Your cart is currently empty!
When Did We Stop RSVP-ing?
Let’s be real: modern etiquette is in serious decline, and I think we can blame smartphones, social media, and Millennials glued to their screens. Take my last gathering, for example. We sent out invites to 30 people. Two responded right away to say they couldn’t make it (out of town). Out of the remaining 28, 13 let me know they’d be there the day before, while four declined. Then, four more texted the morning of the event saying they’d come, and one even messaged me during the party to say, “Hey, looks like I’m not going to make it,” as if he was escaping a prison break and just couldn’t keep up the charade any longer. The rest? Total silence—maybe they vanished into thin air.
Honestly, this drives me up the wall. I put a lot of effort into hosting: I clean the house, stash away embarrassing stuff, and scrub the soap dish—yeah, you read that right. I scrubbed the soap dish. I even tackle the chocolate smudges left by sticky toddler hands on the shower curtain because, apparently, my husband thinks chocolate in the bathroom is a no-go.
But the worst part? The food prep. I’ve ended up with leftover hams, fancy doily-wrapped legs of mystery meat, and stale holiday cookies. I’ve run out of snacks within the first hour because suddenly everyone decides they want to join. I guess this is just how parties work nowadays—an impromptu flash mob of socializing.
How to Navigate the RSVP Chaos
So how do we host these gatherings when RSVP-ing feels like an afterthought? We love our friends, even if they can’t decide their weekend plans by Tuesday (full confession: I’m guilty of that too). But it would be nice to have a clue about the headcount. The most disheartening sight is a lonely turducken staring back at you for days on end.
To get some perspective, I chatted with Jamie Collins, a cook and party expert behind The Ultimate Meal, who knows how to throw a memorable bash. She has this relaxed vibe that I really admire—something I definitely need to channel.
I asked her for tips on how to navigate this RSVP chaos. She said, “First off, boost your RSVPs. I get great responses because I hype my parties in the invites. Make it sound like there’s going to be something exciting happening—like bears on roller skates! Set high expectations. Use enticing details about the menu and drinks to get people excited.”
Alright, so fizzy wine and dancing bears it is! But what about managing the food situation and avoiding my leftover turducken dilemma?
“Out with the fancy fish, in with the sausages,” she advised. “The kind of dinner parties I used to have just don’t work anymore. I recently had a dinner for six planned, and it ballooned to 13 last minute. I had to dash to the butcher for sausages, and they saved the day! Now I focus on meals that can be frozen or are easy to prepare. Think braises or picnic-style charcuterie platters—cheese, bread, and all that good stuff.”
So, it’s official: I’m stocking up on sausages, ham, and rolls in the freezer for future gatherings. Maybe I’ll even throw a pulled-pork party to keep things interesting!
Coping with Last-Minute RSVPs
Finally, I asked Jamie about coping with the frustration of last-minute RSVPs. She took a moment and gently said, “If you can’t handle people replying at the last minute, you might need to reassess how you handle life’s little bumps. Keeping a positive outlook can encourage others to be more considerate too.”
In the end, we all want to keep socializing, even when the RSVP game feels like a gamble. If you want to dive deeper into the world of home insemination, you can check out some of our other posts on this topic, like this one on home insemination kits.
Summary
In today’s world, RSVP-ing has practically become extinct, thanks to modern technology and social habits. Hosting a party can be stressful when guests fail to respond, but with the right strategies—like enticing invitations and flexible food options—you can still have fun and enjoy time with friends.