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Side benefits of having people over for dinner

39 replies

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 21:16

We had people over at the weekend. It was good fun, wine was consumed and we've fulfilled our hosting obligation for a while. However there were a few other benefits I noticed that, despite the hangover, have made me happy today. Firstly the house got a really good clean and we also did some niggly jobs we never normally get round to like touching up some paintwork, fixing a couple of broken things, hanging some pictures that had been leaning against the wall etc. Secondly our guests brought us some lovely gifts and flowers and wine . Lastly I always make way too much food and despite being pissed I put it all in the fridge at the end of the night and today I've frozen eight portions of casserole which means quite a few nights where I don't have to cook after work. I don't really know what the point of this post is other than to say that I'll probably entertain more often as if nothing else it gets all the jobs around the house done that we normally wouldn't be arsed doing.

OP posts:
DentalWorries · 22/11/2021 21:20

I love hosting but at the end of the night my favourite thing has to be the fact that I can just hop into bed while everyone else has to order taxis or drive home.

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 21:23

@DentalWorries another good point I hadn't considered!

OP posts:
TokyoSushi · 22/11/2021 21:24

I completely agree with you OP!

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 22/11/2021 21:27

Not quite the same as hosting a couple for dinner but when I was a young rip I was the only one among all my friends to have my own house so every weekend everyone piled into my house to get pissed. They slept where they fell while I went to my bed. I would wake up in the morning, a few of them would have gone to the shop for breakfast supplies, and the rest would be cleaning up the downstairs, taking all the empty bottles out and washing all the dishes getting everything ready for the fry up someone would be making for us all. It was great. I wasn’t allowed to do anything because I had provided the accommodation.

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 21:31

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry that sounds like a fantastic arrangement - I bet you were gutted when they got their own places!

OP posts:
sinkorsplash · 22/11/2021 21:32

Absolutely this.
We love hosting people and being social.
But also - the extra stuff is a lovely perk.
it's also the only time we clean the house 'properly'

Talipesmum · 22/11/2021 21:33

Absolutely this. I did such a good tidy before visitors the other weekend. It’s the only way I can get motivated to sort out all the piles of stuff!

MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 22/11/2021 21:34

Yes I really miss those days. I had a baby and we all drifted apart/moved away/ went to uni etc. It was mostly boys and it used to amuse me seeing them all being so conscientious and taking such pride in their jobs of cleaning and cooking. I wonder if they all stayed like that! Grin

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 21:37

We even repainted the radiator in the sitting room. It only took 15 minutes to do and looks so much better but we'd have never got round to it under any other circumstances....

OP posts:
CommanderBurnham · 22/11/2021 21:40

Yes. I love it. It's hard work but great afterwards. Sparkling house, flowers, leftovers. As long as you plan it well, it can be worthwhile, and if course the company is the most important thing. Doing it for judgy in laws is a different story.

TokyoSushi · 22/11/2021 22:00

Oh yes, it very much depends who it is, friends - great, some family, less so... Grin

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 22:04

Having the in laws over is a different ball game plus they always turn up empty handed!

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givethatbabyaname · 22/11/2021 22:05

It’s even better when you do a potluck style dinner Grin

Huffthepuff · 22/11/2021 22:08

This is a great way to look at things! We always say that although it's stressful having my family to stay, it's the only time the house gets a properly good clean Grin
We've got a new kitchen being fitted next week so after that I'm going to test out your theory and invite people over for dinner!

inflatableseahorses · 22/11/2021 22:10

It's something I really noticed during lockdown. No one coming over meant we never had a really good clean/sort out/spruce up. I'm now back to making sure we have people over at least on e a month!

PeacheyPeach · 22/11/2021 22:15

😂 I always thought this was just me who thought this! I love the next day how clean and tidy the house feels!! I always tidy up the kitchen before I go to bed so I don't have to come down to a mess and the house will have had a good tidy in preparation for the guests!
If my in-laws are coming over that's when I get all the jobs done!!

ScrollingLeaves · 22/11/2021 22:17

Agree. It is the best way to get some clearing up done.

ilovelamp2 · 22/11/2021 22:23

Agree with all of this! Tipsy tidying as I call it is way better than doing it when hungover .... Plus, I love it when everyone's gone/off to bed and I put a few songs on Alexa that I really like, whizz round tidying up last few bits then sit with one last glass of wine, on my own and give myself a pat on the back for a marvellous evening!!

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 22:24

It's a bit like having your house up for sale where you live in this fragrant, clutter free house filled with flowers and clean paintwork. It never lasts long but it's great for a few days.

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yikerspipers · 22/11/2021 22:26

Oh wow! Absolutely agree. I was basking in all that yesterday.

whyohwhyohwhyohwhywhy · 22/11/2021 22:26

Yes, and we almost always end up having sex because we transform into witty and attractive people just for one night

PeacheyPeach · 22/11/2021 22:34

If I'm really crazy sometimes I make myself a sandwich and have a glass of wine in bed and marvel how people will still be traveling home and I'm nice and warm in bed!!

Turquoiseandgold · 22/11/2021 22:36

The best bit is definitely opening up the gift bags whilst finishing off the wine and leftover bowls of nibbles.

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lunarlandscape · 22/11/2021 22:39

@MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry

Not quite the same as hosting a couple for dinner but when I was a young rip I was the only one among all my friends to have my own house so every weekend everyone piled into my house to get pissed. They slept where they fell while I went to my bed. I would wake up in the morning, a few of them would have gone to the shop for breakfast supplies, and the rest would be cleaning up the downstairs, taking all the empty bottles out and washing all the dishes getting everything ready for the fry up someone would be making for us all. It was great. I wasn’t allowed to do anything because I had provided the accommodation.
You had good friends! That sounds lovely.
MaryAndGerryLivingInDerry · 22/11/2021 22:42

They were a great bunch of people.