Grandma wants to go out for Easter

[phamy76]

My grandmother wants to take the whole family out for dinner on Easter.
It would be my sister's family (2 adults, 3 kids), grandma, dad and us (2 adults, 1 preteen, and 1 kid).

Kids are free at this restaurant. My son would be 1/2 price. Grandma and dad are seniors and get $3 off. But, when I do the math in my head (buffet plus drinks plus mandatory 18% gratuity on holidays), it's over $150.

Then, it's in a restaurant, you can't "relax" and socialize, hold the kids, etc.

I'd much rather invite everyone over to our house. It would only cost $60 for dinner, everyone could hang out and relax, kids can play on the ground/with toys.

To me $150 is too much money, and we'd only get to be together for 1 1/2 hrs, most of it spent getting food and eating. Where, at our house, there would be play time, relaxing.

How do I talk them in to it?

 

[Luvchefmic]

I think you put it very well & would say this to Grandma exactly as you just did

 

[sk!mom]

If you offer to host would they need to be "talked into it?"

What do you usually do? I can see that if grandma has been hosting and doesn't feel up to it that she might prefer going out but if someone else offers to take on the responsibility then I can't imagine that they'd need to be persuaded.

Just say what you've said here... Less expensive, more relaxed time to visit and hangout, room for the kids to move around, etc...

 

[It's A Small World]

I side with you. My kid's are really good in restaurants, BUT I tend to NOT RELAX because I'm watching them like a hawk to make sure they don't disturb anyone. I'm usually the one hosting. It still is a lot of work for me, but I'm able to relax more.

 

[C.Ann]

I've never enjoyed holiday meals out in a restaurant..

I would make the offer to host dinner and hope that Grandma takes you up on it..

 

[scrapquitler]

if Grandma is inviting and paying, and wants to do this, then I think that everyone should let Grandma have what she wants. If you think that going out isn't going to give enough socializing time, then invite everyone to your house for coffee afterwards.

 

[okeydokey]

I think if Grandma wants to host you all at a restaurant, you should accept her generous invitation. She probably doesn't feel up to cooking and hosting you all for a home meal and this she can do. As long as it's not financially difficult for her, I think you all say say thanks and do it. Maybe you can suggest having desert at your house afterward so people who want to can visit for a while longer.

 

[drcmk]

My experiences eating holiday meals in restaurants have been pretty awful. Mother's Day is the worst, but Easter is a close second. The restaurants are crowded and even with a reservation, we've had to wait a long time for our table and for our food. The tables are shoved close together, the menus are limited and it isn't relaxing. The kitchens are overwhelmed and rushed and make more mistakes. I hope you get to stay home.

 

[kathie859]

if Grandma is inviting and paying, and wants to do this, then I think that everyone should let Grandma have what she wants. If you think that going out isn't going to give enough socializing time, then invite everyone to your house for coffee afterwards.

This is a nice compromise. Everyone gets what they want.

This past Thanksgiving, DD's in laws asked me, DH, our grown DS and his GF to a holiday buffet at a local hotel. All in all, I would guess about 16 family members (including 3 young children). It was fun and we went back to the in laws for drinks afterwards.

 

[Justsyd2]

I think that you should graciously accept Grandma's invitation. How kind of her to want to do this!

 

[beansmom]

i would offer to host at home myself and if Grandma insists on paying something, let her buy the honeybaked ham. I think children have much more fun at home and you don't feel rushed.

 

[clh2]

Why not accept the invitation for dinner out...and then invite everyone over for coffee/dessert?

 

[pixidustmom]

Well it's not the same this is true. I find if you all just do it once most will agree that you shouldn't miss out on the family feeling that you get from home. We did an Easter and Thanksgiving out and both times we wished we didn't.
I say do it once then like the PP said maybe have them over afterwords? But then again it's a buffet and you all might be quite full by then.

 

[happygirl]

Why not accept the invitation for dinner out...and then invite everyone over for coffee/dessert?

 

[ScottOKW2K]

I know this is a "budget" board but my opinion is - Go Out.

I speak from experience. My mom or my aunt do the usual thanksgiving and christmas but on holidays like Mothers day, birthdays and other holidays we take mom, my aunt, my brother and myself, wife, daughter and any other family member or close friend that wants to come along. Over the years I have found that we really enjoy these times - everyone's trying different apps, entrees and desserts and it's worth my $$ to have an attentave waiter or waitress to take care of us. All we have to do is relax and enjoy each others company.

My mom has commented that we should do sonething cheaper. My response - my brother and I both work hard and don't have alot of free time. My desire to enjoy what time we can spend with family on these occasions is far more important to me than the cost. Pick a nice place you all enjoy, go early enough to beat the main crowd, and just relax and enjoy each others company and laughter !

 

[travelbug]

I think if Grandma wants to host you all at a restaurant, you should accept her generous invitation. She probably doesn't feel up to cooking and hosting you all for a home meal and this she can do. As long as it's not financially difficult for her, I think you all say say thanks and do it. Maybe you can suggest having desert at your house afterward so people who want to can visit for a while longer.

I agree completely.

 

[wdwfan16]

Let Grandma have her way. She wants to do this. Why can't you go back to the house that is local to then relax and keep the festivities going?

 

[Dorisk3]

My only curiousity is how can you feed all those people for $60?

I would bring it up to my grandmother nicely, just keep in the back of your mind, once you do a holiday once, it can become "yours" and you'll always end up doing it.

 

[luvmy3]

I would ask my grandmother why she wanted to go out before I tried to convince her to do something else. If its a case where she normally hosts and just doesn't want to deal with it this year, then I would offer to host Easter at my house. If she just wants to do something different and go out to a restaurant, then I would oblige her and like some pp's said, invite everyone to my house for coffee and dessert afterwards. I know my Grandmother may not have many Holidays left with us, so I will try to accomodate her wishes the best I can.

 

[prncess674]

7 adults, 3 kids for $150 with tip sounds like a bargain! Every Easter buffet around here is at least $40 a person plus drinks, tax and tip.

I also agree, how could you possibly feed 10 people for $60? Even if you do a grocery store ham, that alone is at least $30.