We have a large family.....and not the most motivated! When the whole group is together it tends to be two or three people getting dinner ready, and the same people cleaning up afterwards.
In the past we have wrapped up gifts for everyone from the Dollar Store. They received their gifts at the door (unexpectedly) and everyone's gift indicated what their job was (Table cloth - they set the table, Dish cloth - wash dishes, Santa hat - handed out gifts, Pot scrubber, etc.) We had a lot of fun with it, heckling those with junk jobs and trading up for the good jobs. (One person got a tiara and instead of a job they had "Immunity".)
Anyone have any other ideas to get everyone involved in setting up and cleaning up at a holiday party, when they won't do it voluntarily??
2007-12-21 11:15:24 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Christmas
What a fantastic idea! I love it! But to enlist the help of my family, I am not nearly as creative, I just call out thier names, tell them a job to do and they usally do it. I have found that a cheerful disposition in the kitchen invites help. I know I get more help when I am not grumpy. When I get in a bad mood in the kitchen the family runs for the hills!
2007-12-21 11:22:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I come from an Italian family so I can relate completely! I LOVE your dollar store idea! If it worked well, why don't you do the same thing again? Maybe you want to spice it up a bit? Well, I think that you should either ask everyone to fork up $ and get your food bought to relieve the burdon on the few people that are doing the work, or put chores/tasks on little pieces of paper and pick out of a hat. You can't get more creative than the dollar store idea...good for you! You can also do potluck and everyone's responsible for cleaning their own serving tray then make another trip to the dollar store and buy paper plates and utensils. No one likes to tidy up so pick a few songs and time them (maybe 15 minutes worth of music) and announce a race game. No one can relax until everyone is done. Good Luck and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
2007-12-21 19:31:28 · answer #2 · answered by laura 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask them to bring a covered dish, to help out with the dinner festivities & dont serve deserts or drinks until the dishes are done & the food is put away, & the dining area looks clean, those who dont help, get NO desert, or get served last.
2007-12-21 19:35:59 · answer #3 · answered by yvonne p 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make them pay for the meal and then have a service come in to do the cleaning, paid for by those who paid for the meals. If they don't want to pay for the meal, either don't invite them, or tell them CLEAN UP is a REQUIREMENT of being invited. It is perhaps a bit harsh, but the only way to know for sure you won't be stuck with all the work by those freeloaders.
2007-12-21 19:20:36 · answer #4 · answered by Mike 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in my family no one gets presents until the clean up is done. and our dinners have the host doing the main dish and one side dish and everyone else is responsible for a side dish to help out with the cooking
2007-12-21 19:34:20 · answer #5 · answered by girlonahorse 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People shouldn't have to clean up when invited to your house .They are guests.Sure it would be nice but,,,Let them enjoy themselves.Are you the parent of adult children?If so its time to pass that baton.Next year go enjoy yourself at there house.Here you have a choice either example how they should have acted at yours or kick back and party.
2007-12-21 19:29:31 · answer #6 · answered by Marble77 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Dollar Store idea is great. Let people know that if they don't help, they won't be invited back next year.
2007-12-21 19:20:11 · answer #7 · answered by la buena bruja 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i get someone to set the table...someone to pour drinks...someone to help bring the food in....some else to wash up afterwards....i just get everyone to muck in together...after all they are eating off those plates so the least they can do is wash them and clear up after themselves...
2007-12-21 19:19:38 · answer #8 · answered by Dazzlebox 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do what I do. I get in a central position and yell "I need a little assistance here!!" It works, you'll see.
2007-12-21 19:19:21 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just plain out ask, can I please have some help with dinner I am overwhelmed...
Ask who wants to do what...
Making dinner and cleaning up is overwhelming.
2007-12-21 19:22:29 · answer #10 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋