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Anyway, an open house is really not a party for friends. A party depends upon interaction around a common theme, not someone showing up to grab a sandwich and a beer on the way to another open house.
I disagree. It's perfect for a day like New Year's day where people may want to sleep in, or have other places to go, and not know their schedule in advance. I have never heard that it is "not a party for friends." My parents did it almost every year from 1970-2000 with great success and I did it for about 5 years too. We invited maybe 30-40 people and almost everyone would drop in at some point.
I disagree. Changing the party to suit the guests when this has apparently become a nice "tradition" for all and simply because the guys didn't show up wouldn't be my solution.
What I would do is nicely address the no-shows next year by making a point to politely ask everyone to respond to the invitation and let you know exactly who's planning to attend. It's a shame to have to resort to reminding people about common manners but I'd be rather put out too if I'd made preparations to accommodate all genders and ages, only to have a bunch not show up. I'd just point out, as briefly and as diplomatically as humanly possible, that - as always - you want to make sure that everyone has enough to eat and drink and that there's neither shortage nor waste.
I think that is already the problem....Too much is expected, obvious by the hosts upset....I think a party should be fun, not mandatory....and if you are making folks feel obligated....to the point they're choosing avoidance, rather than declining...It's time to switch gears.
Perhaps one of the other's should take up the "tradition" ....Or, you should host a couple of random pot luck dinners with fewer quests.
And, many folks simply do not want a drinking party and a kids party combo....You did mention only the men didn't show up.....Do a poker night, just guys, or a couples party....or do a family party. And, switch it up....
Who knows? Maybe it's too crowded, too noisy or too much organized activity. As an adult, I've never appreciated being pressured into participating in games and activities I had no interest in. NFL playoff games and NCAA playoffs and bowls take up about five days a week in January, maybe you just missed part of the schedule. Maybe one or two of the people at the party have been intolerable boors so the easy way to avoid them is to stay home.
And maybe there's a certain egotism to be avoided in someone who is more concerned about the people who chose to stay home than the guests who came. Certainly I'd have a lot more interest in attending a party where someone other than the host made a point of telling the world that he and his wife know how to host!
Yes...I have to agree. There does seem to be an air of "holding court" threaded in the OP's posts.
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