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My sister refuses to host. She won't have the family over even if it's just take out. She has the best house for hosting, she doesn't work, and her daughter is 15.
So we end up eating out or her family comes over to my place. We definitely do not have a good relationship though. I wish she'd be open to sharing hosting responsibilities but she's not.

I prefer and love to host, dh on the other hand HATES it.... He hates any kind of get together and he makes a huge fit every time!!! It's so annoying. I can always count on a huge fight whenever something is coming up

Right now my sister is the only one who has a space large enough to accommodate our entire family. My goal when we decide to buy a home is to have a space large enough for family events so we can host too!
I will say that the burden doesn't fall on just my sister. Everyone brings a dish to share, and it's typically my dad bringing the meat - which is the expensive part of a meal for a family as large as ours. We all help with kitchen clean up after we eat as well.
We also help clean up the play room before we leave too so it doesn't fall on my sister/nephew.

Eh it depends. We definitely don't have the best set up for hosting- our place feels so small with more than two or three extra people. But going to someone's house who doesn't have small kids is really hard since we end up chasing the toddler the whole time, plus people without kids don't always get that we are on a schedule and saying "dinner at 6" means we are planning on eating at six, for real. Twice we went to BIL's house for a BBQ and I ended up leaving to put the toddler to bed around the time they put the burgers on the grill. And I was pregnant and wanted a damn burger!!

So I guess both are good and bad.

I prefer to have it at our house, it's just easier with two LO's...I don't feel put upon since other family members always offer and always bring food or I insist on taking care of the food. My family is very flexible and honestly just wants to help and make things easier for everyone and since having it at our house is usually easy on evergone, it works out great. Plus, as much as I hate it, it forces us to clean.

I love that we never have to host. I bring an elaborate dish most of the time (whatever the host requests), the kids play (ages newborn through 8), we relax and have a drink, then drive home to a still clean house

I like to have everyone rotate hosting duties. I don't mind hosting but I don't want to do it every time. I think everyone should take their turn!

I really can't host a big party due to space limitations because of condo living. I can invite 1 or 2 families but DH's side is huge so it's not possible. Luckily, his aunt likes to host and has the space to accommodate everyone so it's never an issue. Her driveway is wide and long and is on the side of the house so it fits 12 cars easily. We always bring a dish or chip in money and everyone helps with cleanup. Even though she enjoys it, we still rotate with other relatives too or meet at a restaurant. It's too stressful and unfair if one couple always has to host, spend the time & money, and clean up too.

@regberadaisy: I don't think you are being unreasonable at all. I would definitely need a break from hosting if it's always on us. Throwing parties or hosting adds up.

We don't live near our families so we don't get the opportunity to host big gatherings with them. But when we get together with friends I love hosting. We have the biggest/most open house for everyone to hang out, and we have a main floor play room so the kids are close but entertained and not right underfoot. Plus we have space upstairs to spread kids out and put them all to sleep if we want to hang out late. But my friends are amazing and we always split the food/booze duties and they never leave my house until everything is all cleaned up. Just yesterday one of my best friends texted me to inform me that her husband decided we are hosting everyone for the Super Bowl I was thrilled!

A mix of all three! I feel like MIL tells us the time she wants us to be over say 4 pm then dinner is not till 6:30 because she wants to hang out. I can always count on dinner being at least an hour later. That annoys me so we tend to have them over. I've been better at saying hey we are leaving at 7 sharp for the baby's bedtime. My parents take us out 1-2 times a month. They almost exclusively eat out and I don't love having them here at night because my Dad drinks too much, wants us to open more wine and overstays his welcome. My Mom only really hosts/cooks in the summer since they have a pool. We host most big holidays since both sets of parents attend and we have the biggest house and I like to host.

I flip flop! I def hate getting my home "messed up" but at the same time it's easier for DD to be at home, nap whenever, etc. Going out is definitely "stress free" except you gotta pack all the kid(s) stuff, entertain them, be aware of nap/bed times, etc.