STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

Home Parties

Luv2Shop · Kate Spade

We had a candle party and I have been to several scrapbooking parties. I think they are fun. Just make sure you tell your "representative" to concentrate on the jewelry more then recruting people to become representatives. Sometimes they get a little carried away with that and that's what I don't like. Also, tell the girls right away not to feel gulity for not buying. That way they don't think you invited them just to buy stuff. Also tell the rep. not to hound people because some people just came to browse. I think it's really the rep's fault if they feel pressured, so make sure you two are on the same page and it should be fine.

small fry · Chanel

Well I have never had or been to one of those parties but I say try it. You never know it could be great success. Have you got any RSVP back? If I lived closer I would come since I have been wanting to go to one.

Hermes

ok - I'm going to be completely honest here... I resent being invited to any home party. if it was something I wanted, I would seek it out on my own, and I feel obligated to buy something, because if I don't, it would hurt the acquaintance’s feelings (and I stress the reference to "acquaintance" it's always some random person that I'm not close to that invites me to these things.) I don't even go to any anymore - whenever I get an invite to a "home party" I will always have a schedule conflict and decline the invitation...

my point is not to make you feel bad about doing it, and I think you already sense this sentiment and that's why you're having second thoughts... just sharing my point of view, which may or may not be shared with other invitees of home parties...

Dizzy · Marc Jacobs

I'm in the middle here - you've already sent out the invites. So I think you are stuck having the party. And yes, I agree the concept is somewhat off-putting. The thing is, in middle class midwest, they are completely ubiquitous and there's sort of an understanding that you go to other people's parties so they will come to yours and all of you can get the hostess gifts. And pretty much as long as there's booze and you don't take it really seriously (like trying to sign people up as reps, good call Luvs2shop), there shouldn't be a problem and it can be a fun night.

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

detroit wrote:

ok - I'm going to be completely honest here... I resent being invited to any home party. if it was something I wanted, I would seek it out on my own, and I feel obligated to buy something, because if I don't, it would hurt the acquaintance’s feelings (and I stress the reference to "acquaintance" it's always some random person that I'm not close to that invites me to these things.) I don't even go to any anymore - whenever I get an invite to a "home party" I will always have a schedule conflict and decline the invitation...

my point is not to make you feel bad about doing it, and I think you already sense this sentiment and that's why you're having second thoughts... just sharing my point of view, which may or may not be shared with other invitees of home parties...

I totally agree with what you are saying because I feel the same way when I'm invited. When I do go, I always have fun, but I do feel obligated to buy. Which is weird because I don' t care if anyone buys anything. I'm a really family oriented person and I really try to take every opportunity to see my friends/family, so I thought this would be a good way to do that in different way. But I feel like crap for doing it. I almost wish you didn't get hostess gifts because that's the part that's making me feel sh*tt%.

beachgirl · Kenneth Cole

I have attended and hosted several candle parties within my group of friends, and it's always been great! We all love the candles, so it gives us an opportunity to get together, have fun and get stuff that we want. Also, there's never any pressure to buy, so if we can't it's never been a big deal. It's always a fun night and a great excuse to get together.

Hermes

nunzi182 wrote:

detroit wrote: ok - I'm going to be completely honest here... I resent being invited to any home party. if it was something I wanted, I would seek it out on my own, and I feel obligated to buy something, because if I don't, it would hurt the acquaintance’s feelings (and I stress the reference to "acquaintance" it's always some random person that I'm not close to that invites me to these things.) I don't even go to any anymore - whenever I get an invite to a "home party" I will always have a schedule conflict and decline the invitation... my point is not to make you feel bad about doing it, and I think you already sense this sentiment and that's why you're having second thoughts... just sharing my point of view, which may or may not be shared with other invitees of home parties... I totally agree with what you are saying because I feel the same way when I'm invited. When I do go, I always have fun, but I do feel obligated to buy. Which is weird because I don' t care if anyone buys anything. I'm a really family oriented person and I really try to take every opportunity to see my friends/family, so I thought this would be a good way to do that in different way. But I feel like crap for doing it. I almost wish you didn't get hostess gifts because that's the part that's making me feel sh*tt%.

ok - so you succumbed to the pressure of a home party rep - a very easy thing to do because they can be very convincing...

what do you think of this - cancel the home party with the rep, and still have a party - you said that you like to take any opportunity to gather your friends and family - so do it - just don't sell them anything... you can get ahold of them and tell them the theme has changed to a white elephant party where everybody brings something nice to trade with others... or a winter blues party and play some games...or - I don't know - I'm sure there's other ideas out there... what do you think of something like that?

-- Edited by detroit at 12:17, 2006-01-26

JoceyBaby23 · Gucci

I like parties like this.. I think they are fun. I will go with every intension of buying something. If I dont have money or don't want to buy I just wont go. Simple as that. I dont think you should look too deep into it. If you are having such serious second thoughts then maybe you should cancel it. You dont need a bunch of extra stress over it!

MissMee · Kate Spade

I love home parties, and I have the regularly. But I like doing ones that most people don't go to. I hate the Silpada jewelry one. Everyone does it, and I don't wear much silver anymore. It's a little too southwest for me. And I also don't care for the candle parties or Tupperware parties. But I love home decor parties and the wine tasting parties. I'd love to do a purse party, too, but don't know how to find someone to do it. It's all a great excuse to get all the girls together.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

MissMee wrote:

I love home parties, and I have the regularly. But I like doing ones that most people don't go to. I hate the Silpada jewelry one. Everyone does it, and I don't wear much silver anymore. It's a little too southwest for me. And I also don't care for the candle parties or Tupperware parties. But I love home decor parties and the wine tasting parties. I'd love to do a purse party, too, but don't know how to find someone to do it. It's all a great excuse to get all the girls together.

http://www.1154lill.com/home/

hth. i'm not sure they host parties in MA (i think that's where you're at....), but it's worth looking into. plus, in chicago girls carry them all the time, and use them as wallets, etc...

ETA: they have a location in boston, on newbury street.

-- Edited by shopgirl82 at 16:00, 2006-01-26

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

MissMee wrote:

I love home parties, and I have the regularly. But I like doing ones that most people don't go to. I hate the Silpada jewelry one. Everyone does it, and I don't wear much silver anymore. It's a little too southwest for me. And I also don't care for the candle parties or Tupperware parties. But I love home decor parties and the wine tasting parties. I'd love to do a purse party, too, but don't know how to find someone to do it. It's all a great excuse to get all the girls together.

I'm actually having a Silpada jewelry one.

But when I sent out the invitations nobody had even heard of them before so I guess it's not a big thing around here. Mostly people do Pampered Chef parties. I guess I'll stick with this since I invited everyone already.

bumblebee · Coach

i'm with detroit. i wouldn't think of showing up to a party like this and not buying something--i feel like it's 100% obligatory. that's the whole point of the party, right? but that said, i think people will decide based on whether or not they want to buy something, have the cash, etc. whether or not they will come to the party. that's what i do.

just make sure to tell everyone what type of party it is! one time i was invited to a "going away party" for an acquaintance, which made no mention of any type of selling whatsoever. i showed up, just to be nice, and it turned out to be a mary kay party. i was FURIOUS! i bought the smallest thing for $29 and left as soon as i could politely. i was angry because it was so un-cool to trick people into coming, and because i felt very obvious pressure to buy something and had just written a bunch of big checks and had $29 left in my checking account. needless to say, i have not spoken to this acquaintance since.

the worst part of this story? i never received the item i paid for, which i didn't want in the first place. after four phone calls to the rep and a "free gift" of a hand mirror that i didn't want, and numerous apologies about it "being lost by UPS" and other b.s., to this day i have never received it.

wow--sorry for the rant!

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

I totally understand people qualms about these types of parties but I only invited people that I speak to on a regular basis, such as sisters, mom, mother in law, and close friends. I would never think of inviting just an acquaintance, unless they outright asked to come in passing conversation.

esquiress · Marc Jacobs

JoceyBaby23 wrote:

You dont need a bunch of extra stress over it!

i 100% agree with this. just do the thing which will give you the least amount of stress. if you feel weird about it, don't do it. if you feel weird about canceling, then go through with it.

as for me, i've only been to one of these kinds of parties, it was for sex toys, while i was living in vegas (how apropos ) and i didn't feel pressured to buy nor did i buy anything but it was still a fun time. i was also invited by an acquaintance/coworker, she made sure to let me know what it was about and made sure i didn't feel pressure to buy, which i really appreciated.

i also think it depends on the crowd you hang out with to determine if these kinds of parties are pressure-inducing or just another fun way to get together. some of my friends would be completely bewildered and put off at the thought but my best friend's mom and relatives and co workers have them all the time and she's gone to a bunch and sometimes bought, sometimes not.

there are probably a ton of experiences associated w/ these kinds of parties, some positive, some negative (btw, i am fuming on behalf of bumblebee--that sucks!) but at this point, i'd just do whatever you feel most comfortable with. we'll still love you no matter what.

Andrea Julia · Coach

In general, I resent these parties. The host always says, "don't feel obligated to buy something," but inevitably everyone feels obligated to buy something. And it is always something I don't want: candles, Mary Kay make-up, etc. I do usually end up going because they are serving dinner and wine and they are either hosted by someone I really like or there will be a bunch of people I really like there. I just plan on buying the cheapest thing I can buy without looking too cheap. There has never been a time there was something I really wanted. I have even bought something and given it to the hostess because I totally didn't want anything.

Actually, I have been to a Chef Central party and a sex toy party and I liked those. Here's why: they actually have activities that make it fun and then at least you can chalk up the money you spent to entertainment. The Chef Central woman made yummy food and the sex toy woman had all these silly games she had us play. I did like those, so if your family and friends like jewelry, and it is nice and stylish jewelry, I don't think you will have a problem.

erin · Chanel

the only home party i have ever enjoyed was tastefully simple, but that's just because i love food. i hate being invited in general.

bex · Chanel

erin wrote:

the only home party i have ever enjoyed was tastefully simple, but that's just because i love food. i hate being invited in general.

and their stuff is something i actually use! and you can get away with a $10-20 order and wind up with 2-4 items!

i have been to them all: candle parties, longaberger parties, tastefully simple, tupperware, silpada, etc.

the best ones i have been to are the ones my friend throws. she usually has them on a saturday during football season. the boys all watch their game and the girls drink and browse jewelry and eat the tastefully simple stuff (her rep does both silpada and Tsimple) and the rep just hangs out with us. there is no discussion of sales, etc. its really relaxed and fun. plus the guys are munching on the food too- so a lot of them tell their wives/girlfriends to purchase certain things b/c they like it.

overall, i'm not too pissed about being invited to these parties b/c if i know i don't want to go (i.e. the candle parties) then i just make up a reason NOT to go.

have your party nunzi- if people don't want to buy they won't. at least IMO. and if they want too they will...

but if you really feel uncomfortable- have your party as detroit said but cancel the rep. that way you can still get together with your friends but not have the guilty feeling about the party

-- Edited by bex at 08:34, 2006-01-27

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

I decided to have it. I sent out 20 invites the other day and I've gotten 8 yeses from people who seemed genuinely excited to come b/c they'd never heard of Silpada before. Also, two people from work heard I was throwing the party (since the rep was at work originally) and instead of ordering all of their jewelry from the rep at work they saved most of their stuff to order through me! I don't feel guilty about those two because they were going to buy stuff anyway.

Thanks for all your advice ladies!

Jahni · Dooney & Bourke

This is kind of late, but just thought I would tell you that I bought a Sipalda bracelet around Christmas time and LOVE it!

I've gotten more compliments on it than anything else I've been wearing. It's the leather with pearls and a button clasp.

I think everyone will love your Sipalda party!