How do you handle clean up after parties?

Question

I'm not comfortable having people doing dishes, but pitching in by throwing out stuff and bringing left overs into the kitchen works well for me. Last nite we had a party, and while I really don't expect my guests to pitch in, everyone was family (except one group) and not one person asked if they could help clean up! I told my husband this morning how disappointed I was, and instead of jumping up to help, he just said he understood how disappointed I was.

Answer 1

You need to get a good sized hunk of foam rubber to hang on the wall. Then you can pound your head into that instead of the wall, since you are doomed to a lifetime of no cooperation.

Answer 2

What's Your Comfort Level with Accepting Help?
Begin by deciding whether you'd like your guests to help with cleaning up. During family gatherings, help from family members is often the norm, and everyone settles into a role. Some family members love to pack up the leftovers. Others enjoy loading the dishwasher. Some love to get up to their elbows in soapy water while scrubbing pots. Often some of the best laughs happen as family members pitch in together to keep things tidy. Follow your family's customs and everyone will feel, literally, at home.

On the other hand, you may not feel as comfortable with hands on assistance if you're hosting a business party or group of friends. If that's the case, you'll need to insist that your guests relax and leave the clean-up to you. That may also mean that you ignore most of the serious cleaning in the presence of your friends, despite your inclination to make your rooms neater. Carrying an abandoned plate or glass into the kitchen as you walk around and socialize is fine. Scrubbing pots at the sink is going overboard.

Answer 3

My Mom once catered a pretty important funtion for us in the military, used high end paper plates etc. It's a little more expensive but well worth it esp if you want some to take home some of the leftovers. Saran wrap and presto.

I recently injured my ankle and couldn't stand (literally) to do the dishes disposable were a godsend once I could get out to get some. In future they will be a permanent item in my pantry.

BTW next time to hubby help "Consider it an Order" Manners are the lubricant of a well ordered and run society. A happy wife can make your life soooooo much more enjoyable.

Answer 4

My family always does the paper plate thing too (we use silverware though). But for fancier occasions, I really wouldn't expect anyone to clean up at a party I invited them to. I'd feel weird because they are a guest and it's not their job (at least to me) whether they are family or not.

It's always nice, and they should at least take their plates to the kitchen, and offer to help put things up, but I would never expect anyone to wash dishes. In fact, the party should be about spending time together and enjoying each other's company, so dish washing can and should be done after everyone leaves in my opinion. Set them in the sink and go back to enjoy yourself.

Answer 5

When we've had guests, they're nice enough to ask where the trash is, or bring their plates to the kitchen. Some even offer to help, but I tell them no thanks, I'll do a load of dishes later, and go back to the party. (It's also because I don't want them accidentally breaking my china. If I break my china, then it's my own damned fault.)

It also works to start picking things up like a waitress, and then someone will always offer to help throw things in the trash.

Answer 6

It depends, if it is family and/or close friends and the party is nothing "big," then everyone gets plastic EVERYTHING and I buy all the food. Very little clean up.

If it is a special guest or a "fancy" gathering, then sorry, A LOT of washing after wards. There is usually 1 or 2 members of the family or friends who TRULY want to help out after wards with the mess.

Answer 7

I would have handed my hubby a big trash bad and said "Let's get to it". As far as your company goes, they should have had the common courtesy to offer, but since you invited them to be guests in your home they were not obligated, you were. Next time have a plan. I try to Keep things organized, by doing as much as I can before we sit down. I have the sink filled with clean sudsy water then I say, "please clear of your plates before placing them in the sink". If they offer to help with loading the dish washer or even washing dishes I accept. If they don't, I'll handle it. Keep you guest list to a reasonable number so that your not overwhelmed.

Answer 8

I always find that if I want help cleaning up I have to actually put the solution in peoples hands, like hand someone a garbage bag and say, "Will you collect all the used cups" Or give them a sponge and say, "You don't mind wiping down the countertops, do you?" Once confronted with the task literally ,at hand, They usually will be very cooperative because, how embarassing would it be for them to say no to you once they're already half way there.

Answer 9

If your guests won't help you clean up, then I would not invite them next time around. June Cleaver could do all the clean-up herself, but it's 2006 and a little help in the kitchen after a bash is just good manners. It seems your guests have no manners...

Answer 10

pre clean as much as you can, and tell your husband you expect his help when it's all over before the party. Ask someone you know if they would mind helping before the party. Once that person stands up to start helping others will join in thinking it's the right thing to do.