[AdamLein]

Hm, the theme from your experience with themes seems to be that people don't bring alcohol when requested. The part of my brain that handles etiquette basically cannot process this problem at all, sorry.

Maybe get one or two of your really close friends who can handle the explanation, explain it to them, and hope your other friends figure it out by osmosis?

Alternatively, encourage a rotating hosting schedule. Good hosts make good guests.

 

[AdamLein]

You own a "yacht", you belong to a "yacht club" of course your non-boating friends expect you to cater.

Good point. Trade your boat in for something smaller and dirtier

 

[AdamLein]

I'm a little surprised to hear the number of "Get new friends" suggestions, which initially I assumed were in jest. I'd like to think that the reason people form friendships is because both parties think they get something from the interaction besides cost-sharing on food and drink.

Sure, if these friends are not valuable to you, go ahead and get new ones. My experience is that getting new friends is not a trivial process and requires some work, and if you don't put that work in, you get the sort of friends that make you want to get new friends pretty soon. If these particular friends are valuable, you need to talk to them like they're adults, or you need to modify your expectations about your relationship.

Personally I think that if throwing parties is a source of stress for you, don't do it. It's a source of stress for me, so I don't do it, and instead I go to other peoples' parties and bring something with me.