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Original poster

Dinner parties - a thing of the past? or athing of your class?

115 replies

SpeckledHen · 28/07/2009 14:30

My parents had these. TYhey were form,al affairs and my mum went to a lot of troubler. Now I only know of a couple of folk in my neighbourhood who have them. Do any of you still have them and if so what is the format? Have they largely been replaced by BBQs?Are dinner parties, dare I say it, class related?

OP posts:
LynetteScavo · 28/07/2009 18:01

I went to a dinner party 18 months ago. WE all had tiny DC's and were too tired to speak. The highlight of the conversation was whether your magnetic alphabet letters fell off the fridge door when you closed it.

SausageRocket · 28/07/2009 18:02

I couldn't join in that convo as my fridge is built in.

Ho hum. I am a suburban outcast

moondog · 28/07/2009 18:02

Ican't imagine being part of a book club without sniggering constantly.
Or getting really pissed and hlding forth in manner of over enthusiastic 3rd yeat Joint Hons. student in 1991,holding forth on Therese Raquin while everyone else rolls eyes.

{Still a wince inducing memory}

hf128219 · 28/07/2009 18:04

Unfortunatley I have to host them regularly. Usually for 12 people. Crystal, silver et al.

LynetteScavo · 28/07/2009 18:08

My parents used to have dinner parties.

My mohter did avocado & prawns as a starter every time for years.

She also did this "thing" where she took a packet of ginger snaps, and stuck them together with cream mixed with orange juice. Then she sprinkled gratted chocolate on top.

Can you imagine if someone served that up now?

BitOfFun · 28/07/2009 18:18

I know hf, it's so tiresome - me too

moondog · 28/07/2009 18:18

Sounds bloody nice LS.
My parents and friends had progressive dinners where yuo trailed to different houses for each course and got hammered.

I love all that making an effrot stuff.

EldonAve · 28/07/2009 18:23

I think lots of folk locally do dinner parties and book clubs

We don't. I am too tired to cook so we go out with friends. My house is also too messy

hf128219 · 28/07/2009 18:24

It bores me rigid! And I get in a panic when I have to cook too!

DrNortherner · 28/07/2009 18:24

My parents neer had dinner parties. They could only just afford to feed us all, let alone anyone else.

BitOfFun · 28/07/2009 18:26

Don't you get caterers in?

hf128219 · 28/07/2009 18:33

Sometimes I have a chef - and waiting staff. It depends on the occasion.

BitOfFun · 28/07/2009 18:34

Natch.

diedandgonetodevon · 28/07/2009 18:34

If I had to cook I would never invite anyone, ever! I can play hostess but cooking for more than three scares me.

BitOfFun · 28/07/2009 18:35

Do you make sure you serve Ferrero Rocher for the ambassador too?

TrillianAstra · 28/07/2009 18:36

My parents never did.

I love to have people round for dinner now I have a nice flat with a dining table and I can.

It's not formal though. It's just food and lots of wine and chat at someone's house.

TrillianAstra · 28/07/2009 18:37

I do go a bit of trouble but only because I like to cook and need a good excuse to make something extra nice.

Tortington · 28/07/2009 18:37

we get pissed and eat pizza - never had a dinner party.

hf128219 · 28/07/2009 18:44

Ferrero are the spawn of the devil!!!

kathyis6incheshigh · 28/07/2009 18:47

Lynette I'm sure I've seen that gingernut thing in a Jamie Oliver book. Served in a glass with a sprig of mint on top. V classy.

brimfull · 28/07/2009 18:55

we have friends for dinner

I agree with badgersarse though

they are bloody ££££ and some people never invite you back

dh alwasy does the cooking though

LibrasBiscuitsOfFortune · 28/07/2009 18:58

"My parents and friends had progressive dinners where yuo trailed to different houses for each course and got hammered"

My PIL do that quite regularly with their village, apparently it takes military planning but it sounds quite fun and a good way for people to get to know each other.

Hassled · 28/07/2009 19:00

I've eaten that gingernut thing, I'm sure of it. Was nice - I might resurrect it.

We have quite a good set up with close mates (a couple) where we take it in turns to host a meal once a month and get a bit pissed and bitch about our mutual friends. For some reason I do pudding regardless of whose house we're in, but I love the glory. That's the thing about cooking for others - even if it's all a bit crap, people are so good at appreciative noises.

hf128219 · 28/07/2009 19:00

Luckily I don't have to pay for the 'official' dinners.

jcscot · 28/07/2009 19:14

I know how you feel, hf. Sandhurst had competitive dinner party-ing and there was no escape. We didn't have to pay for the entertaining-the-cadets dinners, but we had to pay for everything else.

The patch had a safari supper one term that was a lot of fun - random people cycling around with different groupings for each course. Hilarious and a great way to meet people.

I don't mind the cooking - quite enjoy it really - or the polishing of silver/crystal etc. However, the husband didn't qualify for staff which would have made it a lot easier!