If you have friends/family over for dinner, do you do all the work?

[SadAboutTheBoy]

I feel like we never see some of our old friends these days, and don't really get invited round much either and it's probably because we seem to have got into a spell of not having people over for dinner.

When we do, I have to do all the work - the inviting, date juggling, planning, shopping, cooking, tidying, table-laying, serving etc. DH always says he will help but usually it ends up just being serving the wine and bringing a few plates through!
I am knackered by it and don't get to talk much to anyone there anyway, while DH sits having a nice old chat .
I've tried just directing him 'can you take this' or 'can you do that' but he just does the one task and then sits down again...

I'm sure we're not getting invited much to other people's because we're not hosting much ourselves, but I find the whole thing so stressful and exhausting.

Just me, or do other people have DHs who help/do more or just find it easier?

I stopped doing it for that very reason.

Used to do it a lot in London but we've moved to West Midlands a few years ago and people don't seem to do it here.

No..we had in laws around last night. DH cleaned the kitchen while got the food shopping in, then cleaned the living room while I prepped and cooked. He helped taking dishes to the tackle, getting drinks etc. afterwards I loaded the dishwasher...he emptied it. It always works out about 50/50

My DH does his fair share of the planning, organising, cooking and whatever else needs doing. I can’t imagine him sitting back and letting me do all the work. It wouldn’t cross his mind not to take equal responsibility.

We split the cooking - e.g. he does the starter and pudding, I do main and sides - could you try that? It includes planning and shopping list and serving

I mainly do the planning & shopping but DH does his fair share for the actual event.

Same here OP, except DH doesn't do wine or plates either, he acts as though he's one of the guests. We had a barbecue once and I had do that as well.

So....no entertaining now at all, which is a shame because he loved it, but there you go.

I've left DH to it today as it's all his family and I hadn't really wanted them all round todau. I did the shopping and I'll help tidy up. His grown up kids don't help at all. And it just winds me up!!

Generally I do all the cleaning/tidying/setting the table whilst Dh cooks. He normally makes a couple of curries or stew type dishes the night before, so that on the day there is not as much to do.

We always buy in starters and puddings, nobody minds!

Guests are friends and family so generally help tidying at the end and serve their own food.

It used to feel like a huge faff when the kids were younger but these days it's not too bad. Having said that we probably only do it once a month on average..

We don't have people round so much, or go to others', because everyone is so busy and, I suspect, like ourselves can't be arsed. Not with the work but the other people bit.

Most people I know have so much on they would much rather spend their spare time lounging on sofa eating bodyweight in Ferrero Rocher. Or cooking chocolate. Maybe just me...

Himself is much better cook than me so he does all Sunday Roasts (in fact all weekend meals) and any special occasion cooking. I do dessert. Or buy dessert.

He enjoys it, I don't. He's very good and will fuss about seeing to people, making the teas and coffees and loads dishwasher.

Even at the kids' birthday parties he was known as the hostess with the mostess getting everyone sorted while I sat on backside gabbing.

This thread has made me realise I am actually a lazy cow. Ah well...

If you don't miss it don't do it but if you want people for dinner tell him we're doing this and give him specific jobs. I'll do A&B, you do C&D (and keep me up on gin).

I do most of the cooking and table setting but dp tidies up and does the dishwasher after.

Your husband sounds really lazy op
Is he like this all the time?