Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| Etiquette for holiday open house? | Login/Join |
Has Achieved Nirvana |
Weekday or weekend, afternoon or evening, I think of holiday gatherings of being festive and would offer both wine and non-alcoholic beverages. Even holiday brunches in the late morning can feature mimosas or Bloody Marys. But I don't think it's a deal breaker either way. Everyone can live without the booze.
| |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity  |
Well, I guess we'll find out. Like, if we have a second event and no one comes... :P
| |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
It's impossible to please everyone. We made a conscious decision to limit our beverages to a couple of kinds of soft drinks (one diet, one regular), coffee, and red and white wines. We had one guest who, after surveying the beverage selection, asked if we had some scotch. We lied and said no. He wouldn't back off and kept asking for some type of hard liquor. We held our ground politely and he finally relented. He was otherwise a dear sweet man and we remained friends until his passing a few years ago.
It will be their loss. But I doubt that would happen.
| |||
|
| Pinta & the Santa Maria Has Achieved Nirvana  |
I wouldn't expect a glass of wine at a 1:30 event, but I wouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't be surprised if there were no alcohol, either. I'm a guest, I go with the flow. As for the vegetarian thing, I don't see the equivalence. I eat meat, but I offer a vegetarian option at parties as a matter of course. I guess my view is that if someone wants to invite me over, give me free food, good conversation, and friendship, I'm good to go with whatever menu is presented.  Your party will be fab. | |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
Word.
| |||
|
What Life? |
If I had a recovering alcoholic living in my home, my parties would not serve alcohol. If I were vegetarian for moral/ethical reasons, my parties would not serve meat. If I insist everyone who enters washes their hands, I'll have installed a sink at the front entrance, and if I want no outdoor shoes, I'll copy SK's wording on the invitation and/or provide shoe covers. I liked the advance warning - that spares someone from having to find a place to sit whilst removing their laceup tall boots, or such. We know to wear easy shoes, to bring our own indoor shoes if we have such a thing, etc. As said, its a party! Eat, drink, be merry!
| |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity |
Thanks y'all, hopefully my guests will have the same approach!
| |||
|
| czarina Has Achieved Nirvana  |
I tell people to bring their own beverages. Serving wine for a small gathering is fine, but we can't afford to buy a case of it for a large group. And I dont keep hard liquor in the house. I live with a recovering alcoholic and he is just fine with having alcohol and drinkers in the house. We usually have an open bottle that I enjoy by myself.
| |||
|
| (self-titled) semi-posting lurker Minor Deity |
In retrospect I could have written something like “we will have coffee, tea and desserts” I. The invitation ... maybe I’ll do that next time. Now to figure what exactly to write on the sign to put on the piano... Funny that I’m doing that before making the dessert menu! Priorities!!! :P
| |||
|
| Pinta & the Santa Maria Has Achieved Nirvana |
How about "Keep your carp and your dirty mitts off my piano!"  | |||
|
Has Achieved Nirvana |
It’s an open house, IMHO. It’s not a formal dinner. I’d put out what you’re comfortable with and ask guests to follow the rules of the house. If that doesn’t work for some they’re free to go after sampling the crudités. Put out a few Japanese delicacies and you may find various dietary preferences disappear. No one will turn down the cookies. It’s supposed to be fun. Enjoy! 
| |||
|
| Has Achieved Nirvana |
BTW, the best regional specialty I had while in SC and maybe the best regional specialty I’ve ever had anywhere is Italian Cream Cake. There is nothing like it anywhere else, as far as I can tell. I made one when I got home and it was a buttload of work but turned out perfectly. Get one at a bakery and set it out. No one will care about vegetarian entrees after that. Let ‘em eat cake!
| |||
|
Has Achieved Nirvana |
Exactly. House rules. At the same time, giving people notice of house rules is polite. | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata | Page 1 2 3 4 |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|