The magic of hosting is that judgemental dweebs take themselves out of the equation with the airs they put on.

I’ll have a Flaming Rum Punch!!

Anonymous wrote:It's common and middle class but if that's your niche or budget go for it.
If you have more money get catering takeout from somewhere. Even Whole Foods. Balduccis is better.

Definitely not! Both are terrible. I broke my arm one year and we got catering from Balducci’s. It was horrible. Whole Foods is meh.

You may also want to rethink your friends if they are judging your food.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all recognize the Costco food. If that's what's offered I probably won't eat much and will just eat when I get home. It's just not good. It's cheap, easy, and feeds a crowd, but it's nothing to look forward to.

+ 1

I’ll pass on the pinwheel sandwich tray.

The shrimp cocktail, croissant sandwich, clamshell of cookies, fruit platter. It's so familiar.

I’ve never seen any of these things, so I’d be happy to come by, OP. Have no idea how everyone in this thread is so familiar with these Costco items if they never serve them or eat them.

Because we have eyes and can see them? It’s not that hard if you go to a lot of gatherings and see the same things. Or even if you shop at Costco yourself. I guess you don’t do either.

Anything is fine but I would set expectations. We host casually and frequently with other friends with kids. I'll often say "just plan to order some takeout" etc so it's clear the point is hanging out and no one is expecting some great food.

If I'm staying with someone I'm grateful for the effort they even put into having the Costco etc stuff on hand.

I simply expect food to be there.
I don't concern myself with it being catered or not.

I’d rather have Costco food that some of the homemade stuff.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We serve chipotle catering! Meets everyone’s dietary needs (our friends are mix of vegetarian, no red meat, gluten free etc.) Dh and I each make a few dishes to round out the table. The we usually have a few specialty drinks. Everyone keeps coming to our Xmas party each year (we get about 35 people) so I don’t think anyone is put off too much.

I would love to come to your party.

For Christmas Eve, we will do a mix of Costco and homemade. I need to simplify for my sanity because the holidays are stressful enough and DH’s sole contribution is to get the alcohol. He isn’t going to complain because he knows that will be the end of hosting.

I would come to yours as well! Dh always thanks me for organizing and planning everything - he knows better than to make a critique if I am the one doing the work. And if people care that much, maybe you need new friends.

Anonymous wrote:Not at all gauche — this from someone who always cooks! I love going to friends’ homes where I don’t have to worry about making the food! Costco or catered or homemade — makes no difference! I enjoy the company and the food/wine!

+1 It's so much work to host unless you have a full-time cook/housekeeper to help you--I never judge the food.

Just be sure to get the chocolate chip cookies platter and I wouldn’t mind one bit!

Anonymous wrote:We serve chipotle catering! Meets everyone’s dietary needs (our friends are mix of vegetarian, no red meat, gluten free etc.) Dh and I each make a few dishes to round out the table. The we usually have a few specialty drinks. Everyone keeps coming to our Xmas party each year (we get about 35 people) so I don’t think anyone is put off too much.

I would love to come to your party.

For Christmas Eve, we will do a mix of Costco and homemade. I need to simplify for my sanity because the holidays are stressful enough and DH’s sole contribution is to get the alcohol. He isn’t going to complain because he knows that will be the end of hosting.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We all recognize the Costco food. If that's what's offered I probably won't eat much and will just eat when I get home. It's just not good. It's cheap, easy, and feeds a crowd, but it's nothing to look forward to.

+ 1

I’ll pass on the pinwheel sandwich tray.

The shrimp cocktail, croissant sandwich, clamshell of cookies, fruit platter. It's so familiar.

I’ve never seen any of these things, so I’d be happy to come by, OP. Have no idea how everyone in this thread is so familiar with these Costco items if they never serve them or eat them.

We serve chipotle catering! Meets everyone’s dietary needs (our friends are mix of vegetarian, no red meat, gluten free etc.) Dh and I each make a few dishes to round out the table. The we usually have a few specialty drinks. Everyone keeps coming to our Xmas party each year (we get about 35 people) so I don’t think anyone is put off too much.

You can serve whatever you are comfortable with. If we like the people and enjoy the company, we show up. We know some friends don’t serve the best food, so we eat before going, but go nevertheless and don’t judge.

I expect to have fun with my friends!