Reply to S/O: 'Civilized' Holiday How-To

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I think I love you.

My MIL waits to set the table (as in, finding plates/silverware/napkins) until the food is ready.  It drives me crazy because it's SUCH AN EASY THING to do early.  Then she's always stressed.  She thinks I'm nuts that when I come in, I'll look at the table and offer to set it.  She always pushes me off saying "oh we're not eating until 3".  Siggghhh.  Wine me!

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I think this is pertinent to the discussion (and not another thread completely?):  [b]Do you also eat right away, or make your guests wait.[/b]  Last year, the guests waited 2+ hours, and that was just too much for me.  I think anything under 30 minutes is fine, but we came from a family where the food was a HUGE part of the celebration (along with talking and laughing  - never at another's expense).  The IL's serve maybe carrots, then wait up to two hours, don't really prepare much ahead of time, and basically (to me) act like they are not up for it.  Any laughing tends to be at other's expense (perhaps another thread entirely). This just isn't my idea of a party.  I do notice (over the years) that those who have married in tend to drink substantially (probably before arrival) - so there is that :)  Is there any way to hurry things along?  We have started to eat before we arrive?[/quote]

This is an interesting question. We usually have stay-a-few-days guests, so many people are already there from the morning on. 
If we were eating at, say, 3, we'd probably have people arrive at 1:30/2. I always put out substantial appetizers within 20 minutes of people arriving to keep them happy and--more importantly--to keep them *out of my kitchen.* (I know, I know, antisocial...but I don't "perform" well in the kitchen with an audience!) I think it needs to be fairly substantial: a hot dip, nuts, cheese and crackers. Enough to keep them from starving for an hour or two. I do always make it clear that "dinner will be served at 3" so that if they want to arrive at 2:45 and not have long to wait, that's fine![/quote]

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