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Open House on Saturday, Other Preparations

June 2nd, 2016 at 01:26 pm


Our graduation open house is on Saturday; my first go at hosting something like this (with no definite start and stop times, though my relatives do tend to like to hang around longer than necessary). I've done some list making/comparison shopping/menu revision and here is where it stands:

1) Deli spread with ham/roast beef and Swiss/cheddar
2) Meatballs - half in marinara and half plain
3) Rotini pasta salad with ham cubes/peas/mayo
4) Tri color pasta salad with vegetables and Italian dressing
5) Orange cool whip jello recip
6) TBD other salad

I've priced out fruit plates and can do it cheaper by myself (versus picking up one at Sam's). We found a very nice and reasonable two tier cake at Sam's for $35. I've decided to round out the desserts and snacks with home-made pan cookies (might get exotic with mint chocolate chips for one).

For chips I am buying a 50 count bags of Doritos/Sun Chips at Sam's for $10 and will get two bags of veggie chips at Aldi's for a total of $14.00..

For drinks, Jewel has two liters on sale at $.88 if you buy in multiples of 4. I will get 8 and spend $7.20 plus cost of plastic cups. I was going to do cans but there is the potential for waste and its more expensive.

For decorations, I'll buy a bouquet of flowers and some balloons from the Dollar Tree on Saturday morning. Should spend roughly $15.00.

Today I am renting a Rug Doctor from Ace and cleaning all the carpets in the house. Fun? Not really!! But end result will make me happy. Cost for this: $30 plus cost of soap. My brother asked why I didn't just hire someone, or borrow his oldish spot cleaner.

I mowed the lawn yesterday. I find that highly therapeutic (not sure why). My brother asked why I didn't just hire someone, or pay my child to do it.

My mother also has some ideas on how I should entertain: such as how punch should be served, the service bowls that should hold the salad, etc, and suggested where I should purchase the cole slaw from (Culvers).

I'm finding it rather ironic that I'm able to now say (without angst) "That's a great idea. I will consider it." It acknowledges peoples valid points without stating that they may not be relevant to me. The old me would say yes and change my plans or defend my reason why I won't. Too much energy to talk sometimes.

And on a money-front:

My goal for over the summer is to acquire enough extraneous funds so I can live this month on last month's paycheck. The entire YNAB concept that confused me as to how I was going to achieve it.

Onward to clean carpets and cake orders!

8 Responses to “Open House on Saturday, Other Preparations”

  1. My English Castle Says:
    1464873637

    Good luck with the open house! Party hosting always makes me a little anxious, but it sounds like you have it covered.

  2. VS_ozgirl Says:
    1464875179

    It sounds like you have a lovely spread which should cater to everyone! Good luck. And sometimes people's tips are a good idea (took me a good 10 years to realise this!)

  3. Stephanie Says:
    1464875365

    Sounds like you got everything covered! Your kids will have fond memories of the celebration. For various reasons, we have an open house party every spring. I have learned to run with the "punches" as they occur. My only tid-bit would be consider waiting on the carpet cleaning until after the party. If you are having a lot of people, the carpets may need to be cleaned again, and heck, why do it twice if you can avoid it. (and yes, you can say "that's a great idea; I'll consider it." to me too! ). Relax and enjoy the day!

  4. laura Says:
    1464875448


    @ VS-ozgirl, I know that people's ideas are often good. Smile
    However, I've struggled with comparing myself to others and have just come to the place where I'm OK with myself and the way things are. It really has to do with how I've filtered/responded to suggestions in the past (which I've perceived - incorrectly - as criticism)

    Smile

  5. creditcardfree Says:
    1464884564

    You sound prepared and ready! I bet it will go great!!

  6. Carol Says:
    1464892633

    I think you've zeroed in on a great menu. Would a watermelon be easier for the fruit? My grandkids have been gobbling it down this spring.

  7. rob62521 Says:
    1464981265

    You have planned this open house out well. Hope it goes great!

  8. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1465061005

    Sounds like a fun party!

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