For years our neighborhood association had big parties twice a year.
The Social Committee handled everything. One of the committee members made colorful fliers; another personally delivered them to each of the thirty-six houses. All of us helped arrange the tables and folding chairs. We spread the tablecloths, decorated the clubhouse, and made flower arrangements for the tables.
For the summer party, we bought fried chicken and hamburger patties for barbecuing in the parking area. Committee members ordered the buns, cake, and ice cream bars and then picked them up. Everyone else brought the side dishes and wine or beer. We made the coffee.
The Christmas party took place at night with a different menu. The Social Committee decorated the clubhouse with cedar boughs and poinsettias and used red and green tablecloths. We put up a tree with gifts piled below, each one chosen for a specific needy child and his or her parent.
The parties were great! Besides being fun and tasty, they were a good opportunity to keep in touch with our neighbors.
But then … two things happened.
COVID.
And, our long-time Social Committee chairman moved away.
No one wanted to catch COVID, naturally. But even more problematic in the long run, no one wanted to chair the Social Committee.
For a couple of years, we languished, waiting for COVID to disappear and for someone to volunteer to run the Committee.
Then one day, a week or so before Thanksgiving, a message arrived—no fancy flier personally delivered, just a simple email. There was to be a party at the clubhouse. Homemade cookies and wine. Bring something for the Edmonds Food Pantry or simply write a check.
So that evening, I wrote out a check, put on my sneakers and jeans, a sweater, a touch of lipstick and some earrings, and walked down the hill to the clubhouse.
No tablecloths or flower arrangements, not even folding chairs. Just cookies and wine and a fun evening with my neighbors.
Our old parties were great. But sometimes less is more. More cookies and wine and neighborhood chit-chat are just fine with me.
Nicki, what a great idea with this easier no-fuss, no-frills get together and it’s wonderful that you had such a good time, chat and enjoyment of catching up with each other. Do you think this will become a regular event? I am definitely of the mind that less is more. Last year my brother had a big birthday party which was fun but so draining – I’ve never started so many conversations which never finished!
Yes. It looks like this will become a more-or-less regular event. We’ve already had a second gathering at the Clubhouse.
Some people like larger birthday parties than others. They might even feel letdown if the event is too low key. It’s a lot of work for someone, though. I like to meet and talk to old friends and new acquaintances, but you can only have a good conversation with so many people within the time of a party.
As I live in a neighborhood of single family homes and most residents are retirees, since we lived here, we tried a couple of holiday parties, but so many of the snow-birds are south now. The only gathering that still gets a good crowd is our mid summer “neighbors night out” party. We only stopped a couple of years during covid, but we did make the menu simpler after that. Our grill chef wanted a break, so now we bake frozen Costco lasagna to accompany all the potluck dishes. Everyone has been fine with it! Of course the socializing is the best part!
Isn’t it nice to have an easy way to get to know your neighbors–not just the ones across the street or next door, but also those a little farther away. It’s especially good to have an organized activity when you’re new to the neighborhood. Costco lasagna sounds good.
Ah! Snowbirds. Here in the northern part of the country, when the weather turns cold, there are always a few neighbors who fly south.
We live in a VERY active community ~ during the season (November to May), we have two potlucks a month (just for our street of 100 homes), plus other gatherings for the entire community of 700 homes ~ morning coffee klatches, afternoon Bridge, evening Bridge, duplicate Bridge, Mah Jong, happy hours with live music, a talent show, an arts & craft show, a chorale concert, golf gatherings, tennis outings, decorating parties, pool parties, water aerobics, shuffleboard tournaments, pizza and game nights, etc.
For me, it’s a bit much. 😀
Oh, my goodness! That would be a bit much for me too. At least you have a lot to choose from. I imagine you have two or three favorites.
The community here is a real mix, with lots being young people who are only here short-term and move on after 6-12 months, and just a few oldies like us and my good friend. In fact I don’t recognise about half the residents in our own block now. It’s a shame, as I like chatting to people but we knew what we were getting into on our first day here, when only one person (my now friend) spoke to us and the rest just blanked us.
I’m with Autumn in that I like the prettifying, but casual socialising works for me too so there’s not a heavy load on any one person (it used to be me!)
We had lots of parties when we lived abroad. Everyone did because we all had maids to help. (I think you’re familiar with the situation.) It was fun, especially because the people we knew were from various parts of the world and could introduce us to a variety of cuisines. Now I’m much older and a widow, so I’m glad I’m glad to live in a community where the houses are close together and the dinner parties are few.
With Christmas right around the corner, I’ll be busy decorating my own house and preparing for family dinners and outings. So I’m glad the neighborhood socializing will be easy and yet still pleasant.
The company is the most important part of a party for sure. But–not gonna lie!–I do enjoy and appreciate festive decorations and finery. My favorite part of hostessing is making everything look pretty, even if it does mean more work. Finding volunteers to do anything these days is difficult, even when it’s a worthy cause. Folks are tapped out after COVID.
Back in the days of our elaborate neighborhood parties, I was in charge of the flower arrangements for a while. And that was fun. And when the whole place was put together, we’d all stand back and exclaim, “Isn’t it lovely!” Besides, it was fun to work together. But now, under the new regime, I’ve already received another email: a cookies and wine party at the clubhouse in a couple of weeks.
I’m with you
Casual get-togethers are great … and less stressful.
That’s perfect. Sometimes we let get things become overwhelming and then no one wants to do them. Adjusting works!
It happens little by little. When it starts to become overwhelming, someone or something has to stop it. Better if it’s not COVID, of course.
Beautiful, Nicki! 😄😄 I’m so glad that your neighbors got together again. And I totally agree that less is more. This Thanksgiving, there were ten of us. Usually way more were invited. But with ten we could all fit around one table rather than having to sit at multiple tables. And we weren’t overrun with a bunch of sides. We were all just glad to be together. That’s the way your Christmas party seemed to be.
I have you beat, L. Marie. We only had six for Thanksgiving. We weren’t overrun with sides, and we still had plenty to eat. In fact, my grandson was able to finish off several dishes, so we didn’t have to worry too much about leftovers.