Great ideas Tamar! It takes good planning to be a good delegater. A couple of other delegatable duties: put out the cutting board and bread knife and delegate slicing the bread just before dinner, delegate filling water glasses with ice and water. When guests ask how they can help, I assign duties for later in the meal, to put them on notice. Anything to let you enjoy your time with your guests!
I love the idea of letting people know they'll be needed later--might summon some of that energy of collaboration and also get things done. And bread cuttery is a great one!!
Just today, after reading here, I thought ahead slightly and had a vague plan to put a friend to work taking out alllll the pomegranate seeds. Messy (but easy to clean) and mindless and a little time-consuming and low stakes - worked a treat!
Now I remember one time I brought dates to share and we removed seeds and stuffed with nuts at our friend's kitchen table, chatting and nibbling and drinking while they finished cooking dinner. (Also a little messy, and easy to clean)
the humor, kindness, and skillfulness contained in this reply create a feast for the soul. words are ingredients too, and it is moving to read them used so finely. I send all my good wishes to the letter writer for a festive, rage free gathering.
Great ideas Tamar! It takes good planning to be a good delegater. A couple of other delegatable duties: put out the cutting board and bread knife and delegate slicing the bread just before dinner, delegate filling water glasses with ice and water. When guests ask how they can help, I assign duties for later in the meal, to put them on notice. Anything to let you enjoy your time with your guests!
I love the idea of letting people know they'll be needed later--might summon some of that energy of collaboration and also get things done. And bread cuttery is a great one!!
Just today, after reading here, I thought ahead slightly and had a vague plan to put a friend to work taking out alllll the pomegranate seeds. Messy (but easy to clean) and mindless and a little time-consuming and low stakes - worked a treat!
Now I remember one time I brought dates to share and we removed seeds and stuffed with nuts at our friend's kitchen table, chatting and nibbling and drinking while they finished cooking dinner. (Also a little messy, and easy to clean)
You are SIMPLY THE BEST. This is perfect.
Love this advice!
the humor, kindness, and skillfulness contained in this reply create a feast for the soul. words are ingredients too, and it is moving to read them used so finely. I send all my good wishes to the letter writer for a festive, rage free gathering.