Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

Same. Our Christmas parties used to cost us thousands of dollars and they were tons of work. People still ask us if we’re hosting and I want to say: “Why don’t you??”

Maybe you should host, OP, instead of waiting for an invitation.

I don't get this. We host a big party and every year I get enough wine to last through the year. We spend about $500 on mix drinks and the bare minimum of basic food. People always bring extra food and drinks. I do reach out to good friends and ask them to bring things sometimes.

I do not have 500 dollars to spare this year and probably others are in the same boat. Things were different in years past. Booze is the big expense and I am not throwing a byob party.

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

Or, a bunch of people say they’ll come, so you plan for that number of people, and then texts start an HOUR before the party that they can’t make it and you overbought . So annoying.

Anonymous wrote:When are you hosting yours?

Exactlyyyyy. I got so tired of being the one who hosted every event and finally stopped. YOU throw the party this year OP.

Anonymous wrote:Who brings food to a party? That is so odd to me.

They don't unless asked by the hostess. But a hostess gift of a bottle of wine or flowers is fine

The folks in our social circles have cut down the number of invites - just including the people we really like.

Anonymous wrote:Who brings food to a party? That is so odd to me.

Those who are invited by a poor host who requested contributions.

Who brings food to a party? That is so odd to me.

People are making them more exclusive this year.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

Same. Our Christmas parties used to cost us thousands of dollars and they were tons of work. People still ask us if we’re hosting and I want to say: “Why don’t you??”

Maybe you should host, OP, instead of waiting for an invitation.

I don't get this. We host a big party and every year I get enough wine to last through the year. We spend about $500 on mix drinks and the bare minimum of basic food. People always bring extra food and drinks. I do reach out to good friends and ask them to bring things sometimes.

Agreed. We throw a party every year (not a Christmas party) for 200+ attendees. We always have so much alcohol left.

Even with lots of people bringing food, that’s where the expense usually is. Alcohol and desserts are the low effort gifts. We’ve taken to catering a few main dishes.

To me, the biggest pain is the setup (all of the seating) and the cleanup (there are lots of kids. That’s like a day of work each.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

Same. Our Christmas parties used to cost us thousands of dollars and they were tons of work. People still ask us if we’re hosting and I want to say: “Why don’t you??”

Maybe you should host, OP, instead of waiting for an invitation.

I don't get this. We host a big party and every year I get enough wine to last through the year. We spend about $500 on mix drinks and the bare minimum of basic food. People always bring extra food and drinks. I do reach out to good friends and ask them to bring things sometimes.

Anonymous wrote:I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

Same. Our Christmas parties used to cost us thousands of dollars and they were tons of work. People still ask us if we’re hosting and I want to say: “Why don’t you??”

Maybe you should host, OP, instead of waiting for an invitation.

I used to have a party every year, and it is so much work and so expensive. So many people don't even show up with a bottle of wine, so providing drinks to 70 people for 5 hours is a lot. I have a smaller New Years Day open house now. Less alcohol and more relaxed.

We haven’t either.
Last year we were invited to one. I don’t think they’re doing it this year.
I’m doing Christmassy stuff with friends here and there though, it’s all good.

When are you hosting yours?

We were not invited to single Christmas party this year. Our "usual" ones no longer happen but I am wondering iff we did sonethubg or if they are just not back like these once were.