Unexpected Guests for a Dinner Party
Have you ever had unepxected guests for dinner? The other night I invited my in-laws including parents, sister, sister's new baby and her boyfriend. Boyfriend's father decided to invite himself over to boyfriend's home to see the new baby. Rather than say "oh no we have plans that night." boyfriend just invited them over and didn't tell me until a few hours beforehand.
Luckily I was able to make adjustments and since the family didn't show up until after dinner I was able to strech out serving desert for 6 into desert for 11 by serving my cobbler in ramekins so we didn't run out of food. I was was pretty peeved. I tried not to take it out on anyone since the unexpected guests were very polite as can be, but it was tough to entertain three kids age 2-5 when you don't have toys for them except for a our cat who didn't want to be played with. I tried to be a gracious hostess but inside I was kind of seething at how tacky my sister in law's boyfriend was being. I don't know why he couldn't have told me earlier.
Anyone else have similiar adventures with unexpected dinner guests? Did you have to come up with a creative solution so you wouldn't run out of food?
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11 Comments:
Any time I end up with more people than anticipated (thankfully usually not by more than like, 2-3 people), I usually just throw together a salad, whip up some hummus or baba ghanoush, and break out some bread.
I'm with you on the kid thing though. Thankfully, both times kids were over, they were about 11 and very well behaved/cool and my dog is always up to be acosted by children.
joyyy at 6:24PM on 07/20/09
I keep a full freezer and survey says A FULL CAKE already to be frosted on the fly. Make a cake and freeze it. If you don't want to frost make a coffee cake with blueberries and streusel. You can make cookies ahead of time shape them freeze them and do not bake them.
I love to entertain so unexpected company is always welcome. Kids as well. People are people they love to go visiting. It is summer expect more company.
JerzeeTomato at 6:34PM on 07/20/09
I'm with Jerzee on this one. I always make sure there is plenty in the freezer and if I dont have a big enough dessert on hand SO can always go buy some icecream in the summer ice cream makes everything better ;-)
huneybumper at 6:41PM on 07/20/09
I'm trying to figure out how your sister's boyfriend's father became 5 extra people. Who's "them" in "boyfriend just invited them over"?
I know it's not important to the story but I become fixated on these things.
Fruit is sometimes handy in these cases.
CanadianFoodieGirl at 7:07PM on 07/20/09
That's why I always cook more than what I need... "pa' que falte, que sobre..." as the saying in Spanish goes. I rather have extra food than running out. That's the exagerated Cuban-side of me.
MadelynRodriguez at 7:29PM on 07/20/09
This happens a lot and instead of kids they also bring their dogs, one person even brought a praire dog one time. That is why i usually dbl the size of things on the menu. If there is leftovers then it can be for tomorrows lunch or people can take a goodie bag home with them.
pjracz10 at 7:46PM on 07/20/09
Sorry them = boyfriend's father, his wife, and three kids.
I think that what annoyed me was that usually I make a ton of food but lately my husband and I have been trying to save money (we would like to buy a house in the next two years plus I'm going to grad school since I lost my job in the spring) so we've been buying less and trying to eat out of the cupboard and freezer.
I agree that ice cream makes everything better! I made a peach and blackberry cobbler and served it with vanilla ice cream and it was a big hit.
missjess at 7:52PM on 07/20/09
I understand both sides... I usually try to make more than enough but if it's something that's not good the next day like sushi (which people often expect me to make!) I don't want to have too much leftover.
If I'm short on food I try to make a lot of carb-y appetizers and sides to fill people up.. lol
I was annoyed when I cooked dinner for my family the unexpected guest was on Atkins diet, so he was only eating expensive sashimi!
hmw0029 at 9:13PM on 07/20/09
i know how you feel .... it has happened to me a few times, like inviting the in-laws and then they show up with the out-laws (friends of their kids, etc)... it always unnerves me because i'd never bring unexpected guests to someone's house without asking.
maybe you should mention to your sister-in-law in passing that you felt anxious about not having enough to serve all of the extra people her boyfriend brought. maybe she'll take the hint..... or the boyfriend should have stopped at brought a gallon of ice cream or a dozen donuts or something ....
pooch at 9:43PM on 07/20/09
@hmw
Oh my goodness, I can't believe anyone is so oblivious as to show up to someone's house and eat nothing but sashimi! I've been on Atkins never planned on inconveniencing someone because of a decision I made. Bah
Beanalicious1 at 11:49PM on 07/20/09
i think the more the merrier. but i can understand not having enough to serve everyone.
dearrie at 8:42PM on 07/22/09