Hosting a celebration tomorrow. Cooking is almost done. Cleaning is almost done. Glassware sparkles. New plants in the yard. It looks like no one actually lives here! I decided to take a break when I realized I was staightening the Q-tips, in case anyone opened the bathroom cabinet. So, the question is.... what inane thing do you find yourself doing to prepare for a party?
New work break.... oh, yes, you all must be my sisters! I did all the laundry, too, and straightened out my closets. And yes, it's not to impress anyone (not going to happen in my little house), but just to make everything as pleasant as possible. Wonder what I'll find to do next?
Party's over and the guest of honor seemed very happy with all her guests. She's such a love, it was a pleasure throwing the party for her. Dishes are done and the floor is swept. Now I'm sitting with my feet up and drinking a great cup of coffee. Ahhh.
Wow! I'm still finishing the cooking and cleaning when guests arrive!
The day before the party I'm usually asking myself, "Why did I think I could possibly prepare for this party??!! I need to cancel it!!!"
I do that sort of thing when I am overwhelmed and the q-tips are an achievable goal. I've done things like straighten the stuff on the front of the fridge.
Oh I knew I forgot to do something!! I didn't straighten out my Q tips lol. We are having a friend coming over from England. First time here. Do I have to tell you ladies what I have been like. Did all the windows, curtains down and then the cleaning began. Right down to touching up spots where baby gates have worn down. What a great feeling to have while house done at the same time. Clean sheets on my bed and I am a happy camper. Trust me i will continue to nit pick until she walks in the door. I am making hubby crazy lol. Oh well, let me go do my Q tips. Have a great weekend ladies!
I always make sure my fridge is clean and tidy, inside and out. That's my weird thing. Even if I don't expect guests to go in there, I don't want to be caught with a funky fridge LOL!
I do all the laundry. Why, I have no idea other than I must be part crazy:) I don't believe anyone has ever gone into my master bedroom closet and checked for dirty clothes.
I find that I use "company's coming" as more of an excuse to clean and organize for myself. I love how the house feels when I've organized or straightened something. :-) And don't get me started on donating/throwing junk away. Ohhh, baby, that's good stuff. :-D
I wait until the last minute and then stress about the fact that I have no time to do anything about it. The party still happens and usually is super fun anyway. We have a get together tomorrow and I still haven't gone to the store. Been a busy day with kids and I'd rather go hiking and have fun. I do this to myself. One day I will plan ahead and cancel all plans until the party is officially "prepped". I'm sure that will be a lovely feeling.
If nothing else, you have inspired me to organize my q-tips! Lol I don't host often, but when I do, I make sure its more of an outside event so that people only need to use my bathroom. I'll go through and do the normal clean and shut all the bedroom doors. Never really thought of organizating the q-tips before. Lol
You want to hear something funny? I just logged out of MP and on the front page is an ad for Amazon, featuring..........Q-Tips! So hilarious. Some bot is scanning content here and plugging in ads for things we might be interested in? I have never searched for Q-Tips, so I'm sure such an unlikely item from Amazon is not placed here randomly. Lol!
Clean the baseboards because my mom says I should always do it when company comes. I get a complex if I don't do it.
oh, too funny!!!
you sound like my SIL! oh my, her big lovely house is always immaculate, and i could TOTALLY see her straightening the Q-tips!
the only inane thing i do is procrastinate forever on the cleaning, and then shriek and run around madly at the last minute. i'm so NOT a type-A.
but boy, can i indulge in a lazy afternoon in the sun with a book. my poor SIL can barely sit still long enough to get her nails done without feeling anxious and guilty about what she's not accomplishing.
there's gotta be a happy medium.......
:) khairete
S.
Yikes. Nothing but the average pick-up and clean. I don't really have anyone to impress. If you don't like me because I don't have nice flowers in the yard or my q-tips are messed up, then I guess there are bigger issues in the world than I thought. Good luck.
I'm glad I'm not the only q-tip straightener on the face of the earth! When we have people coming, I want everything to look pleasing to the eye - not that I'm exactly out to score points with everyone, but it's a good opportunity to put a little more beauty in my home. Even if it's the q-tips. I laugh at myself, yes.
WOW!! I don't get that detailed when planning a party. I guess I need to make sure my closets and cabinets are straightened up!! Thanks for that detail!
I don't cook the night/day before unless it's something that will reheat well. Not even the deviled eggs - I don't like the way they stink up the fridge...
So I guess I make sure my house is clean and as organized as possible...and people feel comfortable in my home....
When we are having a party, my husband pretty much does not lift a finger--until the night before. And then he gets all manic about it. Nothing the rest of us do is good enough. And since I generally make simple parties with fun games for the kids, he gets upset that it is not more extravagant ad tells the kids it will be better next year. We don't have parties every year.
Yeah...it's like if my laundry's not done & put away...nothing else can begin!
Maybe there's a 12 Step plan?
When we have a party? I empty the refrigerator and clean it. I also make sure the oven is spotless in case any one wants to "help" me in the kitchen.
The front closet is emptied for any jackets/coats.
Laundry MUST be done and put away. I might cheat and take the majority of it (no underwear, bras, etc.) but definitely pants, shirts, dresses.
Vacuum between and under the cushions on the sofas and the chairs.
Wipe down the doors.
I think the most interesting thing about all these cleaning comments is the fact that whenever I go to someone's house for a dinner party, I never notice things like if the house is clean - I just go to enjoy my friends and have a good time so I think we all stress over things when company's coming that don't really matter to guests so don't put so much pressure on yourselves, gals - no one truly cares if your house is perfect - they're there for you.
I used to get incredibly stressed out before a gathering or even a visit from someone. I'd go nuts cleaning stuff then freak out when my husband or kids would mess something up even a little. It wasn't healthy.
Now I only get a little stressed. I make sure the bathroom is clean and I sweep/vacuum the common areas and remove most of the clutter, but not all. Basically, my regular level of cleaning timed to be just before company comes.. I live here, I have messes, I don't need to impress people with false perfection. They already like me for who I am.
Added: If you like cleaning and what not, then go for it. I just meant that it isn't my normal and I realized it wasn't in keeping with my true self, so it needed to stop.
Lol...the opposite. I clean up, but I tend to say with a shrug, "They know that people live here." I especially expect people to understand that if they looked behind a closed door, then ANYTHING might be there.
