Hosting post bar mitzvah brunch for 40 in small house ...

[Anonymous]

My DS’s bar mitzvah is next month, and my mother just informed me that I “should” host Sunday brunch for various out of town relatives and friends. I do agree with her sentiment (just not the guilt with which she expressed it to me ) but our budget is quite tapped by the bar mitzvah party itself so can’t do anything at a restaurant so I’d like to host a simple brunch at my house Sunday morning. I think we will have bagels etc left over from the kiddish so I really just think I’d need to put out some cut fruit and brewed coffee to supplement (which I’d probably buy at the store/Starbucks early Sun morning). The bigger issue in my mind is that there are about 40 out of town guests and we live in a typical original-layout 1700 sf colonial in CC, meaning not a lot of space and no big open concept rooms. Guests will not arrive all at once rather I picture them stopping in and out on their way out of town. Does this seem doable or just plain crazy?

[Anonymous]

It sounds completely do-able. I bet many may not even show up.

[Anonymous]

Totally doable. Just make the invite for a range of time, so that it seems like an open house (like, "stop by between 10 and noon for brunch"). Fruit and bagels sounds very reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Totally doable and pretty common. I wouldn't stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Totally doable. Just make the invite for a range of time, so that it seems like an open house (like, "stop by between 10 and noon for brunch"). Fruit and bagels sounds very reasonable.

Personally I would even call it a "light brunch" and say "stop by if you can" to let people know it is casual. Many have probably already made travel arrangements and may not be able to come.

[Anonymous]

Go to Dunkin’ Donuts and get their “box of joe” coffee —they also supply cups/lids/sugar/sweetener. Couple boxes of donut holes, then the leftover bagels and you’re good. Maybe some bottled water.

[Anonymous]

That's how it's done. The most expensive thing will be the lox for the bagels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's how it's done. The most expensive thing will be the lox for the bagels.

Yes, I would definitely at least provide lox and accompaniments for the bagels. Not just day-old bagels, fruit, and coffee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's how it's done. The most expensive thing will be the lox for the bagels.

Yes, I would definitely at least provide lox and accompaniments for the bagels. Not just day-old bagels, fruit, and coffee.

Yeah. Fresh bagels, butter, cream cheese, lox, fruit, coffee, water, Dunkin' Donuts, etc. You really need to carve out a budget for this. Some relatives may be stopping by to say goodbye and eat breakfast on their way on the road.

[Anonymous]

Op, one other thing - are all the relatives staying at the same hotel? If so, see if you can block off a room for everyone to gather. Better yet if it's at a place that provides breakfast for free (like a Hampton Inn). You may be able to get an unused conference room for folks to sit and mingle - with the hotel breakfast. We have done something like this multiple times for out of town families.

[Anonymous]

Thanks all. OP here. The part I am most concerned about is the quantity of people in my small house. Still not a big deal? I will make it nicer than day old bagels of course, but definitely will keep it simple. Good idea to check with the hotel, although I assume they will charge at least $15 pp for coffee, fruit, muffins and I can make a brunch for much less cost (although yes more stress) at my house.

[Anonymous]

I have a smaller house than you OP and am planning a “come and go” brunch from 9:30-12 the mornin after. Some may not come and I feel like for my out of town guests it’s necessary. We will just make do. However it’s is in April so I’m hoping the weather is nice enough that we can use the deck too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all. OP here. The part I am most concerned about is the quantity of people in my small house. Still not a big deal? I will make it nicer than day old bagels of course, but definitely will keep it simple. Good idea to check with the hotel, although I assume they will charge at least $15 pp for coffee, fruit, muffins and I can make a brunch for much less cost (although yes more stress) at my house.

Not a big deal