|
|
Post by hop2 on Feb 11, 2020 18:02:32 GMT
I always wanted that to be a thing but Ex hated having people over.
I do have a friend for dinner every now & then but it’s not a formal dinner party.
|
|
|
|
Post by Susie_Homemaker on Feb 11, 2020 19:19:50 GMT
We just bought a new, larger house in part because we do enjoy entertaining so much. Is it an open concept house? Because you know you can't entertain unless it's open concept!  This is what DH and I say all the time because people on HGTV say they want an "open concept so they can entertain" as if you can't entertain if there are some walls. We've talked about making a drinking game out of it.  |
|
|
|
Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Feb 11, 2020 22:02:25 GMT
Is it an open concept house? Because you know you can't entertain unless it's open concept! This is what DH and I say all the time because people on HGTV say they want an "open concept so they can entertain" as if you can't entertain if there are some walls. We've talked about making a drinking game out of it. It's halfway there! The house was originally designed and built by a local architect with a penchant for open, angular, mid-century modern type design. Fun fact: When I was in high school, I babysat regularly for his three boys in the house they built and lived in after this one. This house has very open rooms, lots of angles, liberal use of skylights and window walls, along with a spacious floor plan which make it live very 'open concept' even though it's a 70s era "modern" house. Come to a dinner party and I'll show you! |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:51:50 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 11, 2020 22:04:53 GMT
We entertain like that and I suspect years of being an army wife is part of it. I like trying out new recipes and using the good plates and silver ware. Silly little things but I enjoy it.  Not silly at all, it sounds wonderful! |
|
|
|
Post by belgravia on Feb 11, 2020 22:35:10 GMT
We love having dinner parties, but don’t get to host as often as we would like, because my husband travels a lot for work. My parents host a ton of dinner parties, and they always have. They winter in the desert, have a ton of friends, and my mom is a fantastic cook. So during they day they are playing golf or bridge, and then for dinner they are either hosting friends or going out.
|
|
|
|
Post by jubejubes on Feb 11, 2020 23:18:13 GMT
I love  hosting dinner parties! That is why I have china & crystal and real silver cutlery! I had a simple "Chicken Soup" party in mid January. Seemed like a good time of year to have chicken soup with friends! There were appetizers and plenty to drink. Different breads with olive oil/balsamic dipping, real butter, different leaf salads and of course, dessert! I had the table set so pretty and my friends enjoyed being invited to this evening. My table will seat 8 & with an extended to 12! Afterwards, we play eurche. I often have dinner parties. When I was married, I would make table favours, name tags, the whole shebang! My friends loved coming to my parties. Honestly, there is too much informality in life. Some times, a bit of formality is required. I am teaching my dgc, along with the help of my ds & ddil, about table manners and how to eat in a more formal setting. I can hardly wait until Easter, when I can have another dinner party. It will be beautiful! |
|
|
|
Post by gar on Feb 12, 2020 0:05:56 GMT
Hostess trolley anyone ? 😂
We tend to have one couple at a time for dinner rather than larger groups.
I think someone early in the thread said that everything is so much more casual these days and I think they’re right. No one wants to ‘bother’ too much, things that don’t require so much effort are preferred it seems. I wonder if the pendulum will ever swing back in favour of dinner parties, dressing up a bit etc.
|
|
kate
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,667 
Location: The city that doesn't sleep
Site Supporter
Jun 26, 2014 3:30:05 GMT
|
Post by kate on Feb 12, 2020 0:56:37 GMT
We used to have people over for dinner quite often in my 20's and 30's until the second kid came along. My younger ones (actually, even the eldest one, too!) probably never remember a time when there were cookbooks on the shelf (they're in the storage locker now) and guests for dinner.  I loved to try out recipes. We usually just had one or two other couples over at a time, but I'd put on the whole nine yards. We had three families to whom we were very close when our kids were young. We used to have all kinds of casual dinners at one house or another. One dad loved to grill - we're in Manhattan, so it was a mini charcoal grill out on the fire escape! I wouldn't call any of those "dinner parties," though. It was more like, "Hey the kids are still playing, so why don't you call your DH to eat here, and I'll make arroz con habichuelas for everyone..." Sweet memories. I have my girlfriends over for lunch once in awhile, and I'll break out the china and crystal, but I often order the food instead of cooking! Now that the kids are bigger, I would very much enjoy getting back into hosting dinners. |
|
|
|
Post by mikewozowski on Feb 12, 2020 3:04:10 GMT
it can be as casual or fancy as you want. do what you are comfortable with. i would actually rather host a dinner at home instead of going out all the time.
|
|
|
|
Post by AussieMeg on Feb 12, 2020 6:32:45 GMT
The first furniture purchase that DSO and I made together was a square 8 seat table, and we had plans to have lots of dinner parties. 17 years later, and we've had a grand total of...... ZERO dinner parties!  |
|
|
|
Post by gar on Feb 12, 2020 9:54:34 GMT
The first furniture purchase that DSO and I made together was a square 8 seat table, and we had plans to have lots of dinner parties. 17 years later, and we've had a grand total of...... ZERO dinner parties!  Slacker  |
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:51:50 GMT
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2020 14:53:21 GMT
I think not as manly traditional dinner parties are held these days, because no one wants to cater to each individuals needs....Vegan, gluten, keto, plain only(<< that would be me), no dairy, no carbs, low fat only, etc... In this day and age, it's a "me" type of society. Unlike back in yesteryear, where everyone ate whatever the hostess served, and very rarely was anyone catered to. These days people are (myself included) are vocal about what they will and won't eat. That makes it hard to accomodate an assortment of guests. This is all of our friends! LOL!!!  Our best friends are vegan, we are strict vegetarian (we eat eggs and drink milk, but from a local farm, no grocery store dairy) my other really good friends are no sugar/no carbs, and then several people I know who I might invite are gluten-free. We have literally had dinners where we all get together but bring our own food! |
|
pancakes
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,002
|
Post by pancakes on Feb 13, 2020 18:01:41 GMT
I hate hosting parties. It’s a lot of work and expense and I don’t find them fun.
That said, we do have a few per year, but it’s always a situation where I cook 85% of the meal and guests offer to bring stuff, whether it’s dessert or an app — or usually alcoholic beverages of their choice. And they are usually themed, whether it’s Cinco de Mayo (I make some excellent carnitas, ha), 4th of July, Labor Day, etc.
I always just put the food out (and often it’s a full meal’s worth, not just finger foods) on a large table and people can grab what they want buffet style and eat on our rooftop deck or by the food or in our living room. No one ever does a real sit down meal, especially since some people can only come for an hour or so and then have another engagement to go to.
My parents entertained even less than I do, ha.
I’d rather meet people at a fun new restaurant and let them do the cleaning and share the cost of the food. I used to work in the culinary industry and people know I’m a good cook, so I feel extra pressure to provide a good spread. I’m always disappointed in myself when I don’t.
|
|
|
|
Post by cadoodlebug on Feb 13, 2020 18:14:01 GMT
We're going to a dinner party tomorrow night ~ 4 couples. The hostess is serving Beef Wellington. We're supposed to wear red or pink. After dinner we will be playing Battle of the Sexes. The hostess loves to entertain and has a summer pool party for about 40 people every year as well as a Christmas party that is lights out. She also has themed parties like 4th of July, St. Patrick's Day, etc. We have them over with another couple occasionally for game night and gumbo. ETA: She also hosted a wonderful Murder Mystery Dinner that was incredible! Everyone had their part, dressed the part and DH ended up being the killer. He played it so under the radar that no one guessed he was the murderer!! I was the *widow*, an old Italian woman, and the victim was having an affair and got his mistress pregnant. When that tidbit was revealed at the dinner table, I turned to the *Priest* sitting next to me and said *That son-of-a-bitch*. Several people spurted wine on their dinners.  |
|
|
|
Post by Susie_Homemaker on Feb 13, 2020 18:36:57 GMT
We're going to a dinner party tomorrow night ~ 4 couples. The hostess is serving Beef Wellington. We're supposed to wear red or pink. After dinner we will be playing Battle of the Sexes. The hostess loves to entertain and has a summer pool party for about 40 people every year as well as a Christmas party that is lights out. She also has themed parties like 4th of July, St. Patrick's Day, etc. We have them over with another couple occasionally for game night and gumbo. ETA: She also hosted a wonderful Murder Mystery Dinner that was incredible! Everyone had their part, dressed the part and DH ended up being the killer. He played it so under the radar that no one guessed he was the murderer!! I was the *widow*, an old Italian woman, and the victim was having an affair and got his mistress pregnant. When that tidbit was revealed at the dinner table, I turned to the *Priest* sitting next to me and said *That son-of-a-bitch*. Several people spurted wine on their dinners. I don't want to host dinner parties but I do want a friend like that that likes to throw them. They sound like a lot of fun! |
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Feb 13, 2020 21:01:48 GMT
I’d rather meet people at a fun new restaurant we live rural - fun new restaurants are rather thin on the ground - our last couple of meet-ups were at Cracker Barrel, lol |
|
|
|
Post by camanddanismom on Feb 14, 2020 3:28:29 GMT
My parents had frequent formal dinner parties and cocktail parties in the 70s and 80s. I used to love to help and that is how I learned to cook.
I was thinking about this very thing a few weeks ago when hosting book club.
|
|
|
|
Post by ilikepink on Feb 14, 2020 4:10:53 GMT
I tried, when I was married. We had people over a few times, but they never really reciprocated. And husband didn’t really like it.
As a single person, I have people over a few times a year, aside from holidays. Not couples, but other singles. Again no one really reciprocates, but it doesn’t bother me. I would do it more if I could; good friends in an intimate setting as a home is nice.
|
|
hosting dinner parties! That is why I have china & crystal and real silver cutlery!
I loved to try out recipes. We usually just had one or two other couples over at a time, but I'd put on the whole nine yards.
