Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with parties

Politely parenting my kid's playdates?

Bardolph — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 10:28:25 -0800

My preschooler is getting just old enough to have a proper social life (playdates, birthday parties, etc.). I've got some specific questions about the parental etiquette expectations surrounding these kiddie get-togethers. Since my husband and I are busy introverts, we've never really done any parent meetups or playgroups or any kind of organized socialization; little B (4ish) has played with other kids pretty much exclusively ad-hoc on the playground, or at school/daycare. As she gets old enough to get invites to more directed kinds of socializing, though, I'm wondering what the current conventions are for parent involvement in this stuff. Specifically:

--Playdates: must we stop by and introduce ourselves as parents a couple days before the date? May we, if we'd like to from a safety standpoint? Can we ask where the kids would be playing? Should we provide this info unasked if/when other people are checking us out?

--Likewise, on playdates at other people's houses, is one of us expected to stay there the whole time? If not, is it OK for one of us to stay there, just to keep an eye on things? May/should we follow the kids around the house, or do we stay seated in whatever adult space we're offered? If we do stay, do we have to chat with the other parent the whole time (ugh), or is it cool to bring a book or some work or something?

-- For playdates at our house: must/should we invite the other parents to stay? If they do stay, do we have to hang out with them the whole time? (please please say we don't)

-- Ditto birthday parties: do we stay? Do we help? Must we chat? Do we follow the kids?

-- Post-encounter thank-you notes (from us/her): required? expected? And in response to which invites?

-- And lastly, any other do's/don'ts we should be aware of?

As you may have guessed, I'm kind of dreading the whole thing, both from a safety standpoint (just read Protecting the Gift, which is very eloquent on the potential for creepy sexual violence from friends' random elder brothers, uncles, fathers, etc.) and in terms of the social requirements for myself-- so it'd be particularly helpful to know what the bounds of decorum are on the high-supervision, but low-social-engagement, end of the spectrum. Location, if it matters, is middle-class suburban USA. Thanks!

"Everybody who's currently intestate, MAKE SOME NOIIIIIISE!"

julthumbscrew — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 08:34:20 -0800

I want to host a "will party", which will feature yummy snacks, refreshing drinks... and access to all of the resources needed for end-of-life planning. Is this doable? HOW? Intestate-rrific details inside... A number of my family members and friends have been thinking about Their Inevitable Demise lately (because they've recently had babies, or are getting older, or are of a morbidly contemplative bent). Many have expressed a desire to get their shit together re: having a will/living will/advance directive/etc. I share this desire. However, none of us have taken any steps towards this goal.

While mulling this, I got an idea: why not throw a Will Party? I could invite everyone over - as WELL as inviting a (paid-by-the-hour, of course) paralegal or lawyer, and possibly a notary. I could purchase a copy of one of the popular "make yer own will at home!" programs. Everyone could draft up their will on the PC, have it reviewed by a legal professional, THEN have it notarized! Then we could all do shots! Woo, party!

Reasons Why This Might Work: most people I know have very, very, VERY simple estate-planning needs. No one is wealthy. No one owns much beyond a home/car/401(k). No one comes from a wealthy background. No one has any sort of all-consuming family drama. No one has any long-term illness. No one is oe'er-dramatic about death.

Reasons Why This Might NOT Work, and How to Overcome Them: that's what I need you to tell ME! What am I overlooking? Why might this be an awful idea? What other sort of resources would be available? If my plan is flawed, what sort of changes and/or advance planning MIGHT make it feasible? Thanks, Hive!

ISO adult birthday party ideas in the SF Bay Area

rhiannonstone — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:56:02 -0800

My birthday's coming up soon and I'd like to have a party-type thing with 10-15 of my closest friends. Previous years I've done group brunches, group dinners, and a picnic at Crissy Field, but I'm kinda stumped for ideas this year. Can you recommend any awesome birthday party venues in the SF Bay Area? Details of what I'm looking for below the fold. Mostly I want to actually be able to talk to and hang out with my friends over tasty foods, so either a venue I can reserve in advance and bring my own food to, or a restaurant with a private or semi-private area so we can get up and move around and socialize would be ideal. If there's some sort of fun activity to do, that would be nice, too, as long as there's still space for people who just want to hang out and socialize to do so. (I've thought of House of Air, but that seems too forced-activity and there's not really anywhere else to hang out and share food.) Indoor or outdoor. It'll be all adults, but we're all kids at heart so somewhere that might be intended for kids could be lots of fun.

It would be extra-awesome if it were in the East Bay, but really anywhere in the SF Bay Area works.

Getting good electronic dance music in Vancouver, BC

TangoCharlie — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 21:21:00 -0800

Where does a thirty-something resident of Vancouver go for electronic dance music? Similar to this older Ask Mefi thread, I'm looking for good electronic music in Vancouver, BC. My tastes are a little more mainstream than hers, but the spirit's close.

I've always loved electronic music across most genres but never had friends who were into it, so I've been shy about getting out to shows/nights. In the 90s I was too young for raves. I feel like I missed out. In the early '00s I knew I could at least get good Deep House from DJ Leanne on Sundays at Shine. I know no such thing these days, but it's time to get out there – alone, if I have to. It's time for dance music!

My tastes, FWIW: Right now I'm mostly listening to the UKF podcast (loved Submotion Orchestra, Document One... it's D&B/"dubstep" ;) ) and the Above & Beyond Group Therapy podcast (trance-y stuff). Big, fun, sweet electronic music. I've not had a lot of success with Resident Advisor - too sober for me, generally speaking. But maybe I'd like that sound more in a live setting. Like I said, all genres are good. My only hard-line turn-off is MCs.

I'd prefer to avoid line-ups and bar stars. I'd like to meet people who are genuinely there for the music, or I'd at least like to find an amiable crowd.

Maybe that'll lead to figuring out where to go/who to talk to about underground parties, but baby steps, right?

Any recommendations, pro-tips, and/or leads I can follow are all greatly appreciated. (Including cheap flights to the UK/Europe.)

Is it worth it to learn to socialize this way?

Borborygmus — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 14:53:44 -0800

For various reasons, I've never been entirely comfortable with a very common type of social event -- I'd characterize it as meeting in loud spaces in the evening with strangers around alcohol. In college, they were frat parties. In business school, it's been beer blasts. In professional life, it's been bars and happy hours. These social events are so common that I haven't been able to avoid them entirely, and I realize to some extent attending them is important because they're so common -- this is how many people meet mates, job prospects, connections. Is it worth it to force myself to get better at enjoying them, or am I completely justified in avoiding them as much as I can? (personal details follow) I'm quite a few years out of college, but have returned to business school, where there's a lot of socializing that takes place in this way. That scene has never been my thing, even when I was in college.

I'm not an avid drinker. I'm a bit of a health nut, and would prefer to get up early to exercise. I'm also pretty small, physically, so I find it hard to make an impression in those loud, crowded places. I'm not big enough to claim my space and command crowds, and I tire out trying to shout over the music. Otherwise, I'm pretty sociable. I can make an impression in smaller, quieter environments like dinner parties and meet-and-greets.

I know we often have to do things we're uncomfortable with to grow, but is it worth it to continue to subject myself to these events? I know there are other types of social events, but loud parties seem to cast the widest net, and I might not be able to avoid it one day, so maybe I should get better at it.

On the other hand, is it futile to try? I'm not going to get any bigger or louder to conform to these spaces, nor give up my health obsessions for a questionable return.

Has anyone been in my shoes? Given the demographics of Metafilter, I expect most people will suggest that I spend my time elsewhere, but I'm especially interested in anyone who's tried and succeeded.

Help me dress like I'm from the future

superlibby — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 13:35:27 -0800

I need an awesome costume idea for a future-themed party. Things that are important: cost (cheap) and ease of construction. I'm open to all kinds of visions of the future, and funny/punny costumes work GREAT. Thank you, ask.me -- you made my apocalypse costume a big hit, and I'm looking forward to suggestions for a future-themed costume!

Does it always have to be about oil and water, rubber and glue?

kalessin — Fri, 28 Dec 2012 08:46:30 -0800

We are a relatively new couple in our friends' lives, both in our 40s, socially functional and generous, but not always gracious. Not always the best and most skilled hosts. We have very different kinds of friends who are unused to each other - some are dedicated to not getting along with each others' philosophies ad beliefs - and we'd like to know how to integrate everyone in our parties in the most fair ways with the best chance of getting folks to know and like each other. We'd like our guests to be comfortable and to want to come back and visit again. There is a fly in the ointment of communal friendship (and, frankly, we're afraid that some of our friends may come to shouting matches with each other) and I'm looking for good coping mechanisms and strategies for achieving this among potentially contentious friends. The contentiousness is that I come to the relationship largely with Skeptics and pro-science folk as friends and she comes to the relationship largely with Alternative Medicine friends, both folks who trade on and consume those services. My sweetie and I tend to bridge that gap, being tolerant of and having positive experiences from Alternative Medicine, but at the same time being pragmatic and knowing that some empirical knowledge seems to be pretty apt and effective (and knowing and being frustrated by empiricist limits as well).

As separate people, we've become friends with or are friendly with each other's friends, but the challenge is getting our friends to get along with each other.

And while the TCM And homeopath friends are good with getting along with everyone, the Skeptics aren't. The Skeptics are capable of being in the same room with the homeopaths, but it's clear they're not enjoying themselves, that their ire is in conflict with their social graces and they're on edge and feeling incapable of themselves being entirely gracious. I suspect but do not know for sure that this inability to change is near vendetta level (for familial loss).

It would be difficult for us, but not impossible, to do as the gracious people from the movies do and do deep introductions and get folks talking about the things they enjoy and the things they have in common. It would also be difficult but not impossible for us to keep track of who we invite to what gathering and try to keep the oil and water friends separate in separate parties. It would be difficult but not impossible for us to never invite either set of incompatible friends over, to only visit them at their homes.

But our ideal would be for everyone to get along and everyone to enjoy themselves at our parties, and our Christmas Eve party seemed to establish that that wasn't going to happen on its own.

I've done some searching and reading and found some interesting suggestions, among them:
- http://ask.metafilter.com/190159/Shes-the-Vegemite-in-my-friendship-cupboard
- http://ask.metafilter.com/231909/help-me-make-a-party-a-little-fun-at-least
- http://ask.metafilter.com/192901/Should-I-invite-the-ex
- http://ask.metafilter.com/17123/Is-it-acceptable-to-ask-the-bride-not-to-seat-me-next-to-someone-in-particular
- http://ask.metafilter.com/69534/How-do-I-fix-this

I'd like to know what strategies and social graces and other methods you've used to keep friends who are unwilling or unable to get along with each other friends of yours, especially if you enjoy entertaining and, if all other things were equal you'd like to keep your friends close and invite all of them to all of your parties.

It almost feels too obvious to say this, but I'm uninterested in strategies and methods focused on changing friends, fighting with them about their philosophies or not being their friends.

Etiquette for 'optional' workplace events that are not really optional?

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 18:59:11 -0800

Starting to feel uncomfortable about work events which are allegedly optional but don't turn out to be. How to approach this with boss? We seem to have a recurring issue in my workplace involving optional events that aren't really optional. I am starting to get a little uncomfortable about this. The most recent three were:

1) A 'volunteer' Christmas outreach event. I got out of this one because it was on the first night of Hanukkah and I am Jewish. Nobody said anything (to my face) about my not being there, but everyone else was there and a few people grumbled that I was 'lucky' I had an excuse not to be because they didn't have an excuse and felt they had to go.

2) A staff Christmas party. This was held at a co-worker's home on a Friday evening starting at 5 pm. It had been our busiest week with all of us staying late for two nights that week, including the previous one. Two people left at 7:30 because they had kids to pick up. I left at 8 pm because I was getting a ride with another co-worker who was leaving then. I felt I had done my bit. But then I heard the next day that people stayed quite late and were gossiping about those of us who left...

3) After-work 'drinks' for the boss' birthday. I went, and since I felt weird about the Christmas party thing, I made sure I was the very last one to leave. The other last to leave was the co-worker who gave me a ride from the Christmas party :)

Am I wrong to feel a bit put out by all of this? If it's optional, I don't think they should be criticizing people for putting in a reasonable appearance and then heading home to their lives. Not all of us enjoy socializing with co-workers, and not all of us enjoy doing it on weeknights when we've put in a full day at work. I don't think that staying three hours at a Christmas party and then calling it a night is so horrible.

But historically, I know that those who don't go to these things do get gossiped about afterward so I feel that there is sometimes pressure to go. What is the best way to handle these types of situations?

L is for Lonely, if nobody shows up

not that girl — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:57:23 -0800

How to make an open house party enough fun that people will show up for another one? In December, my family threw an afternoon open house where we served a wide variety of fancy store-bought cookies as well as tea and coffee. We called it "C is for Cookie." It was well-attended. I don't usually throw parties, but some friends and I got a running joke going about me continuing to do these things: D is for Donut next month, E is for Eclair the month after that, F is for Fudge, and so on. I was just kidding about it, but a party-loving friend talked me into at least trying to keep the ball rolling.

I like the idea--this was a very low-stress party to plan and host, and people enjoyed the playful theme. C is for Cookie was a sit-around-and-chat party. Attendance got a boost due to the recent death of my mother, and people wanting to come to show their support for me. I'm not sure how many we'd have gotten otherwise.

What can I do in the future--besides the tasty treats and the good coffee--to make an open-house style party enough fun that people will come back for it? Guests would be likely to include both children and adults. It seems unlikely that we could plan an all-at-once group activity, but are there optional activities we could set up that would be intriguing ("I really liked the decorate-your-own donut machine...I wonder what not that girl's got up her sleeve this month? I must go there to find out!")?

Party throwers, give me the benefit of your wisdom.

Fingerfood dessert recipe using frozen strawberries?

lollusc — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 02:59:37 -0800

I have been freezing strawberries from my garden and currently have about 6-8 cups of them. I need to take a dessert to a Christmas party this weekend. I would like to use the strawberries, but it needs to be something that can be eaten with fingers (probably no bowls or utensils will be available) and work well with berries that have been frozen. Any ideas?

Looking for fun party games like Telephone Pictionary

Afroblanco — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 11:10:07 -0800

Looking for fun party games (other than Telephone Pictionary) that can be played with 20-25 people and involve little (or no) supplies, explanation, organization, or complex thinking. My girlfriend and I host a monthly potluck dinner for our friends. After we eat, we usually play Telephone Pictionary, which is always funny and everybody loves. Only thing is we've been doing this for months, and I'm concerned about the group getting tired of Telephone Pictionary. Nobody's said anything yet, but it's starting to feel a bit repetitive. I'm thinking it may be time to try a new game.

Thing is, Telephone Pictionary is perfect. It doesn't require many supplies (just a bunch of notebooks and pens), the rules can be explained in less than 2 minutes, and it's absolutely hilarious. Everyone loves it.

Are there any other party games that fit this description?

Please keep in mind that my friends are usually tipsy by this point in the evening, so I'd rather not introduce something that requires organization or complex thinking. Definitely not interested in strategy games. Anything that channels my friends' natural creativity and humor is a plus.

Alternately, do you know of any fun variations on Telephone Pictionary that may shake things up a bit?

I want to make a web-page which will track if UK political parties' election manifesto promises once they are in power.

maiamaia — Sat, 06 Oct 2012 15:03:49 -0800

I want to make a web-page which will track if UK political parties' election manifesto promises once they are in power. I don't want to devote my life or income to this and i'm only doing it because i think i ought to=i am lazy. Comments? Suggestions? Need to know? Sarcasm? Thanks^_^ They did a Morsi-metre in Egypt for the president and there's one in the States, i keep waiting for someone else to do that here but it seems i might have to:(

Why do people "go out" so late?

windbox — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:23:06 -0800

People in your 20's who like to go out REALLY late: Can you please explain to me the appeal of going out so late? For cultural context, I live in the US and am mid-20's in a major city. The scenario is going out to bars or parties on the weekend. I'm not talking about staying out late, but wondering why people LEAVE so late?

Ideally on a Friday or Saturday night I would leave the house to meet with friends sometime between 7 and 9pm, eating dinner sometime between 6 and 9 - maybe "dinner" and "going out with friends" could even overlap!

However, this ideal is drastically different from pretty much everyone my age who I know who regularly engages in weekend-night-socializing. They seem to prefer leaving between 10pm and 12pm - usually closer to the latter. When making plans, I'll ask what time we should meet and it never ceases to shock me when they respond "oh, probably 10 or 11." Of course, when 11 rolls around and I've been fidgeting with boredom at home for like 5 hours since getting off work, I'll hear that they're actually leaving in ANOTHER half hour. Now it's 11:30 and they've finally confirmed they are ready to go.

What the hell, dude(s)! By the time you get there last call is in 2 hours! I legitimately do not understand this phenomenon. Do people just procrastinate leaving their house? Is it girls in the group who take a long time to get ready? Is it just plain "uncool" to go out before 10? Is starting the night at 9 considered "starting early"? I get that in some cities in Europe and South America people don't go out till midnight or even 1 or 2am, but from what I understand there is a nap involved somewhere during the day, and apparently last call is like, Never.

I'm not asking for advice on how to deal with this or how to find new friends and blah blah blah. I'm just genuinely curious as to what the thought process is here? Especially interested in mefites who "go out" often and actually engage in this ritual every weekend. Especially if you've ever been the plan-maker who actually said "we'll leave at 11pm" - when people like me suggest leaving at 8 or 9 do I sound like an elderly person?

Where to host an afternoon of boardgaming in Austin?

Zorz — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:23:04 -0800

Where in Austin can I host 25-45 people for boardgaming between 1-6 PM that will cost me less than $300? Birthday's coming up, and I haven't done anything special in a few years. Most of my friends enjoy boardgaming, so I've invited basically everyone I know in town to come spend the afternoon playing boardgames (it's a Saturday.) Problem: the location is listed as TBD. I'm still working to find a location that's large enough, available for long enough, and within my budget, preferably someplace that either serves food or can get food delivered. I haven't had a ton of luck googling, so I thought I'd try crowd-sourcing it. Any ideas?

Should I join a major political party?

crapples — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 08:37:36 -0800

I'm a U.S. citizen currently registered as "No Party". Why should I, or shouldn't I, join one of the political parties? I started out as a member of Party X*, but about 10 years ago I changed my affiliation to No Party (the only option in my state - we don't have an Independent party). I've been considering declaring a party affiliation again, but I can't convince myself that there's any good reason to.

You may ask what my political persuasions are. Well, that's just the problem: I'm sympathetic with one of the major parties probably 50% of the time. Sympathetic with the other one probably 15% of the time. The other 35% of the time I feel like they are both a big clown show.

I know which party I would join if I were to join one. But what's the use? What are the historical, philosophical, practical, civic, and other reasons for joining a party?

* I wrote this whole question using the actual political party names, but then went back and erased them because I don't want to digress into discussions about which party is best. I really just want to know why anyone would want to join any party.

Got recipes for informal dinner gatherings?

feets — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:59:25 -0800

Seeking yummy vegetarian entrees that don't need to be eaten immediately after cooking. I'm having a lot of informal gatherings at my house -- folks showing up in a three-hour window around the dinner hour.

Since people aren't all sitting down at the same time, a lot of recipes won't work. (Anything that says "serve immediately" -- i.e. french onion soup or spaghetti -- is out.) So far I've tried quiche, corn chowder, tortilla soup, and bean/barley soup, and have been thinking about trying tamales, lasagna, and tom kha soup.

This is where you come in: I'm looking for inspiration. Do you know a great veggie soup recipe? Or ideas for other veggie entrees that can survive a couple hours on the hob? I don't mind if the cooking process takes a long time.

Thanks, Mefi!

p.s. Cookbook recommendations, veg or non-veg, would be cool too. I am just beginning my exploration of this world of cooking. So far I've been getting a big kick out of A New Way To Cook and Wild Fermentation.

For Football Foodies

Doleful Creature — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:06:17 -0800

Help me win my office's Super Bowl snack contest. We're having a little pre-Super Bowl work party. It is potluck, but there will be a contest for the two best "snacks", by popular vote.

I want to win this so hard.

Last year there was only one winner and it was something called Buffalo Chicken Dip (foodnetwork.com link, Not sure if that was the winner's exact recipe but it was similar for sure). So what should I make? Do you have any secret weapons in the snack arena?

Additional considerations:

1. I'm a very competent cook, and a pretty good baker
2. I have access to most kitchen tools: slow cookers, range tops, oven, high-powered blenders, food processors, charcoal bbq, etc...
3. Prefer savory recipes (but if you have like a killer brownie recipe I'm all ears)
4. Does not have to be sports-themed, just has to taste like a game-winning Hail Mary pass

Motivation: the gift-card prize is nice, but really I'm going for bragging rights against my super-foodie boss, who always wins this stuff.

Fun Cabin Fever ideas for your/ our community?

woodman — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:24:56 -0800

We'd like to hold a Cabin Fever party at our public library next month and are looking for a few creative ideas. We're in New Hampshire & a break during the long winter spell is always welcomed. In the past we've set out various board games and invited local musicians to play. This has worked well, but we like the idea of not repeating ourselves and are interested in ideas that are bit more outside-the-box/ wacky. Cordova, Alaska's Ice Worm Festival comes to mind, so we'll also be doing some homework on our to find ideas with particular local resonance.

it's raining men

gerryblog — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 11:19:05 -0800

Invitations for a (co-ed) baby shower. I'm helping plan a baby shower for my wife. She has been very clear that she wants the shower to be co-ed, but having not been to very many co-ed baby showers ourselves we feel a little unsure of the proper protocol. Do we send an invitation to my single father? His unmarried brothers? My male cousins? As a couple we're as feminist as can be but this still seems a bit odd to us, and we know it will seem very odd to them.

More generally, what is the etiquette for inviting people to a baby shower who are very unlikely to attend? Some of these people live rather far away, and we'd be very surprised if they made the trip just for a shower -- but we'd like to invite them anyway just to let them know they're in our thoughts without leaving the impression that we're trolling for gifts.

Between the co-ed and the probably-won't-attends the list of possible invitations seems to be growing uncomfortably wedding-sized, which seems like it's much too much. How do we make decisions about who to include and who to exclude?

How have other people navigated this sort of thing? My wife's friends will be mailing the actual invitations, if that makes a difference in terms of how you think an invitation will be perceived. Thank you!

Boozin' and Gamblin' in an unlicensed venue.

OompaLoompa — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:06:45 -0800

How can I set up a party with boozin', gamblin', and charity fundraisin' in a privately owned commercial space without bringing the wrath of the state of Illinois down upon us all? Private member organization is throwing annual cocktail party. This is usually held at a rented restaurant location, but this year we'd like to do it in an historic building owned by one of the members. The building is unoccupied, but it is a commercial space, if that makes a difference.

We'd like to do a casino night, with possibility of fundraising for a good cause. We always charge a fee to attend events to cover cost, so it's not simply a private party.

We're hoping to have some food, a bar, and we'll bring in a licensed games company for the casino bit (fun money, not real stakes), but what other permits/licensing might we need, in addition to one for charity fundraising?

We had planned to purchase the food and alcohol and just hire servers in order to keep costs down, but do we need to be licensed for this since people will be paying for entry?

The absolute last thing we want is to throw a great party people are paying to attend and have the cops shut us down for breaking the law.

Thanks in advance!

How much food do I need for my party?

jrochest — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:09:53 -0800

Open House food for 70: enough! or too much? I'm having a holiday open house this sunday, and I've invited everyone I can -- about 70 people on FB, but more via email/in person. Now, not everyone will come, and not everyone will come at the same time (start at 3 pm, till midnight) so I'm not concerned about filling the house, but FOOD is an issue: I normally give house parties, where everyone just drinks and eats chips.

"Open house" implies a spread of finger food and baking, which I'm looking forward to doing. But how much food will I need? How about drinks?

And anyone got any favourite stand-around kinda munchies/finger food recipes to share? I have cookies, and I'll do spinach dip and such, pick up some frozen shrimp, cheese and crackers, etc. I've just never fed this many people and don't want to run out!!

What's your best appetizer recipe?

Rula Lenska — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:01:59 -0800

Help me win an appetizer cooking contest! Again! Well, mefites, you came through for me last year, and now I need your help again.

The bar gets raised a little every year at this annual holiday party/appetizer contest.

Here are some things I neglected to mention last year:

1) We live in Seattle, so fresh, excellent seafood is actually quite routine for everyone here. :)

2) Bacon is ALWAYS over-represented at this event.

3) Discrete, individual servings are nice but not necessary. If it tastes good enough, it doesn't matter if you have to lop off or scoop out your own serving.

4) Something that's so common where you live that you'd never consider entering it in a contest might be almost unheard of here. That Southern staple, Pimiento Cheese Spread, for example, always amazes and delights food snobs in the Pacific Northwest.

So, what do you suggest?

B-I-N-G-O

availablelight — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 07:15:42 -0800

Asked for a friend: if you inherited a vintage, "institutional bingo set," what would you do? Help someone out--who's never even gone to a bingo hall to see how this works, and thinks the game sounds, well, boring--what some fun things to do might be.

The world in parties?

ista — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 20:34:11 -0800

If you had a year to travel to the world's most renowned festivals, where would you go? Oktoberfest in Munich, Running of the Bulls in Pamplona, Mardi Gras in New Orleans... help me make a list of the biggest parties in the world. Looking for large-scale events that are held annually that are embedded in the local culture. Events the population collectively looks forward to and people travel to see (or would if they knew)

I'm not especially going for obscurity so feel free to chime in on the big ones. If you've been: What were your experiences like? Would you do it again?

Also feel free to weigh in on less well-known but still regionally celebrated festivals where you've had a great time.

Surprisingly difficult surprise party planning...

Pomo — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:16:17 -0800

What should I do/get for my boyfriend's birthday when we've only been dating 6 months and I haven't met his friends? I've looked at other "what-should-I-do-for-the-birthday" questions but nothing really seems a match...

I'm in a relationship with a great guy I met earlier this year. He's met a number of my friends, and I've met his immediate and extended family members, as well as two out-of-town friends. However, I haven't met any of his friends who live here. I know he's not a super-sociable person and hasn't actually hung out with anyone recently except occasional lunch dates, since I see him every evening. I don't think he's intentionally keeping me away from them, but I suppose it's possible (I have trust/jealousy issues from past relationships so perhaps he's protecting my feelings, since, I believe, most of his friends are women). More likely, I think, is that he's a private, bookish type who doesn't need a lot of social interaction.

That said, his 30th birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and I feel like we've been together long enough that it would, normally, be incumbent upon me to plan something for it. In past relationships, that would involve contacting his group of friends, and inviting them out for a surprise dinner/drinks. However, in this case I don't even really know who he is closest with, or how to get ahold of them. I can't just trawl Facebook because he hasn't used it for a couple years.

On the other hand, I don't want to just plan privately for the two of us because that seems presumptuous. I shouldn't monopolize his time on a milestone birthday!

What should I do? Contact his siblings and see what they recommend? Drop hints or even ask him outright? Plan something private and then let him invite along whoever he chooses?

Secondly, I am not sure what I should spend on a gift. I love gift-giving and tend toward the extravagant, but don't want to scare him off. I have purchased concert tickets but they're not that pricey. At the 6 month mark, where both parties earn good incomes, what should be spent on a gift?

Thanks in advance!