Here’s the deal: a couple of times a year, when the weather allows full use of the screened-in back porch, Bossy hosts a Poverty Party, which she has been doing well before there was a Poverty Party feature on her blog, well before there was a blog.
Bossy sends out invitations where sends out equals she rides around on her bicycle whistling the theme for the wicked witch, delivering the cheap postcards she creates on her computer and xeroxes on brightly colored card stock at Kinkos, all the while praying they don’t get mistaken for lawn care fliers.
The invitation first tells people to grab a sitter because, gah, kids. Next the guests are directed to bring something to eat and something to drink. Bossy has a friend who one time told Bossy this was a very rude practice many consider uncouth, but Bossy doubts that friend is correct because the number of people showing up the night of the party with arms brimming with delicious stuff suggests otherwise.
A few days before the party, Bossy still ends up at Olives R Us to purchase party plates and napkins and the ingredients to prepare a few starter dishes so the first guests have something to eat.
Bossy doesn’t want to make light of this, since this can add up — just like Bossy’s run to the liquor store to purchase starter booze so the first guests have something to drink adds up — but financially this initial layout should be weighed against all of the leftovers Bossy inherits following her Poverty Party.
This is a before photo of one of the booze tables Bossy set up. By the end of the night this table looked like a bureau top in one of Columbia University’s freshman dorms.
Warning: The Opinions expressed in this blog are not necessarily the opinions of this blog. Bossy does not sanction underage drinking. Neither does she condone it. And as soon as Bossy is finished looking up sanction and condone in her dictionary, she may still have time to fix a vodka tonic for her son.
In terms of the food, Bossy prepared a mess of chicken with satay dipping sauce and a couple of vegetable dips and a frittata, as pictured in the very first photo above.
But within minutes the table was brimming with more food. And more and more food, also with some food.
This photo was taken very early in the night and Bossy is sorry she didn’t capture the table when it was at its peak. She also didn’t capture any photos of the other eating stations located throughout the house. She also didn’t take any after photos of the booze table. Maybe because she was under it.
But back to Bossy’s point: Throw a poverty party this summer!
kristin says
June 8, 2009 at 8:35 amPoverty parties around here are just called “dish to pass suppers,” and they are the favored way to entertain in the summer. I mean, what’s not to like? You just contribute one thing, and you’re presented with spread that can equal a Vegas buffet for variety.
Okay, maybe not Vegas. But good, nevertheless.
Chookooloonks says
June 8, 2009 at 8:35 amDude. I just might.
Wanna come?
MariaV says
June 8, 2009 at 8:43 amI don’t think it is rude because you are calling it what it is. Besides, don’t most people bring something when they attend a party?
The Domestic Goddess says
June 8, 2009 at 9:23 amDang that’s a cool party.
linda says
June 8, 2009 at 9:27 amwow! bossy knows how to entertain. I think there’s a book there.. really, I would buy it
Jenn @ Juggling Life says
June 8, 2009 at 10:07 amWe call it a potluck and we used to let the kids come, but now most of them have somewhere else to be anyway. The best thing about a neighborhood potluck is that nobody has to worry about driving home.
Stephanie T. says
June 8, 2009 at 10:57 amI agree on the entertaining book! I would buy it, too. Bossy has great taste.
Little Miss Sunshine State says
June 8, 2009 at 11:31 amPoverty Party isn’t rude. It’s a throwback to the days when we were all poor newlyweds and it was ALWAYS BYOBandFOOD.
Everything old is new again.
reen says
June 8, 2009 at 11:40 amPotlucks are the only way to go – everyone gets to sample the variety of their friends’ favorite dishes which helps them get to know each other better. Who doesn’t love to talk about FOOD? And yes, the initial food and booze expenses are offset by the leftovers so it’s poverty-friendly!
Audubon Ron says
June 8, 2009 at 12:04 pmI looked everywhere. In the mailbox, in the ditch next to the mailbox, in the woods next to the mailbox, in the pampus grass next to the mailbox and darn it, I didn’t see an invitation. I’ll have to talk to the mail lady. Perhaps she delivered it down the road a piece.
Kelly says
June 8, 2009 at 12:08 pmI love this idea! Looks like a great time.
Evolving says
June 8, 2009 at 2:34 pmDear Bossy’s Friend,
Potlucks are SOOOO couth. In fact it’s very european. Show up empty handed and THEN you’re rude! Trés chic Bossy!
Meg at the Members Lounge says
June 8, 2009 at 3:49 pmBOSSY, I think your council should have a VIRTUAL pot luck this summer. Cheap, fun and we’ll have new recipes to salivate over! We will all promise to read comments by tealight to set the mood.
Reeb says
June 8, 2009 at 4:52 pmI had no idea there was any other way to have a party.
3limes says
June 8, 2009 at 5:59 pmI would by that book. I am very inspired. Might just do it.
Elisa DelBonis says
June 8, 2009 at 6:37 pmNow I’m wicked hungry. All that food…
the cheap chick says
June 8, 2009 at 6:39 pmRude, schmude. Who doesn’t like a good potluck? That way, you’re not stuck eating the same old same old, and everyone always overbuys on the good stuff. Like chocolate and booze and Tator Tots.
Excellent thrifty tip!
dgm says
June 8, 2009 at 9:04 pmI’m not seeing how it’s rude, probably because this is the type of party I like to throw and to attend. Who doesn’t bring something to a party anyway, even if the host says “no, don’t bring anything!” It seems … rude not to.
After our last party we ended up with all manner of interesting wines and spirits. What’s not to like?
amy says
June 8, 2009 at 10:06 pmMy favorite kind of party to go to! Always such GOOD food!
renee in seattle says
June 8, 2009 at 10:57 pmTwo thumbs up! Very similar to a party we host in the summer, only I learned the hard way not to invite one certain person who would take home all of any leftovers she could get her hands on including booze, other people’s stuff, and darnet if she didn’t clean out my bread drawer while she was at it! I had to go grocery shopping the next day, no shit.
Surcie says
June 9, 2009 at 3:22 pmBossy, you are so much fun. My son is turning 6 and wants a spongebob-luau party in our backyard. I’m totally overwhelmed by the idea of having 10 kids and their parents over. So would you plan the whole thing for me? THANKS!
foolery says
June 9, 2009 at 7:23 pmWe’re thinking of doing this this summer, only around here we call them a BYOMeat Fly-B-Cue.
Because of the flies. Which there are a lot of. Which.
ACK, if you have to explain it, it isn’t funny, Foolery.
tina de luxe says
June 10, 2009 at 8:15 amHa, we’re couth?! Who would have thought that? Not me …
The old world does in fact throw BYOwhatever parties as well but I’m not sure if that’s typical.
The idea is convincing, preparing just one kind of food is fun and having a variety of delicious food is the best part of the food part of a party. So no one has to feel guilty to eat all the stuff that took three days for the poor host to prepare …
Oh, I take part as well:
http://www.text-deluxe.de/index.php/2009/bossys-super-armutsparty/