Kitchen

[house_cat]

I'm hosting a luncheon for five friends today. Lunch and brunch are my favorites. There will be six of us, including me.  It sounded so simple, but turned out not to be.  That's probably because I'm a fuss-budget when it comes to food.

I spent all day Monday cleaning.

I spent all day Tuesday shopping and cooking.

I'll spend all morning today doing last minute preparations and all afternoon hosting and all evening cleaning up.

I love to do it, but it always surprises me how much work is involved. When I had a young family, I hosted parties very frequently and didn't think twice about it.

I guess I'm just old.

Do you entertain often?

What's your favorite type of gathering to host?

[ChynnaBlue]

Yes, and that's why my friends and I always meet at restaurants or coffee shops. If I go to someone else's house, it's usually because we're carpooling to the restaurant. On nice days/evenings, we'll go for a walk afterward if we want to continue chatting. No one has to clean, cook, and then clean again. Several of us moved out to Austin together on job transfers and we're all out here while our extended families are in other states. We used to all get together for a Thanksgiving potluck at one couple's house, but now we all go out to dinner on Thanksgiving.

Nearly every group I'm in, book clubs, knitting groups, political groups, etc., meets in public spaces. We also have a women's community center in town where many groups meet.

[Chrystaltree2]

I love entertaining; I always loved it.  Even when I was a kid, I enjoyed helping my mom and my nana prepare for family dinners and parties.  When we had our big house and when the kids were home, we entertained fairly frequently.  But we downsized a few years ago, the girls are off on their own now and I've been battling chronic pain.  We have not done a lot of entertaining recently.  However!  I'm seeing a pain specialist and I'm feeling much better now, practically no pain at all.  My energy is back, I feel stronger.  So, I'm planning an indoor bbq for 8-10 people in two weeks and a luncheon for my girl friends sometime in September or October.  I've never been one to make myself crazy or wear myself out when I host a gathering.  I certainly don't feel that I must make everything from scratch and my house is always clean and in order.  I don't have a perfect home, I don't know anyone who does.  So, if it's "good enough for us", it's good enough for our guests.  I like to enjoy my own gatherings and I like to spend time with my guests.  I prefer doing brunches and luncheons.  I generally do a buffet.  As I said, I get as many prepared dishes as I can and then I have time to make my specialties.  To be honest, I love decorating and setting up the tables more than anything else.  Of course, I am married to the best guy on this planet, he always helps out.  Whatever I need him to do, he does with smile on his face.         

[aggravated]

I have come to the same conclusion.  We used to do all the holidays with family at our home.  Entertain friends in large and small groups constantly.  I just can't do it any more.  The cleaning, shopping and cleaning up afterward is just too much.  No more entertaining at my house if I had my way.  Husband invited the neighbors for cocktails and swimming - he went shopping and prepared the outside setting because he knows how I feel about this.  He's retired and I'm still working - that's all I can do these days energywise.

[Suzeecat]

I love to entertain, but it is a lot of work. I like to look at the silver lining that I will clean more thoroughly for visitors than I do for just me, so it's a good excuse for deep cleaning. 

[spent2much]

No, it wasn't always this tiring for me.  I used to host lots of family occasions... birthdays, holidays, etc.  I'm 66 now with back, knee and foot issues.  I get around, go grocery shopping, cook supper, do laundry, etc., but company?  Just too much work.  We only "entertain" now for our son and his family (daughter is in a different state).

[spix]

Not so much anymore, usually a BBQ or 2 during the Summer to keep in touch with old friends, & like many said quite often in a restaurant. Still have all the major Holidays which does wear me out, as you all know it's a lot of work (I'm one of those that has to make everything from scratch) so it's my own fault. Still I really love our neighborhood monthly Martini's & Pizza get togethers as it's no work, mix drinks, order pizza, coffee & dessert (usually home made) makes for a great relaxing evening.

[colliegirls]

We used to entertain friends and have parties in our home often when we were younger but now we meet friends at a restaurant. I enjoy going out more and it is a lot less stress.

[peachesncream]

I think it was always a ton of work to entertain. But when I was younger I didn't mind.

These days we tend to meet at restaurants. It's such a relief to just show up - and not have to stress out, plan, clean, cook, clean some more - and then recover!

We choose a place where it's possible to have conversation, and where you can linger over a meal. It's always a lot of fun.

[RedTop]

I would have to answer your question with a YES.   I do not now, nor have I ever liked to entertain.   Even more, I do not like to be entertained----not a social person, and I know exactly why I feel that way.  I grew up in a family where the preacher and his family were invited to Sunday dinner at least once a month.  My grandmother taught Sunday School and the invites were always her idea.  It was one thing when dinner was at her house; if my parents didn't want to go, we didn't go.  However, my Mom was often pulled into the middle, which meant dinner was held at our house, and then there was no escaping the drama.  My dad worked 6 days a week and Sunday was his only day at home.  He preferred to enjoy the day in peace and quiet, not have a house full of people.  My attitude about many things is exactly like my dads.