Social Obligations and Children's Birthday Parties

[callistra]

Ok, so I managed to avoid inviting the whole class. And I also managed to avoid going to the bowling alley. (Would have required the staff to appear and talk to me during the 15 minutes I wandered folornly around their open venue.) And I forgot to get the giant blow up bowling ball etc, not that I am terribly upset about that.

And allwas good with the world. And then I had a phone call. M and R were coming to the party (twins) and I made mention of the after party BBQ and their parent said "Cool, do you want me to bring anything?" and I was like 'Nah, it should be fine.." and anyway, end result I eventually said 'meat.'

I felt like I lost some of her confidence in me as I hemmed and hawed. I had everything sorted for goodness sake. I doubt I have let any one leave here hungry before. But this isn't the focus of my post.

The focus of my post is the feeling of "oh dear gods, now I have to do a good job of a kids party. There's outsiders coming. I have to get softdrink and more party food and make sure there's a new candle OMG this sucks" which was certainly an unusual series of thoughts for me. But every one else is already trained to how I work. I don't think any of you expect me to have softdrinks anymore. It's just something I always forget! (Which reminds me, I have wine ready for mulling! Yay!) Plus I drink water! Or booze! And I got lots of junk food. I did buy the softdrink.  And I had to buy meat. I was planning on buying meat, but now I had to make sure it was delicious meat. :) So there's chicken wings marinating, rump steak marinating, and chicken legs to be roasted. Plus I had to buy extra salad ingredients to up the level a little. I was just going to make every one eat bread, but now there's strangers coming so I'm making 2 salads. I also bought ice and wood, too.

This is amusing me even as I see it as a bit of social anxiety. I don't have much luck making friends in my own suburb. I just hope this goes well. :)

Comments

[transcendancing]

It will all work out wonderfully - and I think it's understandable that when it involves anyone outside a comfort zone that our inclination is to make a bit more effort and come out at some kind of perceived minimum benchmark. (I still do this when the boys or Hipikat stay over).

*loves*

[callistra]

Yeah, I suppose. I don't get the 'lift' or 'spark' to my day when doing this for strangers like I do for certain people.
:) Maybe that's why I am whiny about it LOL

[transcendancing]

Entirely possible and understandable :)

[gotica]

*hugs* Social events can be daunting! I remember the birthday dinner I did, I wanted it to be perfect regardless of who was attending!

I'm actually inclined to do more for friends than I am for strangers.

I'm sure no matter what, the lil grommit will be over the moon for his special day ^_^

[callistra]

For friends I like to be really organized and do special things directly for them. It's more the social pressure of what is expected from society at large that's annoying me, I think.