Anyone heard of "Clean Up Day" as a Gift?

[LIFERBABE]

My BFF, received an invitation for a milestone birthday celebration for one of her close friends. (We have socialized together in the past)

It consists of a dinner at a local restaurant this saturday (we pay for ourselves), a clean up day at the GOH's house the following saturday from 9am to noon, and then a dinner that night (we pay for ourselves).

Is this something new? We are all supposed to pick a room to help clean/decorate.

I tried to google this but dont know what its really called.

Are we still supposed to bring a gift?

Im not sure if the GOH requested this, or if some of her closer friends identified a need and offered to help.

I have the option to attend, and want to do something because the GOH was there for my milestone birthday several years ago, so I would like to participate.
I've never heard of this, and BFF and I were discussing chipping in and sending a housekeeper in our place.

 

[happymommy]

Sounds like a lot to me. I'd go with chipping in for a cleaner I guess. Or just do the cleaning, but what's with the dinners???

 

[scrapquitler]

It consists of a dinner at a local restaurant this saturday (we pay for ourselves), a clean up day at the GOH's house the following saturday from 9am to noon, and then a dinner that night (we pay for ourselves).

Is this something new? We are all supposed to pick a room to help clean/decorate.

I tried to google this but dont know what its really called.

Are we still supposed to bring a gift?

I think the pitching in and helping to clean/decorate IS the gift.

I have to ask -- does the planner think that the GOH needs to declutter/clean up/organize her life and want to send a message? Does the GOH know about this plan to clean her house? Does the GOH like this idea?

I would be mortified by this idea if I were the GOH.

 

[brymolmom]

I think the pitching in and helping to clean/decorate IS the gift.

I have to ask -- does the planner think that the GOH needs to declutter/clean up/organize her life and want to send a message? Does the GOH know about this plan to clean her house? Does the GOH like this idea?

I would be mortified by this idea if I were the GOH.

To each her own...I personally would LOVE it if I was the GOH! I have a few rooms that need painting at this moment and if my close friends wanted to do this for me for my 40th next year - I'd go buy the paint AND spring for the dinnner afterward!! Woo-hoo! And, it would be way better than all the gag gifts and gift certificates (although I do love GC's - would just love to see my powder room, family room and living room newly painted more with the gift of their time and talent).

Of course, I would clean a LOT before they came to do it. I don't see anyone else needing to clean my baseboards for me!

I'd put a couple to work restaining the deck/swingset and the rest all painting!

 

[okeydokey]

I think both dinners out of your own pocket and a day of work would be more than enough for a gift. I mean, why the two dinners. Even if it was my birthday, if I had a bunch of folks working at my home, I would provide them lunch.

 

[luvsJack]

We do that, but its for our 76 year old mom and its mostly for her yard and pool area. She has a huge yard that she has filled with flower beds, a built in pool that is surrounded by oak trees that shed constantly. So we clean it all up and start getting the pool ready for summer because she is not able to do any of any more. And then we have a cookout. But, like I said, its our mom.

I wouldn't mind doing the same for someone else but not sure I would want this for myself.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I used to clean houses for a living and someone bought a home. As a gift I gave them a free cleaning. They were thrilled.

 

[cluvsdisney]

Why are there two dinners? What kind of work will you be doing at the GOH's house? Is this a surprise for the GOH?

I have never heard of anything like that. I think it's really strange and kind of rude to "invite" people to work and pay for two celebratory dinners over 2 weekends. I would be mortified if someone planned a birthday celebration like this for me.

I would just do the dinner the first Saturday and bring a birthday gift and call it a day.

 

[LIFERBABE]

My BFF is the Ms Manners type. She is very traditional, no children, sends Thank you cards, remembers birthdays, etc. She does not put budget before good taste, so often times she is not privy to planning others celebration because they think she is too extravagant. I don't feel this way, she just values her friends and wants to show she cares.

The GOH's coworkers planned the dinners and clean up day. The first for a quieter setting and the second a little more rowdy, relaxed. I guess the guests invited to the clean up day are invited for the 2nd dinner.

I try to be a little more open to new ideas as I know people are different and enjoy different things, that is why I asked the question here. I don't want to dismiss it if that is what the GOH wants, but I also don't want to offend by sending Molly Maids to her house next weekend! Lol!

Not sure how I would feel either, but we don't want to ruin the surprise if it is 1 by asking, and we don't want to offend the GOH if this is what she wants.

I wasn't sure if this was a recent wave sweeping the nation or if I missed an Oprah episode where this is the new thing.

We are all professionals with decent careers although the GOH is a single mom with a small child.

 

[momxx5]

I wrote a whole post and it went to webwonderland.

So, the point is, how would the GOH feel about y;all in her house.....every nookk & crany. While your intentions may be good (excellent) I know I would feel uneasy about the whole thing especially if it was a "suprise, we are coming to clean your home NOW". Who know maybe the baby through up, the diaperpail is over filled and the bathrooms are yucky because she was not having anyone over. Personally I like to do a few things before anyone comes to clean...straighten up a bit, put away my stack of bill due, etc. So. would that mean that I would have to be out of the house for the afternoon? Not really liking the idea.....awesome in theory, not so hot in practically(sp?)

Maybe a better opions.....dinner out with group of friends one night and then the nexy day....anyone up for it can oin.....starting with awesome coffer house with great breakfast, then off to mani/pedoi (easily to hand) topped off by an afternoon wine and cheese brunch/snacks. Everyone participates, no one has to clean the bathrooms and GOH would much rather spend that time with you.

I know I would feel terribly uncomfortable with y:all pulling up to my house with your mops and buckets. I'd be freaking and DH would not allow it...."what do they think we live in a pig stye) Uggg. A service would be nicer but then DH would be worried they'd be touching all our stuff. SO simply no fun for me.

A better idea is to start a new tradition. Celebrate all the birthdays twiice a year. All summer birthdays are celebrated up North. Everyone travels, rents a condo for some city life & shopping, or a house on a lake to relax and have crab boils. All winder birthdays are celebrated down SOUTH....a nice big house right on the ocean with lots of longs walks on beach, steaks & shrimp grilled out. Everyone does a bit of something and no one feels obligated to doing everything. God times had by all.
Then you come home more refreshed and ready to handle all the daily stuff again.

Keep us posted and lets see how it all turn out.

 

[maggiew]

Personally I would not send a maid in my place, for many reasons. First, wouldn't it be ackward if you send a maid in your place but your other coworkers are there cleaning beside the maid?? It would seem like you are too good to get your hands dirty. Second, it seems the "gift" is the cleaning and somehow buying your way out of the gift seems wrong. Although that is a strange sentiment because normally you "buy" a gift. But somehow it seems wrong to me to buy your way out.

I also would NOT participate in this event unless I knew it was what the GOH wanted. I think a group of people showing up at a house to clean really sends the message that we think you need help and your house is filthy.

Is this a clean up day - like clean her toilets - or is it a paint the fence kind of thing??? It all is really strange to me.

When I read the title before I opened the thread I was expecting this to be about cleaning up a park or something as the birthday gift. I would really like that kind of gift. If all my friends would donate their afternoon to do some restoration of a prairie or something as my gift, I would be all for that. I don't need any more trinkets, but the woodlands could use some work. Although I wouldn't probably ever suggest a party like this.

Maggie

 

[MissUndastood]

When I read the title before I opened the thread I was expecting this to be about cleaning up a park or something as the birthday gift. I would really like that kind of gift. If all my friends would donate their afternoon to do some restoration of a prairie or something as my gift, I would be all for that. I don't need any more trinkets, but the woodlands could use some work. Although I wouldn't probably ever suggest a party like this.

Maggie

I thought the same.

As for the OP, it's a little "out there" if you will, for a party.

 

[kirstenb1]

the whole idea of someone else cleaning my house as a birthday gift is just foreign. I'd be upset if this were a surprise. After all, who wants to spend their precious weekend time cleaning their own house, then come over and do someone else's?

I could see if the birthday girl were doing some type of renovation to the house, and the project had gotten overwhelming....then if a group came over to help get it back on track for a day, that would be a very generous use of their time.

But just routine cleaning, no way!!!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

This is weird... i mean i could see doing a volunteer activity but not cleaning someone house.

 

[abbyndrewmom]

I think a lot has to do with the way it is presented. If it is presented as we know you are a single mother and we all want to help with your spring cleaning so you can spend more time with your child that is one thing. However it can easily come across as we don't think you are doing a very good job of keeping your house and we are coming in to fix that.

I think it is probably a very nice idea but can't imagine how I would feel seeing all my friends show up to clean my house, especially if it was a surprise. I would be mortified and dh would be having a fit! I think a better idea would be to all chip in for a professional spring cleaning package that could be booked at her convenience and not a total surprise. I still think this can send a mixed message but at least she has time to plan and hide anything she doesn't want other people seeing.

If I were you I would find out how much the birthday girl knows, if it was her idea go for it. If it is a surprise maybe you and your friends should send a paid housekeeper over a few days ahead of time. She might appreciate that more than anything!

Allison

 

[LIFERBABE]

Ok, I can stop feeling crazy! It seemed foreign to me also, but I thought I would ask before dismissing it.

I will try to find out more and will post an update.

Thanks everyone

 

[hopemax]

DH's family did this for "Grammy." Everyone came over and they cleaned and repaired things in the house from top to bottom. Since she is getting up there in age, she isn't as able to get in all the nooks and crannies anymore.

But that's the only context I've heard of this. Families doing it for an elderly, less mobile person.

 

[NotUrsula]

I've only seen this done for elderly persons and persons who had recently become disabiled, and the activity wasn't typical cleaning, it was home maintenance, such as painting and landscaping, or the addition of certain disability gadgets to make their lives easier.

 

[Fantastic4]

We are all professionals with decent careers although the GOH is a single mom with a small child.[/QUOTE]


The fact that she's a single mom is what stands out to me. Normally I might think it's weird but being an Army wife... infantry at that so he's gone all the time...I could see going in and helping her out. I personally wouldn't want someone to come into my house and clean but that's just me. I don't like people touching my things. BUT this may be something she's talked about with her co-workers and that's why they planned it.

I think the best option is to contact whomever sent the invite. If they are just guessing that's what she wants but really want to help her out I would suggest yard work. That's what usually stresses me out when the DH is gone. And it's not so invasive.

I wouldn't bring an added gift though. The dinners and cleaning are the gift.

 

[squirrel]

Seems a little weird to me.

I can see a deck party, gardening party or something like that. But I would want to feed the workers dinner (pizza or something like that).

I can't imagine having friends over to clean my house. Bad enough when my mom decides to come over and clean/organize!