I Freaked Out For A Moment Here. Would You've Freaked?
By Chevee
@Chevee (5905)
United States
January 30, 2010 3:48pm CST
We decided about a month ago to have a fifth Sunday family dinner, which is tomorrow. I decided to have it at my house this fifth Sunday. Well one member of the family with a large family of 6 decided that they would not be able to attend that Sunday because they had already made plans. Now, I am on a fixed income (not employed) and I have did all my shopping and planning within my budget for the members that are to attend tomorrow (Sunday). It is the day before and I am preparing what I have for the ones that had accepted in the beginning, now I get a phone call that the one that said the were not coming (with the family of 6), saying they would be at the dinner. I freaked out b/c I only have enough for the ones that I expected and accepted in the beginning. I am going on with my plans and I am not going to get any more or any less than I already have. They are welcome I will not turn them away, so I don't know how this is going to turn out.
How would you handle this situation?
6 people like this
11 responses
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
30 Jan 10
That is alot of people to have to add at the last minute. I think it's kind of tacky they changed at the last minute. I would probably try to add a couple of dishes of something that i had on hand & strech it out anyway i could. Good luck.
@GardenGerty (160721)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I have read quite a bit over the last year about stocking the pantry. We have some things that we always have on hand. One of them is tomato soup, which can be fancied up pretty easily, another is Bushs' Baked Beans. We buy them by the case at Sam's Club. With most meals that could be a good addition. I have instant brown rice and it can be fixed quickly and made fancy by things you can add in.
@Chevee (5905)
• United States
31 Jan 10
I know it is a family dinner, and the host has much more to do than the guest, so it is all on me, the ones that's bringing a dish said they had already prepared what they were bringing. And I had already purchased what I was preparing. I am going to be upfront with them tomorrow and this will not happen to me again.
Everyone had prepared their dish because we are all going to church tomorrow and we will not have time to prepare anything then. Wish us luck. 
1 person likes this
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Let us know how it turns out. They could always go buy a bucket of chicken or something like that to add to your meal. They should have offered to do that when they called & said they were coming. I agree w/your friend that is a whole different meal.
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Hey Chevee! Wow! Now that really isn't fair! It is one thing
to add one or two people, but a family of six! Now that is
alot! When you buy food to serve a certain amount there is
alot of stretching you would have to do to add such a large
family! That really is very unfair to you! I don't know what
you are planning for your meal, but I also don't know how
you are expected to stretch you meal for another six people!
That really was right of the person to call you at the last
minute and think that you would be alright with this!
1 person likes this
@gabs8513 (48686)
• United Kingdom
31 Jan 10
Well I would have told them that ok they can come bt as they where not coming I had not catered for them so can they please bring food with them
I think it is very rude of them to do that as you say you have budget for the amount that you knew where coming and to let you know a Day before that another 8 will be coming is very rude
I hope it goes well for you
@GardenGerty (160721)
• United States
31 Jan 10
My first mother in law always said something about pouring another cup of water in the soup. Actually, adding a course like soup before hand might be helpful. If you feel you need to, let those who are coming know, and maybe they can bring hors doerves or something to help extend the meal. I know it is hard on a fixed income. Depending on what the meal is extra rice, pasta or potatoes makes it go a little bit further. Maybe if they get fed skimpily they will not change plans so unexpectedly in the future. I know, though, that with family dinners it is more about the company around the table anyway.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
31 Jan 10
Hi Chevee,
Good grief!! well its their fault for cancelling in the first place so I would tell them to bring so food over, if not I would just make a big pot of stew and some bread rolls. I won't know how I would cope as I have never had to do cooking for a large amount of people, there has always been the two of us and we always go to my sister for any fmily gathering as my place is too far for them to travel but we go there qute often, we don't mine the long jouney.
Tamara
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (70132)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Jan 10
Living on a fixed income isn't easy. I know it's not for me. But, I'd continue to do what I could, but offer smaller portions, or at the very least ask everyone to grab a little something extra. You can't be expected to do everything by yourself. Life is tough enough as it is.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
31 Jan 10
Well, I would just go with what I had and somehow try and make it stretch to where it will feed everyone. Is there someone out of the people coming who can possibly bring something to help out with the meal? Like a side dish, etc. Sometimes that helps things a little as well. But since it is Family it does sound like it is going to be a Fun time. We are having a 5th Sunday dinner at our Church after our morning service and it will be a Great time as well.
@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
31 Jan 10
I wouldn't worry about it. Just spread out what you have among the people who arrive. I'm sure you will have plenty. If you feel like there's not enough, maybe you can add more rice or something?
@acematthews71 (1084)
• India
31 Jan 10
If I am stuck up in such situation and having really no aid that I could do myself to prevent the crisis, then to save some of my self-respect, I would try to take help of the neighbour. They are the ones that I would turn at-least turn on at the need of the hour so I won't feel bad and can go on with the arrangements!!
!!
@nicavia (46)
• Philippines
31 Jan 10
That could really be stressful especially if you're on a tight budget. What I'd do in that situation is that I'd call all the families that are coming for dinner and plan to have a potluck. Some family are fine with that, just to add some more food in the menu. You can explain what happened but you're not complaining. You're just asking for help.
