Am I The Only One Who Stresses Over Paying For The 4th?
By kittenclaus
@kittenclaus (1393)
United States
June 27, 2010 9:54am CST
Every year we host the 4th of July cook out and I've always had a huge variety of food. My online earnings always pays for this but this year I've had to use alot of those earnings for other things. Now here it is one week away and I'm stressing! You must understand I look forward to hosting this day for months. I do give out items for people to bring but this year we are not the only one's with cash flow problems. I've been racking my brain trying to figure out if we are even going to be able to do it this year. If we do it will be much less then previous years. We're talking hamburgers and hotdogs versus the above and ribs, kabobs, staek, chicken. Am I the only one stressing out like this, please tell me there are more of you out there. My hubby told me yesterday to stop worrying and give it a rest, lol. I'm even getting on his nerves! I'm not giving up, where there is a will there's a way, right?
7 responses
@sasalove (1709)
• China
28 Jun 10
Well, I think you must care too much on this party. I can understand why you will stress out when the day is upcoming. I think you require everything is perfect. I think the party synificance is for fun. It doesn't matter how much food you are going to prepare. You could design the fun games among the party that you would spend less time on eating. Or you could invite your friends to bring their food together while they come to the party. I am sure you are able to make the party fun.
@kittenclaus (1393)
• United States
28 Jun 10
People are bringing food to the party and the more I worked on it yesterday I think I've got it figured out.
Enjoy your fun.
@bounce58 (17385)
• Canada
29 Jun 10
Is it too late to ask people to bring food to the party instead? You could just coordinate and ask particular groups to bring one kind of food. This way, you still get to enjoy everything you like, but you don't have to worry about bringing everything. Anyway it is not just your celebration, it is everybody's. So I don't think everybody would mind if they each have to bring something to make the celebration more meaningful.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
27 Jun 10
I only hosted one big family gathering for the 4th one time and it was expensive! If I were you, I'd forgo the most expensive meats and go with the rest. Also, go with less expensive vegetables, drinks and desserts if you're responsible for them. Homemade iced tea is a lot cheaper than soft drinks, even the cheapest of them.
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
28 Jun 10
Hi Kittenclaus,
You sound like a friend of mine. In this economy, I'm sure you are not alone in worrying about things like this. Just make sure everyone brings something to contribute and relax. It's not just about the food. It is about getting together and enjoying each others company. Focus on that and kick back and have a good time. It'll be fun!
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
27 Jun 10
Well I'm not stressing about it because my daughter and her husband are having the party this year. However, they have decided to only go with ribs, chicken, hamburgers and hotdogs, with 3 different salads and deviled eggs. They decided to do away with the steaks. Things are hard on everyone and I would do with what you can afford and that is it. Like my daughter she is also havin others bring stuff like their favorite drink or dish. I would not go crazy over this and relax. Some how it will all work out in the end. Listen to your husband. If need be explain to your friends if they can bring something extra to the party. As for decorations my daughter was able to buy a bunch of stuff at the dollar store and everything was really nice. Good luck to you and don't stress about it.
@babygirl3605 (78)
• United States
28 Jun 10
The 4th should be about fun. Calm down and relax. It's not a big deal asking every one to bring some thing. Just make sure of what they are bring so you don't end up with five trays of deviled eggs. I love them but like other stuff to go with it. Do you have a Martins around? You don't need to spend a lot to have fun. Look around at other places to shop. Some are cheaper then others and with good quality food.
@blewis2475 (7)
• United States
27 Jun 10
We usually don't have a big party on the Fourth it mainly is just family that gets together. Even after reading your post and seeing what you usually fix for the party, you can always take the simplest hamburger and make it into a gourmet burger. Then since you asked everyone to bring something just let them know that this years party is going to be a low budget party and to bring whatever they can bring, so that everyone can get together and have a good time with family and friends.
