December 22: It's Show Time!
Hunkering down to start my holiday cooking marathon. My list is rather ambitious, which is no surprise. Then I have to go and throw something random into the mix – like chicken pot pie for lunch today for no reason other than I’m hungry for chicken pot pie. I cooked the filling last night, and will reheat and give them a go in my pie maker. I think they will turn out great.
I have come to the conclusion that I am a party-giver, not a party-goer. It’s not that I’m anti-social, I’m just more comfortable hosting and feeding a crowd than hanging around. After all, I’m not much on sitting still.
But there is nothing party-givers love more than those who love to go to parties. After all, it wouldn’t be much of a party if there were no guests!
Today I’m giving away a copy of Ina Garten’s latest cookbook, Make it Ahead. To throw your hat into the ring, you just need to answer one little question:
Are you a party-giver or a party-goer? Or, more simply put – Hostess or Guest?
If you’d like to throw in a hostess (or guest) tip, feel free to share.
I have one simple hostess tip for you that I picked up from my friend Tiffany the Tipsy Artist. It was so simple yet smart, and I could have kicked myself for not thinking of it earlier.
Boxed wine is great for parties, however wine in a box doesn’t exactly look chic. To class up your look put the wine in glass carafes, refilling as necessary. I found great carafes at the restaurant supply for less than $6 a piece! This is where you want to go for wine glasses too. You can buy an entire case for what a set of decent ones will cost at a kitchen/department store. Plus they are very durable and dishwasher safe.
If I look a bit tired today, keep in mind that amid all this madness school is out and Mason had a friend stay over last night. I kept telling them that it isn’t a slumber party unless there’s some slumbering going on but they just looked at me like I was some old crazy woman. And now I’m a very tired, old, crazy woman now verging on cranky!
pindy4176
22.12.2015 at 08:20My natural state is “guest.” I’ve thrown exactly two big parties in my adult life, and they were nerve-wracking for me. I enjoy having people over, and I’m a gracious hostess — you leave hungry, you have no one to blame but yourself! — but when something of a “real” party, I think with my nerves instead of my brain. I hostess at work events just fine; and whether hostess or guest, I can ramp my introverted self up to genuinely enjoy a big group of people, even if they’re people I don’t already know. So that nervousness must be some leftover from my youth.
P.S. When Caleb has friends over, I simply say they’re spending the night. I learned long ago that, like frat boys or vampires, there will be no slumbering for them until the sun is up!
jwoods
22.12.2015 at 09:03I’m definitely a hostess and “party giver”. I’m more reserved when it comes to meeting a lot of people, so hosting is far more enjoyable than to go a party with persons I don’t know. I put my heart and soul into hosting, as I feel it is a gift I can give to my guests.
jlbeene83
22.12.2015 at 09:16I’m a hostess by nature but have yet to throw any parties!
SarahB
22.12.2015 at 11:16I would love to be the hostess but with our space restrictions I have been relegated to guest. I make a point of bringing delicious, memorable food though!
keely
23.12.2015 at 08:12Congratulations! You’re the winner, and can pick up your cookbook next time you’re in.
SarahB
23.12.2015 at 21:32Wow! Thank you! I really love her recipes. Looking forward to cracking the spine and trying something new with the family!
mschoir01
22.12.2015 at 14:32I am happier as a party giver, but am no decorator or housekeeper, therefore, my guests are usually family who know my lifestyle, which includes grandchildren and dogs…but no one goes away hungry. This Christmas it’s 4 kinds of cookies, aunt Bill’s, fudge, chocolate/peanut butter fudge, divinity, and candied orange peel. And I’m not done yet.
I am a party goer if I can bring the knitting along…not always possible, but I’m hoping for the T shirt that reads, “If I can’t take my yarn, I’m not going!”
JudySmith
22.12.2015 at 14:54I think I am mostly a giver of parties but by only a very slight margin, I really attending them too.
Heidi
22.12.2015 at 16:29I’m more of a party giver. Mostly, because I like being home where I know where everything is and of course I can knit. I think I’d like the shirt too “If I can’t take my yarn, I’m not going!” Have to add, I have a few OCD issues and function best at home. I have hosted Thanksgiving every year for the past 21 years for around 20+ people. My hint is to bake the turkey several days ahead, debone it, and then add a cup of water and freeze in Pyrex. Night before take it out of freezer, put in frig, then the next morning when the dressing goes in at 350 degrees to bake so does the turkey. I also freeze all the broth, which I use to make the gravy. I make my gravy about 9:30 in the morning on Thanksgiving and put it in a crock pot to keep hot.
rczb
22.12.2015 at 18:24I’m a guest instead of a hostess, in large part because I crochet (and do other fun things) instead of cleaning house. I’ve enjoyed being a hostess in the past. Tip: warn guests not to put food down where the dog(s) can reach it!
tamaravernon
22.12.2015 at 19:44I can go either way. I prefer to be a guest because I sometimes have elaborate plans and get very stressed before the guests arrive when I throw a party. (I adopted a new mantra for throwing parties….just because I CAN do something doesn’t mean I HAVE to…unless I just want to….)
Yarntramp
22.12.2015 at 20:23I would have to say I’m a party-goer! December has been so fun with all the Christmas Parties. I love your parties Keely & try not to miss them. Being that they are always as fabulous as you! I am probably going to need a good detox after the holidays. You could throw a detox party!! You know I am always here if you need a taster.