A meal is the whole experience of getting together and sharing with friends. It is more than food.

New needs and requests add to the fun of it.

Cooking is a good unifier. It gives people the opportunity to work together.

The disaster is always greater to the one having the event. No one else really notices -- they are busy having a great time.

The look of the table immediately gets people in the mood.

It doesn't have to be overwhelming. It's not worth the effort -- you don't have to do everything yourself.