How often do you entertain?

[Jenise]

Formally or casually, I don't care, but I don't mean when your kid's best friends joins the family for dinner. This question's reserved for when you actually invite a friend (or family member) to dinner.

Me, I entertain fairly often and I'm sure it's obvious from my posts, since I'm fairly open about my life. I answered at least once a week and it's actually more like twice. But others rarely mention entertaining at home, and for those of you who don't I'm curious about why not.

Well, I answered once a month, but it's really in between once and several. Usually more like 2 or 3, but it depends a LOT on my work life. There are some months I barely even feed myself , and other times when I have someone over at least once a week.

And I do a lot of entertaining at the homes of friends and clients, but that's not the same as having people in my space.

Usually 2-3 times per month during late fall through early spring when the weather cools. Less in summer (like now)…then maybe once every couple of months

Richard

We got in the habit of entertaining in restaurants during my working days -- there was a great deal of stress for Janet, who has always been uncomfortable hiring folks to cook or clean in her house. So the great burden of entertaining fell on her, and she didn't have much fun as a result.

As my cooking skills have improved, we find folks suggesting that they drop by, but we still prefer entertaining at restaurants and returning home to continue the evening.

Three years ago I would have answered twice a year -- Christmas and Easter -- but looking back over my wine diary, it's moved up to one or two times a month.

We still entertain in NYC restaurants more than at home, long formed habit and the fact that many of our friends visit New York City and like enjoying what it has on offer.

I haven't improved my cooking well enough to compete with the pros, it appears.


Regards, Bob

I voted "Rarely"...I noticed that "Never" wasn't even an option...LOL!

Pre-kids I used to do a lot of entertaining...(well, a lot for a 30 yr old). But it became significantly less after my first child, and almost non-exsistant after my son was born and we found out he was allergic to so many foods.

At this point I usually host one adult party a yr (my birthday) and it is usually a karaoke or murder mystery, but I always do a nice dinner party along with it. I also have 2 bday parties for my children which are small, but I do a lot of cooking of not-so-appetizing "hypo-allergenic" food that is more challenging than any seven course dinner party I have ever put together. I will usually entertain a few friends along the way, as well as family or friends coming from overseas.

I also do a lot of "High Teas" for my hubby's family and a few of our mutual British friends when they come to visit us.

I am really looking forward to the days when I can entertain on a regular basis again!

[Robin Garr]

Rarely here, too. Probably because of one of my hats involving the restaurant business, it just seems more natural and convenient for me for us to entertain by meeting friends, guests or clients at an appropriate restaurant. Plus, when you're a known wine geek, your guests are always terrified to bring wine.

I answered once a week, but I'm not certain what constitutes entertaining. I cook family dinner every Sunday. Sometimes its quite sophisticated and experimental (more for others than myself), other times it's lasagna, salad and pesto garlic bread with copious amounts of wine (usually one or two bottles of the good homemade stuff). I can always count on family, and the invitation is open to all who wants to come for a home cooked meal. Everyone who knows me, knows this! Sometimes we have as few as 3 people show up -- other times we have as many as 12. We never know who is going to show up, but we can always guarantee a cast of characters. Over the years people will show up with a few ingredients and will help make something out of this. Others will stay late and fill the dishwasher taking home any leftovers. Sometimes it's fun. Sometimes it's more than I bargained for and I dread it. But, come 5:00p something is cooking -- and more often than not, it's a pretty damned good time!

and the invitation is open to all who wants to come for a home cooked meal.

Jo Ann, what was your street address again? Lasagna, salad, and pesto garlic bread sound pretty darn good to me!!

Jo Ann, If we cooked a family dinner, we'd have to pull out a craft table to eat it on! 4 years ago we turned the dining room into our computer room, and sold the dinner table and chairs on ebay. I guess that shows where our priorities are!

It's an adventure the time or two each year when we host a holiday gathering, just trying to find seats for everyone.

My answer to the poll assumed that "entertaining" included my remote kitchen (i.e., the kitchen at The Other Stupid's place). We entertain there about once a week, but I hardly ever do at home.

Formally or casually, I don't care, but I don't mean when your kid's best friends joins the family for dinner. This question's reserved for when you actually invite a friend (or family member) to dinner.

Me, I entertain fairly often and I'm sure it's obvious from my posts, since I'm fairly open about my life. I answered at least once a week and it's actually more like twice. But others rarely mention entertaining at home, and for those of you who don't I'm curious about why not.

Well, I clearly don't belong in this thread. When one "entertains" several hundred people every night for decades, well, we are clearly talking about something else here.

That, chef, is precisely why we pay no attention when our guests say,"You guys are great! You oughtta open a restaurant!"

What really is meant by entertaining? I usually have friends over 2-3 times a week, sometimes for a more serious dinner with wines and foods thought out in advance, sometimes (usually with the same small group of people) it's just cheeses or an improvised meal from what I happen to have around. Can this sort of gatherings be called entertaining?

-O-

Like Cynthia, it depends totally on the work schedule. My week hours are very unpredictable and I have only two weekends in five when I am totally free. These are the weekends for entertaining-usually dinners.
Two weeks ago I had the entire week off and had 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
Nothing better than the luxury of time.

Does having dinner daily with my sock puppets and Hummel figurines count?

Actually, between Zari and me, we have people in at least once a week ... somewhere. She loves to entertain, i.e. the whole set the table right thing etc. I just like to have unsuspecting victims to test new recipes on. I guess most folks would practice and perfect. Me, I just concoct and serve. (Uh, you wouldn't want me working anywhere near GMO's for this reason.) Just this past weekend I whipped up a poppy seed strudel from scratch, pretty much sans recipe, and forced total strangers to consume it! They liked it and I scarfed down an 18-incher myself for breakfast the next day.

Eatin' good stuff alone jes' ain't no fun!!!

Several times a month, but it's usually pretty casual. My new apartment is really small, so three people max is about all that will fit comfortably. Sometimes I'll cook something very basic and easy (can you say culinarily challenged?), or pick something up already prepared from Whole Paycheck, or sometimes we'll order in (there's a Thai restaurant nearby that delivers).

But there is always wine.

Hi Jenise,

I just dropped by for a quick look at the forum and since I haven't spoken up for a while (too busy with travel and having fun!) I thought I'd chime in. As you know, we entertain a great deal. Too bad there wasn't another choice--more than twice a week--since we typically have dinner guests at least twice a week and often three times, if you count people who join us for a meal on the boat or on the dock. Doesn't matter if it's summer, fall, winter or spring, the pattern seems to be the same: Family dinner for the kids and their SO's on Tuesday night, which can be adventurous cooking or just homestyle comfort food, My parents on another night, and other friends on yet another night. We are also invited very frequently. Hardly a week goes without someone inviting us for a meal. That makes me happy--I feel like I've chosen my friends well since we share a love of cooking and sharing good food and wine.
Ines

When in California (Nov-May) we entertain very frequently. We have a nice social circle and the whole gang takes turns having people over for everything from lavish catered dinner parties to casual barbecues. We do one nice catered event in our home during the season, and then have two to three more formal type dinner parties where I do the cooking, and a barbecue or two where we invite loads of people and my husband and I both cook. We also enjoy having one or two other couples over for dinner "in the kitchen" once or twice a month. I love doing it most of the time--the menu planning, the serving dishes, setting the table, etc--but must admit there are times when we get so tired preparing, we want to set the food outside with a sign that says "Take some food and go home. We don't feel like seeing anyone this evening." I know that's terrible, but sometimes I just feel like I took on too much!

We are new to our neighborhood in NC, and our house is a bit "unfinished" so we're not quite ready for true entertaining here. Probably by next summer. We have had quite a bit of family come visit though, so the kitchen has gotten quite a bit of use!

I answered once a month which seems to be the case the last couple of years. The reduction in entertaining is due to my wife working longer hours and the addition of two puppies to the household. The puppies were obtained a year apart. My wife needs most of the weekend to relax and recover from the week. In the case of the puppies, they have disrupted the household to a large extent. I have had to pack a lot of stuff away, switched rugs and furniture, and given up on the back yard. Hopefully this next year we can get back into the swing of things. Three years ago I kept track of the guest meals I made between Memorial days. The final number was over 180.

One effect of this slowdown in entertaining has been the growth in wine inventory. The floor of the wine cellar is covered with cases and all the racking is full.

...One effect of this slowdown in entertaining has been the growth in wine inventory. The floor of the wine cellar is covered with cases and all the racking is full.

I could help you with that.

[Jenise]

Hi Jenise,

I just dropped by for a quick look at the forum and since I haven't spoken up for a while (too busy with travel and having fun!) I thought I'd chime in. As you know, we entertain a great deal. Too bad there wasn't another choice--more than twice a week--since we typically have dinner guests at least twice a week and often three times, if you count people who join us for a meal on the boat or on the dock. Doesn't matter if it's summer, fall, winter or spring, the pattern seems to be the same: Family dinner for the kids and their SO's on Tuesday night, which can be adventurous cooking or just homestyle comfort food, My parents on another night, and other friends on yet another night. We are also invited very frequently. Hardly a week goes without someone inviting us for a meal. That makes me happy--I feel like I've chosen my friends well since we share a love of cooking and sharing good food and wine.
Ines

Ines, you are indeed a lucky woman, and so is anyone lucky enough to be chosen by you as a friend--you're a GREAT hostess. Your food's superb, your cellar's bottomless and you make it all look dead easy.

Hardly a week goes without someone inviting us for a meal. That makes me happy

It would me, too. Strangely, I don't have that many friends who entertain. But we know more here than we did in Huntington Beach, and for that I'm grateful.

We need to have a yap about wines, etc. And I need to get down there and inspect your finished cellar space!

I would entertain once a week ...if Gary were more interested...I love cooking for people, I love having a house full of people...oh, right, we moved, too, and we don't even know enough people to fill the house.

I just love making a nice evening for people...Gary is just that social, though...

I also love impromptu...We did do that Sat. night--6 pm on the phone, people here by 7.30---just 7 people, but it was nice...

b

[Jenise]

Barb, love impromptus, good for you! Maybe it's easier to spring those on your antisocial hubby, too, since he doesn't have time to come up with objections.

Ha! Good point, Jenise....Here's to future impromptus.

b