Entertaining adult nieces and nephews - normal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why people are assuming that people in their 20's-30's need soda in the house. I am 33 and none of my friends, family, or in-laws of any age drink regular soda. We did not drink it in our early 20's either. Most of us drink water or coffee. We occasionally indulge in club soda, flavored seltzer, and perhaps ONE diet soda on a special occasion (out at a restaurant? a bbq?)...Most educated individuals understand how unhealthy soda is. I would argue the same for juice. Then again, none of my friends are obese.

My point is, you are not doing your family any favors by serving soda. It is tantamount to poison. Get that crap out of your house. Stock water and no-cal/no sugar-added flavored seltzer. BTW, doesn't anyone enjoy wine or a cocktail?

Point is, when I entertain I like my guests to have some luxury items that are not every day item (for some it is soda, Perrier, nice wines etc). I would never just serve water. I try to have whatever someone could possibly ask for.

Arrival: get a "fancy" pitcher, fill it with water and a few lemon wedges; welcome everyone to drink as much as they like. Refill as needed.

Lunch: get organic chicken cheap from Costco and bake with some Trader Joes veggie side for lunch - put tray on the counter and offer plates. Watermelon for desert.

Dinner: takeout.

You can have a nuts and dried fruit tray to feel like a better host.

This.

If they are hungry in between meals, they can take a piece of fresh fruit from the breakfast bar in the kitchen, and go outdoors to eat it in the fresh air.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even buy soda?

Pretty normal thing to have on hand for young adult guests.

I have two college age kids and constant flow of their friends through my house. I haven’t seen a soft drink in my house all summer.

You aren't supposed to be seeing it, you should be buying it for the guests cheapskate.

Nonsense. No one I know drinks soda. Maybe if we were in Dayton Ohio or some such...

+1 no soda or pop here. kids eat and drink fairly healthy stuff. and are athletes.

[Anonymous]

Sodas are for BBQs and pizza nights.

End of list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even buy soda?

Pretty normal thing to have on hand for young adult guests.

I have two college age kids and constant flow of their friends through my house. I haven’t seen a soft drink in my house all summer.

You aren't supposed to be seeing it, you should be buying it for the guests cheapskate.

Nonsense. No one I know drinks soda. Maybe if we were in Dayton Ohio or some such...

What's your beef with Dayton?

good question.

they prob call it Pop like they do in Michigan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why people are assuming that people in their 20's-30's need soda in the house. I am 33 and none of my friends, family, or in-laws of any age drink regular soda. We did not drink it in our early 20's either. Most of us drink water or coffee. We occasionally indulge in club soda, flavored seltzer, and perhaps ONE diet soda on a special occasion (out at a restaurant? a bbq?)...Most educated individuals understand how unhealthy soda is. I would argue the same for juice. Then again, none of my friends are obese.

My point is, you are not doing your family any favors by serving soda. It is tantamount to poison. Get that crap out of your house. Stock water and no-cal/no sugar-added flavored seltzer. BTW, doesn't anyone enjoy wine or a cocktail?

Point is, when I entertain I like my guests to have some luxury items that are not every day item (for some it is soda, Perrier, nice wines etc). I would never just serve water. I try to have whatever someone could possibly ask for.

Arrival: get a "fancy" pitcher, fill it with water and a few lemon wedges; welcome everyone to drink as much as they like. Refill as needed.

Lunch: get organic chicken cheap from Costco and bake with some Trader Joes veggie side for lunch - put tray on the counter and offer plates. Watermelon for desert.

Dinner: takeout.

You can have a nuts and dried fruit tray to feel like a better host.

This.

If they are hungry in between meals, they can take a piece of fresh fruit from the breakfast bar in the kitchen, and go outdoors to eat it in the fresh air.

LMAO

[Anonymous]

These are all adults. Why are you shopping and hosting?

[Anonymous]

If they come at say, 10am and leave at 10pm, you have a few options. Make a big brunch with an egg casserole and bagels and fruit and a ton of bacon. Then don't worry about food for a few hours. Around 3pm put out snack type stuff. Around 7pm, serve dinner.

Pasta and casseroles are your friends. If you want help, ask the adults cousins to bring some food (dessert, snacks, apps, drinks, whatever).

Soda could honestly not be any cheaper, so who cares about that. Buy 2 liters if you really think this is a thing. If they were drinking all your beer that'd be another thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even buy soda?

Pretty normal thing to have on hand for young adult guests.

Not six gallons of it.

It lasts a while. So, I stock up when it's on sale. Many people do.

We're not talking about you, toots.

According to OP, six gallons last about 12 hours. I don't consider that "a while."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:These are all adults. Why are you shopping and hosting?

Exactly. They're coming to see your adult children, right? So your adult children can host them.

Also, I can't believe your family comes to visit this often, is aware of how much they eat, and yet they don't bring any food or drinks with them. These kids are all rude and taking advantage of you.

[Anonymous]

I think its nice that the adult cousins are friends.

I think its fine that OP wants to "treat" them when they are in her house (I agree she has minimal obligations as cousins are visiting their adult cousins).

That much soda and chips though?

Chicken and veggie lunch, fruits and nuts and water/lemonade available in between, takeout for dinner sounds plenty hospitable.

If they want to be ordering pizzas and sodas - they can...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even buy soda?

Pretty normal thing to have on hand for young adult guests.

Not six gallons of it.

It lasts a while. So, I stock up when it's on sale. Many people do.

We're not talking about you, toots.

According to OP, six gallons last about 12 hours. I don't consider that "a while."

Hey babe, you argued that is was not normal to have six gallons on hand. I argued that for many people it is. Especially people who entertain a lot. Thy for playing sweetie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you even buy soda?

Pretty normal thing to have on hand for young adult guests.

I have two college age kids and constant flow of their friends through my house. I haven’t seen a soft drink in my house all summer.

You aren't supposed to be seeing it, you should be buying it for the guests cheapskate.

Nonsense. No one I know drinks soda. Maybe if we were in Dayton Ohio or some such...

Oh the horrors! I saw soda in Bethesda just the other day!

[Anonymous]

All of these people are adults. Why don't they handle the food themselves if it bugs you?

[Anonymous]

I think it is great the cousins get together but the older cousins are grown ass people who you should not be afraid to tell them that they need to contribute sodas or chips or something.
Hey guys when you come next week, we are going to grill.
Can you bring soda , chips .
They are grown. They should know better than to continually come to somebody’s house without bringing something that’s just rude

[Anonymous]

Offer 6 hours, one meal, chips and several large bottles or pitchers of drinks. You don’t need to kill yourself with two meals, fruit trays, dessert and endless beverages.