Another Pampered Chef party

[rascalmom]

My dear neighbor is having another one! Seems she does this at least a couple of times a year. She is an amazing cook and seems to have every kitchen gadget known to man (she used to be a PC rep, but now she just has lots of parties). I went to one of her parties about a year ago - some of the stuff I bought is still in the boxes.

What am I gonna have to buy tonight? I love her - she's my friend and really helped me out after I broke my leg, so I am going because I will enjoy the evening & feel like I owe her. But I really don't need any more kitchen stuff - take out menus are more my style!

Anyone else have a friend like this? How do you handle it? Do I really need another spring-form pan? (that's one of the items still in the box)

 

[mickeyboat]

I do have friends like that. Sometimes I go to the parties, sometimes I decline.

I like quite a few PC items - I use the circle sandwich cutter almost every week, the small metal spatulas are great, and I love the chopper - so I don't have to break out the food processor for small jobs. I also use the all in one measuring cup and the batter bowls.

PC items also make great gifts.

Good luck!

Denae

 

[ntburns22]

I have a friend like this too. I flat out told her I probaly wouldn't buy anything. She was great about it. She still wanted me to come and have a couple hours out. If you do want to buy something I have a sandwich cutter . It cuts the sandwich into a circle and makes it look like the smuckers uncrustables. My DD loves her lunch packed with the special sandwiches.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

Maybe you could purchase an item as a future gift for someone else you know who likes to cook.

 

[rascalmom]

Hmm, already have the sandwich cutter. I'm sure I'll find something.

I feel bad 'cause I know she hasn't gotten a good response from her invitations. Several of our other friends have another activity tonight, so they had a legitimate excuse.

I don't mind going - she's a fun person to be around, I just would rather go out for a drink or something. I don't need more stuff & she doesn't need the money.

 

[Hannathy]

The circle cutter is a neat gadget, my DD uses ours all the time. It would be a nice gift for someone with kids. She also likes the orange scorer or peeler.

My favorite PC item is the corn butterer you put 1/2 stick of butter in and use it to butter corn on the cob. Very neat, no butter on hands, uses a lot less butter than knifes and no one is tempted to run their cob down the top of the butter in the dish. The butter stays in the holdr, put the lid on and goes into the refridgerator for next time. Inexpensive to <5.00.

I also bought one of the small bowls that you chill ahead of time and then it keeps your food cold while sitting out. Bought the small bowl I figured for dips I also was stuck going to a friend's party and really couldn't afford to spend much.
This is under 20. and I have used it.
The $1. cookbooks are nice.

 

[mickeyboat]

I don't mind going - she's a fun person to be around, I just would rather go out for a drink or something. I don't need more stuff & she doesn't need the money.

You sound just like my DH. He says " when guys want to get together, they drink a six pack in front of the tv. When women want to get together, they have to have an excuse. There is a party and everyone has to buy something, then you have a party and all of them have to buy something. Just get a six pack, it's easier and cheaper."

Denae

 

[clarabelle]

Those 1 dollar paring knives are neat. I bought one for each sister and my mom one time

 

[debaudrn]

I love, love, love the small stoneware bar pan. It fits in a toaster oven. It's great for small things. DD and DS use it daily for heating up leftovers (mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers...) It keeps that sort of stuff from going mushy. It costs about $15. Gave 5 of them for Christmas presents last year!

 

[littleclover]

They also have some really awesome dip mixers so how about those. They are so easy to make for weekend snacking.

 

[CathrynRose]

Anyone else have a friend like this? How do you handle it? Do I really need another spring-form pan? (that's one of the items still in the box)

Ive made it clear to all my friends:

* * * * I. Dont. Do. *anything*. Parties.* * * * * *

I'm notinterested in candles, "passionate"-toys, jewelry, kitchen goods, etc, etc, etc, etc.

* * * * I. Dont. Do. Parties. Period.* * * *

I HATE THEM! I hate them with a passion so deep, I cant even express it to you. !!!

I make it clear I wont be attending (no need to feel like a cheapskate, either)

Now, they need to come up with Disney-World Stuff Parties,....thats more my style.

 

[golfgal]

I have a friend that has parties for everything all the time. I finally just stopped going because I ended up with a bunch of stuff I don't use and she gets all this free stuff because of it. If I need something from Pampered Chef, I call a friend that is a rep and she adds it to someone's show. I would just tell your friend that you would love to come but you have everything you need. If people stop coming to her parties maybe she will stop having them. To me they are almost the equivalent of begging.

 

[rascalmom]

I love, love, love the small stoneware bar pan. It fits in a toaster oven. It's great for small things. DD and DS use it daily for heating up leftovers (mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers...) It keeps that sort of stuff from going mushy. It costs about $15. Gave 5 of them for Christmas presents last year!

he,he. That is the other item I have still in the box! Maybe I should get it out & give it a try. I like the idea of the chill bowl - I'll look into that.

Denae - I think your dh has the right idea!

 

[EthansMom]

If there is nothing you want to buy, then tell your friend ahead of time, "There really isn't anything I want to buy from Pampered Chef right now, but I'd love to come anyway, if you don't mind." Since you aren't planning on buying anything, offer to bring an appetizer to share.

You should take your checkbook just in case you change your mind and it would be polite to take a catalog home too, "I don't see anything I have to have right this second, but would you mind if I take a catalog home just in case I need something later?"

I do agree, though, that a PC party is a good place to buy birthday and Christmas gifts if your friends and family like their products. I have a few PC items -- love the garlic press, use it constantly! But I really don't use my PC bakeware much.

 

[puffkin]

I bought the Apple Wedger at the last party I was at and I really like it. I use it almost every day and it was only around $10. They also have some good cookbooks that make great gifts. I also like the self sharpening paring knives and we also got the pitcher that has the stirrer built in. Very handy.

I would tell her that you would love to come but you really don't think you need anything right now....she will probably still love to have you there. Take a book and maybe you will see something either for yourself or as a potential gift.....but I wouldn't feel obligated to buy. And, you know you will get some good food out of attending.....

 

[Fredd's Girl]

Anytime I have had a Pampered Chef, Mary Kay, Tupperware, etc etc party, it generally has been for a friend who just started selling, or because a friend needed a booking to get what they wanted. I always tell my girlfriends not to feel obligated to buy, but come to hang out and socialize. Then I always let the host know they won't be retiring off of my party and not to pressure anyone. I know some of my girlfriends don't have alot of expendable funds to just buy something for the sake of buying it.

Having said that, the Dill Mix that Pampered Chef has is AWESOME!!

There's a Philadelphia Cream Cheese recipe that I make that I use it in. Take a package of crescent rolls, a block of cream cheese, the dill mix, and an egg white. Fold out the crescent rolls into a square cover the block of cream cheese in the dill mix, fold the cream cheese up in the crescent roll, lightly was the top with an egg white, stick it in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes or the top browns and serve on crackers. It's AWESOME!!

Alot of the seasonings are actually really good. I toss em on chicken and stick it in the oven.

Go and have fun, and don't feel pressured to buy. It should be a fun time!

 

[SamIAm21]

I have an aunt who when invited to a in-home party of any sort would respond to the invitation so nicely. She always said, I would love to come for cake and conversation! It was a nice way of saying she wouldn't be purchasing anything, but would like to come for the festivities. She is always very gracious and has a knack for putting a positive spin on everything!

If she did purchase something it was great, but she felt under no obligation to do so!

 

[beckmrk04]

I agree with everyone else. I hate feeling like I have to buy something. Especially since a lot of PC's stuff is out of my budget. BUT- I love the twix-it clips. Use them on everything!!!

 

[binny]

OY I hear ya! I have OCASSIONAL party but most of my friends have gotten away from that type of thing thankfully.

 

[LadyyRedd]

The new catalog came out today. It's got cute summer colors in it. They also have a "can collander" in it. It's a collander that is the size of a can and fits right over the top of the can so you can just turn it upside down and drain. I need one of those!!!!!!!

Kimya