties and never heard complaints. Always plenty of food, a nice fire in the fire pit and friends.

 

[vraiblonde]

Its the petty complainers that end up ruining it for everyone in the long run.

This is where friends are better than family. 1) they don't bitch and whine; 2) if they do bitch and whine you just don't invite them again.