Do you have a glass of wine before guests arrive?

[mizzchilds]

Having guests come over for Sunday lunch. I’ll do most of the cooking. I get into a right flap so need something to help me relax.

Is it normal to have a tipple before guests arrive?

I don't. Why invite people if it makes you so anxious just go out for dinner?

I do but not because I'm anxious. Because I like to!

Yes, of course some people do and some people don't. Why do you have to ask?

It is not normal to drink at lunchtime at all

Errrr? We must mix in very different circles!

It's fine if you're having guests round for lunch. Solo Tesco meal deal on your lunch break? Maybe not!

Do you often need a drink to help you relax?

Don't be so silly. Wine with lunch is very normal in a lot of countries!

Not if it’s lunchtime, it would make me too zonked to continue the prep, and I prefer not to drink much at all during the day.

But we’re all different .

If you don’t want to drink early, just leave yourself loads of time, make a list and work plan (Bake off and Masterchef participants all do this, the editing doesn’t feature it but you get glimpses).

I hope you have a lovely lunch

It's fine OP but undoubtedly people are going to come and tell you you are an alcoholic.

I think if you're using alcohol to help with anxiety you should probably discuss with a healthcare professional

Completely normal to have a glass while you’re cooking for a big meal like that. Fine to drink at lunchtime. Maybe a bit worrying if you feel you need a drink to relax though.

There’s always one. You’ll be told you’ve got a drink problem next. Anything other than a small sherry at Christmas and you’ll be marched off to AA.

Personally don’t drink before people arrive as I find I drink more when people are there so if I start early I’ll end up having too much.

I do yes but not really out of anxiousness I just enjoy a drink while I cook, I thought everyone did 😆🤣

Hell yeah. I always only invited guests to lunch at 2pm or later so I'll have time for a couple before they get here!

I think it's fine, but I would have a think about what you can do so the wine is a nice to have instead of required to prevent flapping.

When I have people over for dinner, then if it's complicated or I am worried I'll forget something, I have a list of everything I'm making. I then work out what time I want to serve dinner, and if I want the meat to rest therefore what time I need to get it out. I work backwards from when I'm planning to serve up and make a timetable so I know exactly what time to put things in and get them out - leaving a little margin for things not quite being done on time.

I also generally make sure I do anything cold in advance and everything like laying the table in plenty of time. The aim is for things to go in the oven and then for me to crack open a bottle of wine while I ignore them for the final 30 minutes as guests arrive and I get them a drink etc.

It's fine, but does it actually help with your anxiety?

I wouldn't, but then I probably wouldn't drink at a lunchtime meal I was cooking unless it was Christmas!

Depends on the guest!

I would pour myself a large glass of wine for no other reason than because I want a nice glass whilst cooking! Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

Are you mad? Of course it’s normal to drink at lunchtime. When you go to a restaurant for lunch, you must have noticed that you’re not surrounded by people drinking orange squash with their three-course meal? Why do you think pubs open at 11am?

OP, it’s perfectly fine to have a glass of wine before people arrive, if you want to. My only caveat would be to remember that if you’re one drink further in than your guests, so pace yourself accordingly and bear that in mind when you’re topping up everyone else’s glasses!

In real life, prepping a Sunday lunch with a glass of wine is perfectly fine. In NetMums world you will be told you have a drink problem by a lot of uptight and very judgmental people.
If I were you I just wouldn't ask and open the wine!

I cant think of anything worse, guests or wine that early

Don't be ridiculous

I think you’ve got some proper tea tottalers responding. Someone even said a solitary glass of wine would impact them too much. Another that drinking at lunch time isn’t normal

to be honest,I do and I don’t, depends on my mood, but I don’t to help me relax., just if I fancy it or not.

theres no harm, and no norm, but a glass of wine with lunch is very common.