I threw a party this Christmas.. Possibly one of the most stressful parties I’ve ever thrown – but I did myself proud.. And I’m going to brag about it! ;)
I did a boxing-day-buffet.. All home cooked food, lots of wine, lots of alternatives for the non-wine-drinking crowd.. After a day spent flapping about in the kitchen, I had a fridge full of nibbles, snacks and what-ever-else you want to call buffet food.. When the guests arrived, I kissed and hugged, opened wine handed out drinks, made small talk.. I’d planned my lighting perfectly – not so dark that people couldn’t see, but dim enough to be relaxing.. We had drinks, I cooked the hot food, uncovered the cold food – and handed out my best china plates for people to eat from (whilst praying no one would break anything!)..
After spending quite literally a whole day cleaning the house and preparing food – I watched the buffet diminish quickly.. My home made pastries and sandwiches disappeared, hand carved meats and sliced cheeses were wolfed down as though they hadn’t taken me forever to prepare and present..
Three glasses of (good) wine later, I managed to actually relax, and eat something.. (I always find that hours of cooking leaves me with absolutely no desire to eat). My family and friends crammed into my tiny living room – sprawled across the sofas and the floor.. Wine flowed, music blared and people talked about drunken rubbish..
And then, in the middle of washing up the dirty dishes, in my party dress and four inch heels.. The other half came into the kitchen, slipped his arms around my waist and whispered,
“All that hard work paid off, baby.. Everyone is having a wonderful time and you look amazing. I can’t wait to throw dinner parties for my friends, just so I can show off my beautiful, talented wife..”
And that, made the hours of work, the beaten-up-credit-card and the fairy-liquid splashes all over my ridiculously expensive dress – all worth it. I had actually enjoyed playing at being a domestic goddess.. I was appreciated, and I was loved.
