How do you get everyone to lend a hand

[lifeinagoldfishbowl]

We are hosting xmas again this year.

There will be 6 adults and 3 teens 14,17,19

We are aware one member of the family won't pull their weight so wondered what are your strategies in making everyone pull their weight.

I was thinking of asking each couple to do a course ie starter/main/pudding then maybe issuing everyone with a chore - otherwise everyone will be running around helping including the teens apart from a select member of the family.

So how do you delegate?

Tell everyone what you want them to do. Be bossy.

Thanks Choufleur :) It's just a pain that where as 6/7 of the 8 will just automatically help out that this person will sit about acting dumb and not even think to help [hangry]

Let it go.

6 or 7 helping is more than enough people in a kitchen.

Can you The Person something in the area in which they'll be sitting? Chief battery changer, or some such task?

Write the chores out, attach each in a sealed envelope to a small gift, and have a luck dip/raffle to see who gets to do what? Even your non participant probably wouldn't refuse to take part, but can then hardly not carry out their task when it's obvious to everyone else that it's their responsibility.

Marymotherofcheese - why should I let it go? It isn't just about having 7 people in the kitchen - but generally helping out in good cheer on the day.

It was this persons turn to host christmas yet she couldn't so we're at ours, she doesn't set/clear the table, serve/wash up, boil the kettle etc. Just gets a free ride whilst everyone else deals with making sure the day runs smoothly.

i only ever have 2 adults besides myself- dsis and dbro. brother will keep the kids occupied and make drinks for me when requested. sister will generally hover about until i give her a job to do then will get on with it. last year it was stuffing the goose with apples and lemons, basting potatoes, stirring veg etc. they are both very good at knowing what i need help with, and when to stay out of the way

I may be smoking a joint here but really, good cheer on Christmas Day isn't about project maangement and everyone with a task.

There are only so many things you can change.

(I'm not smoking a joint but you get my drift...)

i'd recommend delegating courses - it's worked well for us in the past...

Like the lucky dip Lunar

Tell them if they don't help they won't get fed.

Deaddei

That would get them peeling spouts like billy-o.

If everyone else chips in without having to be told, then don't penalise them.
Just dorectly, and without fuss, meaningful looks of fanfare ask her to do something specific.
What could she be doing? Can you just say "I'll wash you dry" or something? Or put her in charge of drinks or something. Ask directly and publicly, and don't make it look as if its a big deal, or different to how you are treating everyone else.

Sorry - should proof read - that says "just ask directly"