When you're considering having a few friends over to dinner, which evenings of the week come to mind? Friday night, perhaps, after the pressures of the work week are finished, or Saturday (not a school night either). But what about Monday night? A blogger I enjoy recently made a case for Monday night dinner parties, and here's why.
Monday night may be the last night that you would usually think to host a dinner party or have friends over. The week has just begun; the relaxed vibe of the weekend is gone, right? Well, perhaps not. Emily of EmilyStyle points out three reasons to host a dinner on Monday night:
• 1. The host or hostess has the whole weekend to prep for the party, without actually giving up any of their weekend nights. If you choose a make-ahead menu (more on that this week) you could have practically the entire dinner ready ahead of time.
• 2. Emily also claims that it's easy to invite guests, because who has plans on a Monday night?
• 3. And finally, no one feels any pressure to stick around late. You can have a nice dinner at 7pm, a couple glasses of wine or a cocktail, and a relaxed dessert, but still be home and all finished by 10pm. Less pressure for guests, and for the host.
• Read more: To Do: Monday Nights at EmilyStyle
What do you think? Could Monday night be your new Friday?
Related: Entertaining: Make-Ahead Tips for Dinner Parties
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This is pure genius!
we're heading to a dinner party tonight. I completely agree with all this!
LOVE this! I am so tired Friday nights but I could pull off a Monday night dinner. I am going to pull my act together and do this in June.
Great idea! I must start doing this...it's even better once the kids are finished with school for the summer!
Thanks!
Absolutely!! I hosted my first solo dinner party last Monday in fact. Had 9 of my adult family members over. It was perfect. I get off work at 4:30, they arrived starting at 6:30 and dinner was ready around 8 (we always eat late anyway).
So true about being able to prep and clean over the weekend. When I woke up Monday morning I already had the table set, etc. Just needed to put out flowers and crack open some wine when I got home that night. Forces you to really plan ahead.
this is such a great idea...i'm thinking a once a month monday thing! especially in the summer.
I frequently have my weekly "dinner club" on Mondays when it's my week (three of us rotate cooking for each other...have been at it for four years) because it means I can cook on Sunday night and not keep my friends waiting when we all get out of work on the later side. Made the French Onion Chicken recipe posted on thekitchen last night, in fact for dinner club tonight.
Monday night dinners are fun, too, because Monday's typically a "dreaded day" back at work, beginning a new hectic week after a relaxing weekend, etc. Something to look forward to on Monday night makes it feel like an extension of the weekend-- or like a set-up to a week that will fly by quickly! :)
Definitely like having something nice to look forward to on a Monday.
Yes. I used to have friends over almost every Monday night in the winter for Soup Night. It was SO nice to have something to look forward to when the weekend is over and it's only Monday.
Absolustely! We have dinner with friends every other Monday night, rotating houses so everyone hosts. Our apts/houses are all clean from the weekend chores, the kitchen is stocked, and everyone is relaxed. Perfect!
My knitting group always meets on Monday nights for dinner at a member's house. I can't even remember why we settled on that night but I agree that it works really well for everyone involved.
The only thing I learned to keep in mind is that Mondays are also one of the busiest days for grocery shopping (or at least the natural foods co-ops around here) if you need to make a run for any last minute ingredients.
We just did this last night! Our new Monday night routine, among a rotating cast of friends, is yoga, followed by dinner, followed by the new episode of "Game of Thrones." Best. Mondays. EVER.
Ha! We just yesterday invited people for a party we're hosting on a Monday night. Mostly because a lot of us are museum people and therefore our "weekend" is on Monday and Tuesday. Except for mine. And we're hosting. Oh well - I have the whole weekend to plan!
We have a group that does this every Wednesday. It's a nice way to break up the week--- but if you're hosting a labor-intensive meal, the prep can take up your tuesday as well... but I definately prefer weeknights for this sort of thing :)
We could only do this for certain sets of friends. One of our couple friends we have made a rule that they are not allowed over to our apartment on "school nights" (we are not in school nor do we have kids, but we get up early weekdays) because they absolutely will talk their heads off until we push them out the door. They don't know we have this rule. But seriously, they will hold conversations for even 1/2 an hour in the doorway with coats on, even if we tell them with the invite that dinner is from 6-10.
Otherwise, I see the rationale, but I would wrinkle my brow if I got an invite for dinner on a Monday, and possibly decline. However, it would be nice to not cook that night