Have we gotten away from the art of hospitality. Back in the day when I was a kid you would go to someone’s home for a cookout or dinner. While there the house of whom the party or dinner was being held was responsible for most of the food purchasing and cooking. People would the bring a dessert or side dish to share unless you had someone make a dish, they are beloved for. Now if we fast forward to today cookouts and dinners are becoming a hassle to pay for with the cost of food. Do we end the gift of hospitality and make it more of a gift of affordability?
Hosting and Having Others Over
It’s not as easy as it seems to have others over. Depending on when they come you must be prepared to entertain, feed, and more. For instance, at my house, I have a call before you come because I was tired of people coming over seemingly at dinner and never bringing anything to contribute. This was for the habitual line steppers that seemed to time their arrival before dinner and their departure seemed to always be at dessert time. Although it’s not about liking people it is about making sure that you can handle folks ‘pop up.
To Take a Plate-Hosting Issues
We all know that as soon as you have folks over you will have the folks that never bring anything to the party. No wine bottle or even plates but have zero issues taking several to go plates with them. If you were like my mother-in-law, she would bring her own meat to cook on the grill to take home and didn’t share. Now this only went for her siblings home. However, what are your thoughts on the to go plates? It never bothered me unless it was the never having folks taking plates to their 17 kids at home. One plate per person who was there is one thing but once you get into the art of balancing plates between arms there needs to be a conversation.
Cookouts for All
A new trend is coming together as a collaborative. This is something we have all done but more organized. For instance, instead of having someone bring a side dish you have them contribute to the main meal aka the meats if it is a cookout. Each family brings a side dish and a meat to grill. This cuts down the costs of the homeowner. Think about the fact that each family brings something different but can try things that they didn’t bring. This keeps things fair. If you are okay with these types of cookout and dinners, it can be done electronically that way everyone is on the same page of what to expect and more.
Hostess Gifts for Hosting
I dislike going to places without a hostess gift. Even if it is my mom, I will bring something to leave. One time I was at a dinner, and someone took the hostess gift back home claiming they didn’t like the food. Whatever you bring to leave plan to leave it there unless the homeowner gives it back to you. Leaving the gift helps to again show face in offsetting the expensive costs that it is to feed individuals. It is getting harder and harder to feed your own family even if it just you. So be kind to the hostess whomever has taken on the charge of organizing a great dinner party, birthday party or cookout.
You can spend less money by being creative. Get creative on the food by having guests agree to bring something or split the costs. I do think its tacky to ask for money only unless your group of individuals can agree to it. When it comes to money with my extended family, we just split the responsibilities in the sense of money. For instance, hotdogs are cheaper than ribs. So maybe the hotdog person can bring ice and drinks too. It just needs to be out in the open or understood.
Lastly remember that everyone has rules at their house. If you don’t want to adhere to the rules don’t volunteer to go to anyone’s home. I see so many people arguing over something they could have elected out of. Enjoy the rest of the summer get togethers. Be fair with whom you are breaking bread. Also make sure it’s someone you want to break bread with. If you don’t like a person don’t eat with them. If you are hosting an event consider all sides.
