Does anyone enjoy hosting anymore?

Question

Today's busy world rather discourages hosting dinner parties and such, but it wouldn't kill to try.

Answer 1

We generally do 3 events per year - always around the same time. One in spring, one in fall and one after the new year. If you pick "off" weekends, it does seem to help. Both my husband and I are natural hosts. Because the world is so busy and friends schedules are so out of whack we generally invite twice the amount of guests we want to show up. Some will come by just for a few minutes because they know everyone will be here and generally everyone makes it to at least one of the events.

If you are dealing with friends with children, it's a good idea to host a party when a really good movie is out at theaters. Several of the parents can drop the children at the movie theater (usually one or two parents will go to the movie with them while the others come and enjoy the party for a couple of hours).

I think because of the business of the world, it takes more of an advance notice, a confirmation phone call and the timing is key.

Everyone should host!

Answer 2

I do Sunday night dinners at my apartment. My friends know they can come by anytime and help if they come early. Dinners at 7ish. They do the dishes in a few minutes after dinner, and I have fun spending the cash I'd spend in a night out on ingredients for a simple meal heavy on the standby cheap eats. Taco night, lasagne, stir frys, etc. All can be made to fit the crowd and none cost more than a night out to dinner for 2. If only one or two come by it's intimate and chill, if 6 or 8 come by it turns into an impromptu party.

Answer 3

I love it, but trying to get friends or relatives over is like pulling teeth. They all know the food will be great and it will be a fun time, but everybody's so busy busy busy anymore. It's worse when the people invited have kids. There's always a practice to take them to, watch other friends' kids, dance lessons, whatever.

Answer 4

I found that after awhile it gets to be alot of work depending on how many people you have over. If its just a few family or friends over its not to bad. But what I do now if I have alot of people over I have all the food catered, sometimes its cheaper than doing it yourself, then this way you can spend time visiting with your guests and not have to worry about cooking or mixing beverages.

Answer 5

I am not so experienced cooker but I would like to cook for my friends... but somehow am getting scared when am cooking for some other people!All the time am worry if my oven will baked well,if I will put enough salt,if I will over cook it and that's the reason why don't cook for my friends,am under big pressure and it's better to order smth that will be good for sure...

Answer 6

Love to have friends over for lunch but it does cost times and money. To cut cost down, I usually have pot-luck, asking each family to bring a main dish and I will provide 1 main dish, rice and dessert.

Since we have little one at home, we do this at certain occassions (e.g. Chinese New Year, Christmas) only.

Answer 7

We all lead busy lives, but we must all find the time to do those things that give us pleasure.........in my case, that is defiantely hosting dinner parties! I am so passionate about it that I've now even built my own website:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/index.html

Answer 8

I love cooking for my friends and try to do it 3 or 4 times a year. I would love to do it more often but I cant afford to

Answer 9

well, thing is, my life has gone in a direction that it is not easy to do so. still, i do and always have enjoyed hosting gatherings of one sort or another, i'm a born host. used to actually get paid for it, but as i say life changes.

Answer 10

My husband and I love having people over for food - whether dinner or just appetizers. I must admit, I'm with you. We seem to be the only ones who do it!