Week 13- Utica OD Post More Folks Go Out to Eat For Easter

http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060410/NEWS/604100316/1001


"Fred Valentini no longer rotates hosting Easter dinner with his relatives. It's kind of a space issue.
"Yes, a party of 30," Valentini said. "We have a big family."
It's often a tradition, or sometimes a treat, but many families celebrate Easter Sunday by going out for a dinner buffet. Area restaurants offer special spreads, usually providing a host of entrees to choose from, and reservations often are required.
Valentini, his wife, Maria, and their daughter, Arianna, will have dinner with 27 of their closest relatives Sunday at Daniele at Valley View Country Club. This will be the family's fourth Easter spent at the restaurant.
"To have that many people at one house would be a phenomenal amount of work to prepare," Valentini said. "Where are you going to sit that many people at one table?"

I certainly understand that entertaining 30 guests for dinner would be a difficult, if not daunting task, but still I think there is something impersonal about going to dinner for a holiday, especially Christmas or Easter, to a restaurant. The point of the holiday is somewhat cheapened when it just becomes another production that can be "produced" anywhere. I would think if each family group signed up to bring some of the food, it would not be too much work for any one family. I do admit 30 people would be a lot of people to squeeze into most homes today, but what did people do in the "old days"? They just 'made room' as they could. Another factor I think should be considered is that when people patronize restaurants for holidays, it means that the staff at the restaurant has to work, and they do not usually have any choice in the matter, so they may not have time to spend with their own families for the holiday.

In other words, I think everyone should just stay home and celebrate with their own families.