What can I do with relatives that carry off with the food after a party?

Question

Yesterday we had a birthday party for my Mom we invited a lot of relatives. When the party finished they carried with every piece of food they could. They even took sodas, most of my Moms cake, meat from the cookout you name it they took a big load of everything. I don't want to sound mean, but we didn't have anything left over. Now we are expecting them real soon for another party, how can we avoid this from happening again? By the way they always do this. You might say don't invite them anymore, but they are my Mom's relatives.

Answer 1

Once everything starts to wind down - take the food and put it in the kitchen. Tell everyone you will make plates for them and to hold tight for it. Divy it up as you see fit and dont let anyone help unless they are in on it. : )

Answer 2

After everyone eats, put everything up and don't leave it sitting around for them to take. Hide the sodas and only take out what is being consumed at the time. Only make enough food for the people attending with no leftovers. The same thing happens to me at Christmas. Not only do I have no food left, I have trash hidden under the sofa, on the cabinets in the kitchen, in the bushes in the backyard.

Answer 3

I would love for my relatives to take the food with them when we have left over at any party but they barely do. Will you eat those left over the next day or let it sit in the frig then end up in the trash? That is your mom's relatives, and the act that they do is an habit, hard to break so invite them, everyone have fun, they take whatever left....at least you don't have to be the one who waste food to trash.

Answer 4

1. Have your parties be potlucks. Ask everyone to byob or soda.
2. Limit your parties to between meals like cakes and cookies.
3. Don't put everything out: Put what you would like to have leftover in reserve - maybe at a friend's house. As soon as you cut the cake, put some away - a safe might be a good place!

Do they do this at their parties as well?

Answer 5

when you send out invitations to the party instruct everyone to bring a covered dish and dessert. Then you can bring out some empty plates, bowls, etc and take some of each food item you like and put in your fridge. You don't have the clean up when the relatives take their own dishes home and you get some leftovers from them. Or you don't feel so bad when they take their own leftovers.

Answer 6

I doubt some thing fairly is going on, if there have been, they could be sneaking round and does not be so glaring. My opinion? Nick is an immature jerk nevertheless lusting after teenage females. Your daughter is innocent the following, because that she hasn't matured yet your self, she does not fairly see it and merely relish the interest. She likely would not comprehend any extra acceptable if no one has stopped to inform her, oh by using how that is incorrect!!! ok, so that they are not blood suitable. yet! there is an age vast difference, he's an human being and he or she isn't. incorrect. he's married and he or she's nevertheless a baby. incorrect. Please call him, faster really than later and placed an end to this variety of behaviour. Nick is coaching her each and every of the incorrect issues about the thanks to have interplay with adult men. And please! Have an open and difficulty-free communique along with your daughter, percentage your emotions together with her, ask for her ideas and emotions. contain her in all of this. wish you artwork this out :/

Answer 7

Usually company won't leave directly after the meal is done. Put the food you want in the fridge. Put a note on the fridge that the items left out can be taken home and enjoyed. If they still take your fridge items, you may have to speak up because that is just plain rude.

Answer 8

Try telling them, that with all your hard work in preparing the party that you are going to relax the following day, and that you plan on eating the leftovers instead of cooking. I had a similar problem, and this got them to let some things without making me seem like a jerk. You could also suggest that if they would like to take leftovers with them, that they could bring some covered dishes to your next event, and then they can fix a plate of whatever they like to take home with them. Good luck.

Answer 9

I guess you can tell them simply, and nicely, to please not take your food home. It's there for e/one to enjoy while AT the party.
I must ask how do they take it home? They've got to put it in something.
Another option would be to hang a pretty sign above the serving table......Eat at much as you like while here...But please do not take any leftover home.
You just may lose some family members for your nx party. But I wouldnt worry about it.
3rd option would be to make a lot less to serve. That would mean, nothing left over for anyone to take home.
My favorite, the 4th and last option, have them all bring something and they can take what's left over of THEIR'S only!

Answer 10

They are relatives and its just food. I mean if you had enough left over for all of the relatives to leave with some...chances are u had a hell of a lot left over. I mean if they would have left it, what would you have done with it?? Probably throw half of it away.

When I have parties I send people packing with stuff. I know I can't eat it all and I hate to waste and throw away.

Answer 11

Have the next party be a potluck. Tell your relatives to bring twice as much food as they really need to. Then after they drop off the food, tell them the party is cancelled and tell them to go home.