How often do you entertain at your home?

[LWJ]

My wife and I seem to host gatherings often. I think 30 times a year is not too far off. Certainly more than 24.

Mrs. LWJ does mention that there is not very much reciprocity in this. Meaning, we host people and they don't host us back. I am mostly ok with this, people don't seem to entertain that much as far as I can tell.

But then, I googled this question - "How often to American's entertain in their home?" And it seems that entertaining others is on an uptick.

So my question is: how often to you entertain at your home?

[Tobra]

Rarely, practically never

[Brian 162]

i would say maybe 6-10 times a year. Our last house was small so it wasn't easy to have a lot of people over. Our new place is perfect for entertaining, open concept main floor with a walk out deck. We're making up for it.

[Tobra]

Had people over 50 to 100 times a year when we lived in Texas

Lot of grandkid time since we moved here, keeps you busy.

[Jeff Alton]

We used to you (10 years ago) host "open table" at our home every thursday. It was an eveining where up to 8 other people could join us, and we would provide dinner and drink. It filled up every week, just a chance for people we knew to come and have dinner, meet new people and not worry about putting a plate on their own table that night. We chose a thusrday so it did not get into the "wee" hours of the night. It was a success, had a few regulars and a few once in while types. Massive fun, and easy for us to prepare. A great time.

That has faded off into the sunset, I guess, mostly because we have not kept it up. I think we will restart it, on a random day each week. This thread made us realize how much we valued the interactions...

We now host couples or singles 3 times a month on average. We like hosting as opposed to being guests... is what it is. It is where our comfort is.....

Cheers

[LWJ]

^^^Open table sounds amazing. Did you just shoot an invite out to lots of people and first come first served?

[Bill Douglas]

Not really at home but I have a small commercial unit that is a man cave come garage bar. So every few weeks I guess, and being a garage bar quite a few randoms stop by for a drink and slice of pizza.

[KFC911]

Whenever they have warrant?

Old friends don't need an invite...

[onewhippedpuppy]

Monthly on average? Definitely more frequently over the summer, we have a decent sized deck and patio. Funny how it does always seem to be us hosting…

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Mrs. LWJ does mention that there is not very much reciprocity in this.

She is correct. I think it's a combination of people not wanting to expend the small effort, as well as the fear of rejection and being judged.

I entertain about 20 times a year. Only two of my friends reciprocate.

[Crowbob]

When someone comes over, usually by mistake or necessity, they are so entertained they never come over again. Dogs, OTOH, can’t stay away.

My parents had a well-outfitted out building at the farm and hosted poker night once a week. Plus at least one day every weekend people just showed up to make fools of themselves. It evolved into quite a ritual with anyone from Kid Rock’s parents, to former governors, to all manner of hobos, ‘nere-do-wells, layabouts, cads, bounders and parolees were involved.

[cabmandone]

During the summer and into fall we entertain frequently. I like having people over, making good food and just having a good time.

[KFC911]

Originally Posted by Crowbob

When someone comes over, usually by mistake or necessity, they are so entertained they never come over again. Dogs, OTOH, can’t stay away.

Can I tag along wif my dawg when she visits ?

[Crowbob]

Originally Posted by KC911

Can I tag along wif my dawg when she visits ?

That depends.

Are you house-broken?

[KFC911]

Moka will visit all by herself

[Crowbob]

Woohoo!

My buddy and his wife are going to Costa Rica for a couple weeks in March. Dock, 1/2 border collie and 1/2 poodle (a boodle coodle poodle) is staying with me. I’ll have about 10 days to convince him he was abandoned by mom and dad and to bite ‘em in the kneecaps if they come back.

[GH85Carrera]

We never throw parties, but we do have house guests that spend the day or even a week here for a visit a few times per year. They are my wife's friends from her grade school days. We mostly chat between going out to eat. They bring their own booze as all I have around here is beer.

[3rd_gear_Ted]

I entertain on my sailboat every Monday in the summer after the beer can race.
The ride afterwards in the dinghy from the mooring to the dock is our form of entertainment.
Getting even with each other is what we do all summer.

[cockerpunk]

once a week.

we run what we call "family dinner" where basically everyone comes over, and we all have some food, and chat all night. sometimes its 5 people, sometimes its 25 people. standing invites, come or dont come depending on your schedule etc. bring a friend, if you are cool, they are probably cool. kids, parents, we dont care.

we usually just make spaghetti because its cheap, easy, and can be optioned for any dietary needs.

people bring whatever else, bread, deserts etc so there is always way too much food.

its great. i love it. i usually "cook" which mostly means boil some water. there are also the dishes afterwards, but thats like 15 minutes of work, nothing major. edit: no expectation of payback or reciprocity. this is just what we do as people.

[Scott Douglas]

I can remember my grandmother wondering if my soon to be wife knew how to throw a dinner party as my mom never really did that much entertaining.
First time she came to one of our Christmas dinners her fears were quashed as my wife really knows how to do it up right with the good china and all.
Now we don't do much of that any more.