We Are Family

Today, I got this email from my Aunt:

Dear Family,
I am willing to host a family day on Boxing Day. If you are interested and able to come, please let me know as soon as possible, this Sunday at the latest. It will be a potluck and I will ask you to bring something when I have an idea how many are coming.
Hope to hear from you soon.

Makes you feel all warm and fuzzy doesn’t it? This is from the same Aunt who brought us “The Rules” for Christmas 2002….

This is what was handed to each and every one of us upon arrival at my Aunt’s place that fateful Christmas. There were only 2 copies so we had to share, but don’t worry – they were laminated so they wouldn’t get anything spilled on them:

Please read and pass on.

WELCOME!

Welcome to the FamilyName Christmas Party for 2002. We will be gathering in the family and recreation rooms where hopefully there are enough seats for everyone.

Please help yourself to cold drinks or tea, which are available in the small room at the end of the hall, which I will call the kitchenette for today. (EDIT: It was a mainfloor laundry room with a coffee maker and a tea kettle set up on the washer & dryer). When you are finished with your cup or glass, it would be appreciated if you could wash and rinse it in the basin provided in the sink of the kitchenette, and place it in the dish rack. (EDIT: There weren’t enough cups to go around, so you HAD to wash out your cup as soon as you were done so that somone else could have a drink).

For dinner there will be two tables, with seating for six people each, set up in the dining and family rooms. These places will be for those who are 45 years of age or older. (EDIT: Surprisingly enough, she did NOT check our ID). For the younger generation there are two tables in the basement. Although the basement is heated and clean, you will be more comfortable if you put on your slippers at this time. (EDIT: I “forgot” to bring my slippers that year).

When dinner is ready, find yourself a spot at one of the tables. Since we are spread apart in three different rooms, would somebody from each table or room please say grace before we line up for food. When your table is called, take your dinner plate and help yourself to the food in the kitchen. During dinner, remain seated, except if you wish refills, until your plate is collected and the desert table is ready. Would someone from each table please collect the dinner plates, knives, and large forks when everyone has finished and bring them to the kitchen. Keep your bread plate, desert fork and spoon to use for dessert. You will be served coffee or tea with dessert. Don’t hesitate to go back for more dessert, but leave all of your dishes on the tables when you are finished eating. I intend to clean up one table at a time so as not to overcrowd the kitchen.

The washroom is located off of the hall on your left as you head for the “kitchenette”. For those who wish to smoke, I have set up a makeshift ash tray on the front porch.

Thank you for bringing deserts and salads as this cut down on the amount of cooking and baking I had to do and provided an interesting variety. Don’t forget to collect any serving dishes when you leave.

Please feel free to continue to socialize after supper. Just reassemble the chairs and make yourselves comfortable.

Have an enjoyable day!

I’m not sure if I’ll feel free to socialize after supper, and remaining seated during dinner? Wow! That’s just unheard of! Do you think I should throw the whole family for a loop again and bring the ONE and ONLY bottle of wine that will have to be rationed amongst the 25 of us? Following all of those rules was so hard the first time around – I’m not sure if I should subject myself to that again, however, it would be very interesting to see what this year’s RULES are!

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