Lately I've been invited to a lot of home parties, not house parties but "home parties." As in the type of party that women over the age of 25 are invited to as an excuse go out (dump your boyfriends, husbands and children) and get to together to shop, eat and drink in the comfort of a girlfriends home.
The idea is nothing new (think Tupperware) and you'd be hard pressed to find a girl out there who hasn't been invited to at least one candle, jewelry, food storage system, cookware, house wares, beauty products, sex toys or clothing party. Usually a friend will invite you over for an evening of food, drinks and the chance to shop for whatever the sales rep is selling (and in turn that hostess will receive huge discounts on products for themselves.) It's easy to see the appeal.
I myself don't mind them cuz I'll take any opportunity to get out for an evening with friends to talk, drink a lot of wine and shop for more stuff I likely don't need. (Refer to previous hoarding post)
I recently picked up this completely over priced necklace from a jewelry home party. Apparently it's the same one that Courtney Cox's character Jules wears in "Cougar Town". It sucked me in....once again.
Honestly I also like supporting my friends who've decided to earn extra income by selling the products and brands they like. And often the stuff is really good so why wouldn't I get behind them and throw down some cash?
Who ever dreamed up the "Home party" concept was a fracking genius. "Yes, let's get a group of women together in a confined area with their friends, give them a 3 minute sales pitch, fill a table full of product and encourage them to drink wine and then buy buy buy."
Sounds good to me!
So do you get invited to home parties by your friends looking to sell stuff to you and how do you feel about them? Are they a fun excuse to get together with your girls and shop or would you rather pass on the idea and head for the mall?
P.S. Mama isn't endorsing or selling any particular brand or product here. She only shops.
images via google, ebay
23 comments:
I'm not big on home parties (and I used to sell Arbonne) but the best home party I attended recently? A clothing swap. Holy crap there was some GOOOOOOD stuff there. Get 10 or so ladies together, have them bring their clothing, shoes, jewelry, unused beauty/hair products, add adult beverages and food, and lemme tell ya, it makes for a great evening!!
merci!
Shannan
3 minute sales pitch? The last party I went to the rep yapped the entire time and made us all model jewelry etc etc and we all just wanted to mingle, eat and shop at our own pace. I dont think she sold much because people we sick of it before we were 'allowed' to get up and actually get our money out.
The thing I dont like about these parties is the people who always invite me to them have never invited me to their house unless it is to bring my wallet. So I stopped going to them unless it's something I actually want like partylite candles or something. It would be nice of the hostesses thought to invite people over for a drink, dinner, tea without having to shop.
Yes! Great excuse to get together and spend money!! I had a friend who served liquor at their party instead of wine. They made really really good martinis! After a couple of those, we all started pulling out the credit cards! I have never bought so much at a party before! The sales rep told my friend that it was the most successful party she has ever had! So, be careful if you go to a party that serves liquor! You may end up with a lot more than what you intended to buy! :)
I think I get invited to a Stella and Dot party at least once a month...my friends know my secret, give me a glass of wine and I will buy something!!
some of the stuff isn't bad, but it's just like when i hang with my friends i don't want to have to think about anything else... and i'm a compulsive shopper, give me wine and i'll end up buying something or lots of somethings... the necklace is really cute.
http://laurenlanzaosias.blogspot.com
a giveaway!!! yay!!! & check out my oscar blog... it's the freaking oscars
I sell Pampered Chef and do about 2-3 parties per week so obviously I am a big supporter... Direct sales is so empowering for women who can own their own business and accomplish things they have never dreamed of before..
Direct sales is also the fastest growing and most profitable sector in the WORLD! Pretty neat!!! Plus you get customized service etc etc... I never yak too long though- 15 minute recipe demo and bring on the vino!!! hehehe Love this post :D
the last one i was invited to was about a year ago and i declined. whether it's kitchen utensils or candles or jewelry, it's usually nice looking stuff that i could PROBABLY find a use for... but they're always overpriced (in my opinion). i always rationalize that i could probably find the same thing at TJ Maxx for half the price AND there won't be any pressure about having to make a purchase.
did i mention i'm totally broke...?
no home parties here :-( maybe im in the wrong circle?! or maybe i need to move to canada and mingle with your crowd!!!
have a good weekend girl!
<3 megan
To be honest I'm not a fan. I like my friends thinking of me as friends, not dollar signs. I'll glady go out with the girls, but not with a hidden agenda attached. Whether the friends hosting these parties have a hidden agenda or not, I'm not sure, but it seems like everyone and their dog sells something these days, Mary Kay, Arbonne, Avon and so forth. If the ladies selling are making good coin, then more power to them, just don't think of me as a recruit or dollar sign .. I find it almost offensive .... so no, I'd rather not attend one. Becuase I've gone to a couple and not baught anything, and you just know the host/sales rep resents you for it. MALL all the way! But if you have fun and enjoy yourself and liek supporting your friends then hey, that's all that matters, right?
My favourite is a "toe-party", where an aesthetician comes to the house and everyone gets a pedicure.
Awesome!
Hmmm? No home parties for me here in Germany...I´m hoarding Tupperware but that´s all. I´m not a fan of home parties, I love to go shopping/having lunch/eating tons of cake with my girls once a week (almost every Saturday, you should join us- gimme a call when you´re in Europe ;)). Hi, my name is Doro and I´m a shopoholic.
Once again I missed three of your recent posts because I´m freaking busy with job,kids, husband. I´m burnt out and need some retail therapy. Ha!
It totally depends on the type of party... and I've been to a lot of parties. I do end up feeling like I should buy something, especially if it's a good friend. But I'm not huge on the idea and I've never had one because I don't want to put pressure on my friends. It is a really smart idea though....
Have a fabulous weekend!!
XOXO
http://lovejennyxoxo.blogspot.com/
Mostly kitchen home parties...Like Pampered Chef or Tastefully Simple. The problem is they never change up enough and you end up having a ton of it when you are invited. I spend the money though, because you do get sucked it. I NEVER have them though. I only go....
I love the necklace! My mom has sold Princess House, Pampered Chef, and now Norwex (I love their products) and my sister-in-law sells Gold Canyon candles so yes I've been to many parties! And my girlfriend will be having a party shortly for Silpada so I'll be doing some damage at that one!
Love the dance song on your blog .. I was wondering who it was so now I can download it =)
My girlfriend Babette makes the prettiest jewelry and had bi-annual parties. I love them!! :-)
hahaha I love home parties, we try to schedule one per month and get really drunk from wine :D
and yeah I like supporting friends when they sell stuff either, I've bought a lot of local designed items in the last few years
I swear once a week is a home party in the neighborhood and I love it. It's a great excuse to go out and chat with ladies and have cocktails. I love for these parties....lol
Love your blog :) I've just become a new follower.
Would love it if you could check my blog out -
CupcakesCocktailsCouture
X
I've been doing my best to stay away from home parties these past few years. They are just SO tempting...there is so much fabulous makeup, jewelery, and kitchen products I don't need but want. It's hard b/c I have a couple close friends, plus my boyfriend's mother, who are all about them. Sigh. ;)
Oh My Gosh, I am a HUGGGGGEEE sucker for these parties!! I love them!!
Really, is there any way we could move near each other and become neighbors?? We're like the same person!!
HAHAHA i can't believe you actually got an email from hoarding alive!! that is so funny, perhaps I will see you on there one day ;)
I love home parties! A girlfriend of mine through a designer denim party a few years ago -- complete with cupcakes and champagne -- and it was amazing. Great idea! xo style, she wrote
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