Seems like now is an absolutely perfect time to provide some updates:

Seating is first-come, first-serve
We expect the event to be sold out, and yes, there will absolutely be room for everyone. That said, if it's important to you where you sit -- or who you sit with -- best to arrive early and grab the seat(s) of your choice. Please don't arrive on the later side with the expectation that tables will be re-arranged or that those already seated will be moved to accommodate your seating preference. Neither of those will happen.

Gift Exchange
This is a friendly, casual, informal exchange. As Jen posted above, it's simple. Bring a gift and get a gift. We're thinking that some food or something food-related (new, not used and in good condition) in the $15-20 range would be ideal. Please try to bring a gift that you'd also be happy to receive, not just something that you want to offload. If 'receiving equal value' is important to you, you may want to sit this out because there's just no way to ensure that will happen. But if cordially exchanging a fun gift with a fellow LTHer -- just as we have done for nearly two decades -- sounds good to you, the gift is exchange is an ideal way to do so.

Okay, that's it for now.

Thanks!

=R=

did the pay thing

It is likely I will be taking a break from gingerbread houses this year,
but will most likely bring something yummy...
Just want to give a heads up

11/7 Ticket Sale Update:

Reserved/Attending/Paid (P):
boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande (P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
~28~

Only 22 more spots--don't delay and miss out!

ronnie_suburban wrote: If 'receiving equal value' is important to you, you may want to sit this out because there's just no way to ensure that will happen. But if cordially exchanging a fun gift with a fellow LTHer -- just as we have done for nearly two decades -- sounds good to you, the gift is exchange is an ideal way to do so.
=R=

This should be emphasized. We sat with someone last year who could not stop complaining about the gift they gave was better than the gift received. Kind of ruined that part of the night.

lougord99 wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote: If 'receiving equal value' is important to you, you may want to sit this out because there's just no way to ensure that will happen. But if cordially exchanging a fun gift with a fellow LTHer -- just as we have done for nearly two decades -- sounds good to you, the gift is exchange is an ideal way to do so.
=R=

This should be emphasized. We sat with someone last year who could not stop complaining about the gift they gave was better than the gift received. Kind of ruined that part of the night.

Lou, Will you be joining us this year? Hope so.

=R=

I'd like to reserve 2 tix pls

Welcome, Wkern! I sent the ticket purchase info to you via PM.

Here is the updated list:
11/14 Ticket Sale Update:

Reserved/Attending/Paid (P):
boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme (P)
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande (P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
Wkern +1
GAF
~31~

Only 19 more spots--and our minimum for the event is 40, so it would be great if everyone planning to attend would let us know.

***Thank You
For The Update.

***Please Be Advised
That I Purchased
A Ticket
On Monday,
11 November 2024.

***Looking Forward
To The Event!!!

cateme wrote:***Thank You
For The Update.

***Please Be Advised
That I Purchased
A Ticket
On Monday,
11 November 2024.

***Looking Forward
To The Event!!!

Thanks! Updated the list.

***Thank You

Please add me. Looking forward to our grand party.

GAF wrote:Please add me. Looking forward to our grand party.

Will do!

I'm in +1

--
edc

edc wrote:I'm in +1

--
edc

Excellent!!

11/14 Ticket Sale Update:

Reserved/Attending/Paid (P):

boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme (P)
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande (P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
Wkern +1
GAF
edc+1
gastro gnome
Ernest & Shirley
~36~

Only 14 spots left til we're sold out--but still need 4 more rsvps to ensure the party happens, so it would be great if everyone planning to attend would let us know as soon as possible.

Please count me in

gastro gnome wrote:Please count me in

Absolutely!

11/15 Ticket Sale Update:

Reserved/Attending/Paid (P):

boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme (P)
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande (P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
Wkern +1
GAF (P)
edc+1 (P)
gastro gnome
Ernest & Shirley
~36~

Only 14 spots left til we're sold out--but still need 4 more rsvps to ensure the party happens, so it would be great if everyone planning to attend would let us know as soon as possible.

So excited to catch up with everyone!

Jen, please add +1, and payment sent, please confirm.

Got it!

Holiday party RSVP list—(P)= Paid

boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme (P)
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande +1(P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
Wkern +1
GAF (P)
edc+1 (P)
gastro gnome (P)
Ernest & Shirley (P)
~37 ~

Just got a copy of the ticket list and everyone has paid except Cookie Monster and Wkern. If you could both check your LTH inbox, your ticket purchase link is there--if you don't see it or need me to email it to you another way, please let me know.

thanks!!

Hi all! Happy Friday!

We seem to have hit a bit of a lull in ticket sales so wanted to put out a gentle reminder that if we want this event to happen, we need to sell at least 40 tickets—and we’re about 6 short—so if you’ve RSVP’d and haven’t paid, please take care of that. And if you haven’t RSVP’d and can join us, please do!!!

Hi everyone,

I hope you had a great Thanksgiving!

With just over a week to go until the party, we need to sell a few more tickets in order to make sure it happens. We've committed to a minimum of 40 attendees, and presuming that everyone who's reserved has now paid, we're close but not quite there. So, if you're on the fence, now is the time to sign up and pay for your tickets. It should be a wonderful meal and a great time.

Thanks!

=R=

I’d like to purchase 2 tickets.

js03618 wrote:I’d like to purchase 2 tickets.

Excellent! Sending the ticket link via LTH PM.

If we haven't met the minimum, want to open this to prospective members? I'd be happy to share the opportunity to meet LTH Forum folks at the LTH Forum Holiday Party with members of the forum for which I'm a moderator, called FB Chicago Foodies, should it become necessary to put like-minded butts in chairs for the event to proceed. Ping me if you get nervous enough about headcount that you'd like to open the event to folks who aren't yet members, but are likely to wish to join.

Holiday party RSVP list—(P)= Paid

boudreaulicious (P)
Cathy 2 (P)
rebfyffe +1 (P)
cateme (P)
ronnie_suburban +2 (P)
JoelF & SueF (P)
nr706 & Moetchandon (P)
LHS (P)
The GP & Mr. X (P)
irisarbor & Frank (P)
pudgym29 (P)
zorkmead +1 (P)
mbh+1 (P)
BR (P)
Petite Gourmande +1(P)
laikom + Teresa (P)
Cookie Monster +1
Wkern +1
GAF (P)
edc+1 (P)
gastro gnome (P)
Ernest & Shirley (P)
js03618 +1

33/paid
39/reserved

rebfyffe wrote:If we haven't met the minimum, want to open this to prospective members? I'd be happy to share the opportunity to meet LTH Forum folks at the LTH Forum Holiday Party with members of the forum for which I'm a moderator, called FB Chicago Foodies, should it become necessary to put like-minded butts in chairs for the event to proceed. Ping me if you get nervous enough about headcount that you'd like to open the event to folks who aren't yet members, but are likely to wish to join.

There's no hard and fast rule for attendees to be LTH members. If you think they would enjoy the event, I'd say invite them.

Just to close the loop, I PM'd Rebecca essentially the same thing

And for those who reserved but haven't purchased their tickets yet, I've sent several PMs with the link. It is first come (and purchased), first served so no spots are guaranteed until tickets are purchased. Please don't miss out and get those tickets purchased as soon as possible!

Looking forward to seeing everyone.