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Nov 1, 2024 2:31:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 21:20:27 GMT
Well I spoke with the committee, giving them a few options. All were shot down. One committee member would rather use paper plates because of dishes...even though to my face she said she wanted glass dinnerware. The other committee member is tired of thinking (her words) and the other committee member is out of the loop. I am upset with myself, for getting into this predicament in the first place. I just assumed when they said a formal elegant evening, we wouldn't be slopping our food onto our paper plates.
And they don't even have enough tablecloths and they don't know if they'll have more by next weekend. I've already called about rentals, for under $100 we can rent tablecloths, but they don't have wiggle room in the budget. They weren't interested in borrowing plates or getting them from thrift stores. Can I throw in the money to rent this stuff? Maybe. But most of our money goes towards specialists for our son, and quite frankly I'd rather help him than to cover their butts at this point.
I don't want to say anything that I will regret, but at this point I've mentally checked out. I will make the centrepieces as nice as I can but that's it. I will ask for zero credit so my name isn't too attached. And I will know better next time.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Feb 2, 2015 21:44:33 GMT
Well I spoke with the committee, giving them a few options. All were shot down. One committee member would rather use paper plates because of dishes...even though to my face she said she wanted glass dinnerware. The other committee member is tired of thinking (her words) and the other committee member is out of the loop. I am upset with myself, for getting into this predicament in the first place. I just assumed when they said a formal elegant evening, we wouldn't be slopping our food onto our paper plates. And they don't even have enough tablecloths and they don't know if they'll have more by next weekend. I've already called about rentals, for under $100 we can rent tablecloths, but they don't have wiggle room in the budget. They weren't interested in borrowing plates or getting them from thrift stores. Can I throw in the money to rent this stuff? Maybe. But most of our money goes towards specialists for our son, and quite frankly I'd rather help him than to cover their butts at this point. I don't want to say anything that I will regret, but at this point I've mentally checked out. I will make the centrepieces as nice as I can but that's it. I will ask for zero credit so my name isn't too attached. And I will know better next time. Wow. The committee really doesn't get what a formal dinner is, and did not think this all through. I think you have truly tried your best. Don't beat yourself up or be upset about it. Just let them do it as they see fit, make your beautiful center pieces, and be done with it. And make sure to profusely credit the committee members who decided that paper plates were the way to go to all who ask about it. "Oh yeah, Betty thought paper plates were the way to go! I never would up with that idea. But she's quite the thinker." Say it all with your brightest smile, as if it's a compliment. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Feb 2, 2015 21:45:14 GMT
Oh, and don't throw in any of your own money for the table cloths or plates! No one will appreciate it any way. That money if for your son and family.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Feb 2, 2015 21:49:28 GMT
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Post by disneypal on Feb 2, 2015 21:57:34 GMT
Costco has nice plastic but real looking plates. I agree with this. I was recently at what I would call a formal event and the dinnerware and flatware were disposable but very, very nice - I found out that my aunt had brought them and she got them at Costco. Most people didn't even realize they were disposable because they were so nice. |
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Post by hennybutton on Feb 2, 2015 22:03:13 GMT
You've given it your best shot. Now, let it go. You don't have any control over it and neither do the Peas, even if the committee is wrong. No sense in making yourself crazy over it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Nov 1, 2024 2:31:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2015 22:53:46 GMT
You've given it your best shot. Now, let it go. You don't have any control over it and neither do the Peas, even if the committee is wrong. No sense in making yourself crazy over it. Lol, thanks. Now I'll have no choice but to let it go, as I'll be spending the rest of the day trying to get that song out of my head.  |
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Post by M~ on Feb 2, 2015 22:54:59 GMT
Our church is planning a formal valentines dinner and a show with a Christian comedian. They're going the extra mile to make this a sold out event. I've been asked to come up with the centrepieces and other decor as that's my passion. Everything will be elegant with red roses, candles, etc. they plan on serving this fancy dinner (done by a caterer) in paper plates and plastic utensils. I think there's a time and place for paper plates and disposable cutlery, but not when you're going for a formal atmosphere. So that got me thinking, do you care what your food is being served on? I'm fine eating on paper for the informal events but I can't imagine going to nice dinner n show all dressed up, and then being served with paper plates. Yes. I would have a problem with that. |
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mallie
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,253 
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Post by mallie on Feb 2, 2015 23:51:19 GMT
Please don't invest your money in this event. You do your job to the best of your ability and stop worrying about the rest. Lack of prior consideration on their part is NOT your problem.
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grinningcat
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,663
Jun 26, 2014 13:06:35 GMT
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Post by grinningcat on Feb 3, 2015 12:53:49 GMT
Don't invest your money in this. Just do your centerpieces, honour that commitment and get out.
But honestly, at a church dinner, any kind of church dinner (including formal), I would expect paper plates. I would not expect real plates, cutlery or glasses because I know how expensive they are to rent and maintain. Not to mention, the health regulations that go with cleaning the plates for public use would also make it prohibitive. Paper honestly makes the most sense, but then I would never expect a church event to be so formal that it would require china. Or even regular plates.
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Post by redayh on Feb 3, 2015 14:11:28 GMT
If they're using paper plates and plastic utensils, then it's not a formal event.
It's just not.
Which is okay.
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gloryjoy
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,332
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Post by gloryjoy on Feb 3, 2015 15:16:48 GMT
Why do people do that?
We are doing the food for my son's wedding in May, 75 people. We had a meeting with future dil's stepmom, she wants to know why we aren't using paper plates?
It's a wedding for crying out loud, my son's wedding, your stepdaughter's wedding, it's a special day. One of the most important days of their lives. The theme is country rustic, not a hoedown. Which a hoedown with paper plates is fine if that is what you want. That is not what her stepdaughter and my son want. Heck I'll pay for the dish rental if it's a budget thing.
You can rent plates, which is what we are doing. And bonus they only need to be scraped off and put back in the crates. No need to wash them.
I think if I paid $60 to go to a formal event/dinner, I'd want to eat off a glass plate.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,564
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Post by MerryMom on Feb 3, 2015 16:04:12 GMT
For $60 a couple, I don't think you can afford to have the caterer provide the plates and flatware or buy the "real thing" or you will lose money.
If it is a good quality disposable plate and the better quality plastic flatware, it doesn't bother me. I think people know that it is a fund-raiser.
Also, you need to know what you are serving, if it is meat that needs to be cut, then disposable plates aren't the best.
What is being served for food?
When you use the term "paper plates", I visualize the stack of 100 of the white paper plates that cost a couple of dollars. If they are a better quality disposable plate, then that is a different situation.
Could it be that your church is using the term "formal" rather loosely in order to ensure that people don't show up in jeans and khakis? Also if this is the first time your church has done this, there are always "lessons learned".
I think that most people there know it is a fundraiser and would rather the money go towards the beneficiary versus going towards "real plates" and "real silverware". However, there will be those that get all "Judy McJudgey" and complain. And you know what, I don't pay attention to the "nattering nabobs of negativism". I also would not be making comments about your own disappointment about "slopping food onto paper plates". Don't stir the pot, or paper plate.
My only comment to a complainer (if she brought it up first) would be "The decision was made to use the money towards (beneficiary) versus spending it on plates and silverware. I'm sorry that you were disappointed."
It's a fundraiser, so you've done your centerpieces... Let it go.
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MerryMom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,564
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Post by MerryMom on Feb 3, 2015 16:14:14 GMT
Don't invest your money in this. Just do your centerpieces, honour that commitment and get out. But honestly, at a church dinner, any kind of church dinner (including formal), I would expect paper plates. I would not expect real plates, cutlery or glasses because I know how expensive they are to rent and maintain. Not to mention, the health regulations that go with cleaning the plates for public use would also make it prohibitive. Paper honestly makes the most sense, but then I would never expect a church event to be so formal that it would require china. Or even regular plates. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ That ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ |
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Post by camanddanismom on Feb 3, 2015 17:03:27 GMT
I agree with you op. With everything else so formal, paper is not appropriate. I use paper, but my mom would NEVER! She was very firm on some things, and this was one of them! She rarely used paper napkins either, even for every day.
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k8scraps
Junior Member
Posts: 83
Location: The Beautiful Berkshires
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Post by k8scraps on Feb 3, 2015 23:20:49 GMT
Paper plates = informal event.
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