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       #Post#: 13302--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: LifeOnPluto Date: September 8, 2018, 2:58 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I'm with the posters who say that if the goal of this
       get-together is to meet his friends, 10pm on a Friday night is
       an odd time to do it. I think an afternoon BBQ or something
       would be much better.
       Definitely take your cues from what your son wants, in terms of
       food. Speaking personally, if I had been invited over to a
       friend's place at the age of 18-21 to hang out at 10pm on a
       Friday night, and his mother had made elaborate salads and bowls
       of chilli and stews, I would have found it quite weird!
       #Post#: 13307--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: Contrarian Date: September 8, 2018, 6:38 am
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I just can’t imagine a meal of ziti, or chilli or anything heavy
       at ten o’clock at night.
       I know the kids just got off work and usually eat burgers at
       that time, but even when you’re in you’re twenties that’s a bad
       habit.
       Not that I’m suggesting anything of the sort should be conveyed
       to the son!
       It’s just that’s where the strangeness of the event is with me,
       the 10pm bit. If I’m awake at that hour my eyes will be
       struggling to stay open. I’m another one that would prefer an
       afternoon casual bbq type of thing.
       However, Mom21son and her son have planned it that way so it
       must work for them. I’d be serving something light like veggie
       sticks, cheese and crackers and fruit.
       #Post#: 13334--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: Lilac Date: September 8, 2018, 2:05 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       We live in a 24/7 world, and many people have schedules and
       lifestyles outside the 9-5 world.  Perhaps they don't get up
       till noon, so to them 10 p.m. is about what 6 p.m. is to a
       person who rises at 8 a.m.
       I know other people -- and not so young at that -- who go out on
       weeknights/worknights at 9 p.m. or later to get-togethers, clubs
       and bars.  Staying up till 1 or 2 a.m. is normal to them, even
       if they have to rise at 7 or so for work or school.
       Where I live there are bars that open at 7 a.m. so that
       overnight shift workers can pop in for a couple of beers, a
       burger and socializing when they get off work.
       #Post#: 13337--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: LurkingGurl Date: September 8, 2018, 3:08 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=LifeOnPluto link=topic=660.msg13302#msg13302
       date=1536393508]
       I'm with the posters who say that if the goal of this
       get-together is to meet his friends, 10pm on a Friday night is
       an odd time to do it. I think an afternoon BBQ or something
       would be much better.
       Definitely take your cues from what your son wants, in terms of
       food. Speaking personally, if I had been invited over to a
       friend's place at the age of 18-21 to hang out at 10pm on a
       Friday night, and his mother had made elaborate salads and bowls
       of chilli and stews, I would have found it quite weird!
       [/quote]
       Her son is the one who suggested it!
       And if his friends are also "boys" in the 18-21 group, I don't
       know that there is an hour of the day that they wouldn't be
       hungry.  My son and his friends were like a swarm of locusts.
       They could show up at 1 in the morning and strip my fridge in a
       matter of minutes--microwaving, making coffee, etc.
       
       I don't know that there is anything "elaborate" about putting
       out a pot of chili or stew.  And if someone thinks it's weird,
       who cares?!!
       The thing in the OP that points to her needing to put out
       something more substantial than veggies or Cheetos is that they
       usually go for burgers.  If they are usually hungry for burgers
       after work, they are going to want something more than a crudité
       platter and a bag of chips.
       #Post#: 13341--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: caroled Date: September 8, 2018, 3:55 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       I agree with the last 2 posters.
       Her son suggested it and is seeking out her help and input, and
       that is what she is trying to do. She hasn't asked for people to
       tell her how weird they think it would be if they were in a
       similar situation, just help planning a menu.
       I don't think it would be an odd situation at all... to go to a
       coworker/friend's home, and meet some of his family, especially
       as they are likely to be there, as they are the homeowners. If I
       had a child and they wanted to bring over friends who seemed to
       not want to meet or interact with me even on the most basic
       level, in my own home, I would find that more odd. Young people
       need to learn how to interact in all types of social situations
       and this is just a different , more relaxed version of that.
       I think a lot of posters have given good suggestions and Mom
       has come up with a few herself.  I think asking son what he
       would / thinks his friend would like is the way to go.  I know
       when I was younger, my brothers and their friends would descend
       on our house like a swarm of locust, and would eat anything that
       was available. They loved her cooking, whether it was a huge pot
       of spaghetti or a stew or just sandwiches and chips.
       She cared about them as people and to this day many many years
       later can still tell of certain times they spent with us.  One
       young man came out to her years before he told anyone because
       she was always so kind to him.
       Getting to know your children's friends and social circle is not
       a bad thing.
       #Post#: 13345--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: MOM21SON Date: September 8, 2018, 4:55 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       Thank you everyone.
       Yes this was DS's idea as well as the time and day.  Many times
       they don't even go out until 10 or 11.
       I have no intention of hanging out. I have the intention of
       greeting them and telling them to make themselves at home and
       show them to the food.
       I asked DS about Ziti and he said, exact words, "I was thinking
       of making lasagna."  Then he reminded me that he gets off early
       of Fridays and will have time to prepare the food for his 10:30
       pm guests.  Then he asked if he could set up his Xbox in the
       living room.
       Thanks again!
       #Post#: 13348--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: Contrarian Date: September 8, 2018, 5:53 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=Lilac link=topic=660.msg13334#msg13334
       date=1536433534]
       We live in a 24/7 world, and many people have schedules and
       lifestyles outside the 9-5 world.  Perhaps they don't get up
       till noon, so to them 10 p.m. is about what 6 p.m. is to a
       person who rises at 8 a.m.
       I know other people -- and not so young at that -- who go out on
       weeknights/worknights at 9 p.m. or later to get-togethers, clubs
       and bars.  Staying up till 1 or 2 a.m. is normal to them, even
       if they have to rise at 7 or so for work or school.
       Where I live there are bars that open at 7 a.m. so that
       overnight shift workers can pop in for a couple of beers, a
       burger and socializing when they get off work.
       [/quote]
       I am aware that others keep a different schedule.
       I used to work nights way back when...but I assumed I was
       dealing with a 24 hour household, it’s usually 1 or 2 people.
       I’m not sure where I went too far with agreeing an afternoon so
       would be better.  I regret the silly response.
       #Post#: 13360--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: jpcher Date: September 8, 2018, 9:48 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       [quote author=MOM21SON link=topic=660.msg13345#msg13345
       date=1536443748]
       Thank you everyone.
       Yes this was DS's idea as well as the time and day.  Many times
       they don't even go out until 10 or 11.
       I have no intention of hanging out. I have the intention of
       greeting them and telling them to make themselves at home and
       show them to the food.
       I asked DS about Ziti and he said, exact words, "I was thinking
       of making lasagna."  Then he reminded me that he gets off early
       of Fridays and will have time to prepare the food for his 10:30
       pm guests.  Then he asked if he could set up his Xbox in the
       living room.
       Thanks again!
       [/quote]
       MOM21SON -- from reading your previous posts about your son it
       sounds like you and he have an awesome relationship, much like
       me and my DDs. I have no doubt that he brags about you and says
       "You gotta meet my mom!" After all, this party was his idea.
       That means something to me.
       And your son, being who he is, probably has a great set of
       friends. Young people that I do encourage you to get to know.
       It's not like they're 15 and, when at that age, feel like your
       presence will be a policing effort type of thing. It's just
       people getting to know people.
       Absolutely no need to make yourself scarce. Enjoy the party that
       your son is planning and enjoy meeting his friends.
       When my DD#1 went to college she sometimes asked if she could
       have a party at our house so that I could meet her friends. In
       fact, that's how I met her BFsam before they were BF/GF.
       I'm hosting a party at the end of October and my DD#2 (24yrs
       old) asked me if she could invite some of the friends that she
       works with so that I could meet them.
       A few weeks ago two friends of my DDs from HS stopped by (DDs
       weren't here). It was a surprise, but I invited them in, gave
       them hugs and we spent a couple of hours just chatting and
       having a good time.
       I think it's important to become friends with your children's
       friends. I don't remember how long ago it was that you moved to
       Texas, but from your OP it sounds like you miss the revolving
       door. It sounds like your son misses it as well.
       Lasagna! A perfect dish! Include garlic bread and maybe a garden
       salad. Make sure you have plenty of drinks (iced tea, soda,
       water) and possibly some chips-like snack for during the gaming.
       Enjoy! Please keep us posted, let us know how it went. ;D
       #Post#: 13425--------------------------------------------------
       Re: Please help me plan a get together for 18-21 year olds.
       By: dani321 Date: September 10, 2018, 1:52 pm
       ---------------------------------------------------------
       As I was reading through the comments, after the first update
       about the baked ziti, I was going to suggest making that, but
       double checking with your son first to make sure he thought it
       was a good idea, and it looks like that's already been taken
       care of. Really I just commented to say that you must be an
       awesome mom! Neither I nor my brother would have wanted to do
       anything like that at your son's age, and if my mom even
       suggested it, we would have looked at her like she had 3 heads
       (she's great! We just wouldn't have been into it at all). It
       says a lot about you that your 20 year old son 1. wants his
       friends to meet and know his mom, and 2. is totally cool with
       doing this on a Friday night, when other kids are out partying
       etc. I hope you have super stretchy arms because you need to
       give yourself a pat on the back for such a great job  ;D
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