The Entertainer
“Just the thing for Entertainment” or something similar is a common theme in house builder’s brochures and estate agent descriptions.
It’s really a way of trying to upsize you into a bigger (more expensive) house.
Before you get sucked in with these statements for your new house here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
- How often do you actually “Entertain”?
- Every week?
- Once a month?
- Or hardly ever?
- Will you be trying to impress. . . . or just aiming to have a good time?
- How many is it really going to be?
- Is it going to be one or two couples around for brunch or dinner or;
- A party for 30 or 40 people?
- Is a barby your normal way of entertaining? It is for most Australians. . . . .In that case you are more likely to need plenty of outdoor areas, which probably include plenty of space for children to run around. . . . .Not easy if you have filled your block up with a house that has big rooms for “Entertainers”.
- For family occasions most people won’t mind if the garage is pressed into service for a meal if it is presentable. If it isn’t perhaps you can just cover the front of the shelves with some fabric.
- Think back to the parties you went to that you really enjoyed. Some of the better ones that I went to were in small houses and flats. . . you would normally find me, along with half of the other people there, packed into a tiny kitchen.
Alternatives for Entertaining
When our children were young we used to live in small houses so when it came to birthday parties we used to hire a village, or community hall.
You can normally hire a big room including a kitchen for half a day at very reasonable rates.
That meant lots of room for kids to run around and play games.
You don’t need good weather.
Just put paper tablecloths on the provided trestle tables, afterwards roll it up with the paper plates and plastic cutlery and in the bin.
No worry about damaging your carpet, just brush the floor and mop any spills and go home.
What are some of the parties you have enjoyed and what was the place were you held them?
Budget has more posts about finding a house the right size for you