My parents also had those dinner parties, pretty regularly, when I was a teenager. They were feasts! I can’t imagine anyone in their circle of friends rejecting an invitation. Usually it was several couples who came at a time, maybe 3 or 4 other couples.
My little sister and I acted as wait staff, and removed the dishes when they were finished, and brought out dessert and after dinner drinks (coffee or other adult beverages). After we finished the dishes we were allowed to go to our bedroom and study. Those were the days!
I do think, looking back, that events like those helped shape me into someone who has a joy for cooking for others. It’s a small gift that I can share with others.
Oh, you were lucky! “Us” kids were banned to one of the bedrooms and told to stay out of the dining room and living room - we got TV dinners so we were happy - and got to watch TV until we all fell asleep.
I always remember the next morning b/c the house smelled like smoke - lots of people smoked cigarettes in those days and you wouldn’t dare ask them to go outside to smoke.
My mother had a beautiful crystal ash tray that she could never find when company came over - but always found it somehow at the last minute. After she died, I looked for that ashtray and couldn’t find it. I did find a smaller one, though.
Those were good days, I recall them fondly.