Hostess with the Leastest
I enjoy planning parties and get-togethers. I loved my turn(s) at planning wine and cheese for the seniors, thinking up a menu, going the extra step with darling decorative paperware, etc. Even now, there are several party ideas floating around in my head...ideas that will have to wait until I come up with a better place to entertain... and enough local friend-type people to fill a decent guest list. (Well, it's true.)
My parents' 25th anniversary is in August, and I'm pretty sure they're expecting a party. This should make me happy, right? Me, the girl who could pull off wine and cheese for 20 people in forty minutes, including the shopping? Without a car? In the rain? Uphill both ways? Over glass? On my knees?
Except even my hosting-loving self has a practical side. I estimate I could rustle up 40-50 people to wish my parents well, which I think is a pretty good size for the "big" anniversary. Problem 1: These 40-50 people cannot come here. The house itself is too small, ditto the yard, there is nowhere to park, and, hello, we have one bathroom. So obviously this will have to be an off-site event.
Problem 2: Off-site = mad expensive. I'm trying not to be naive about the cost of 40-50 people, but assorted on-line party budget calculators are giving me estimates of $1200 - 2600. I laugh crazily, because this is for shelter, food, and basic drinks. It does not include Marvo the Magician or 25 handwoven silk tapestries depicting each year of my parents' married life. Or ice.
What can I do? Cutting down the guest list is pretty lame. Skimping on the amenities is uber-lame. Seeking supplemental income from my parents or grandmother is temptingly lame.
Sometimes I HATE being an only child.
Edit:
After this entry, I went to talk to my parents about what they wanted for their anniversary. My mother snotted "I envisioned a big party, thought you'd be working. You don't have the money. I don't expect much."
Then she proceeded to make out her side of a guest list with me: 50 people off the top of her head, not including my father's side or anyone that she'll think of later. She suggested a beach party. How many rules of etiquette would it break to ask people to cough up $10 for parking? And have a back-up "rainy day" plan for roughly 75 people?
Then my father finally woke up; I asked for a guest list. He scoffed "I don't want a party. Send me somewhere. No, I don't want any parties."
Good to know the lines of communication are open in this marriage. They have until tomorrow to come up with a plan and get back to me.