Baby Shower potluck. Have you ever heard of those?

[MIGrandma]

I've never heard of a hostess asking people to bring food to a shower.

We have church potlucks, and potlucks for family birthdays, etc. but for showers and weddings it seems a little strange to be asked to also bring a side dish or something. I personally think if someone wants to host a shower they need to provide the food, even if it is just cake, punch, mints & nuts.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Really??? That's where I live and have never heard of a potluck wedding reception or shower for that matter.

You must run with a more upscale crowd.

 

[Skywalker]

This is a new one to me! Never been to, or heard of, a potluck shower. I thought these events were hosted by the bridal party / friends? I would only expect to bring something if I was part of the planning, not if I was just a guest.

 

[bellebud]

This is a new one to me! Never been to, or heard of, a potluck shower. I thought these events were hosted by the bridal party / friends? I would only expect to bring something if I was part of the planning, not if I was just a guest.

this sums it up perfectly!

 

[aprilgail2]

Not cool. If I'm bringing a gift, I'm not bringing food unless it's an office shower.

I've never heard of that! If I am throwing a shower for someone or an attendant in a wedding I'd help - but asking all the guests? I'm throwing in my vote for rude.

Wow thats a new one to me. I have never heard of this nor would I want to bring a side. I think its rude to have the invited guests bring food.

I agree-- VERY rude to ask a guest to contribute food!!

 

[Lilliputian]

I've never been invited to a potluck shower, but I don't see the problem. The mother isn't supposed to host it, so one of her friends ends up paying a lot of money for someone else's party. There's nothing wrong with friends sharing the burden.

Now I do think it's a logistical nightmare, especially if everyone is bringing a side dish. Pot lucks are usually for gatherings with whole families. Every family brings enough food to feed their whole family. People come to showers by themselves. If everyone brings a side big enough to serve 4 people, that's a lot more food than you need. Maybe some of the guests got drinks or deserts, though.

 

[metz72]

In my area you are expected to bring a pack of diapers and a book with a special note to the child in addition to a gift.If they start doing potlucks I will not be going.

 

[NewRVLady]

Most baby showers in my area are punch, tea sandwiches and cake provides by the hostesses, this is the South


My DIL's was in New York state-a sit down lunch with wine and Champagne (not for baby mama)-it was very nice , elegant .
Her Mom paid for the affair, I helped with the alcohol bill

Everyone was asked to bring a book-baby now has oodles of books for his parents to read to him

 

[Disneychick75]

I've heard of family helping out by bringing food but I've never heard of asking this of guests.

 

[Pixiedustaway]

Long island here and have never been to or heard of a pot luck baby shower.

 

[ashley0139]

I threw a baby shower for my best friend. I wouldn't call it a pot luck per se, but I did ask a few of my closer friends attending the shower to bring a dish. I was young, and I couldn't afford to provide food for everyone that was coming. Maybe you'll say that I shouldn't have thrown it then, but I was her best friend and she wanted me to throw it for her. The people I asked were happy to bring something (I did ask them specifically and didn't just post about it on Facebook) and there were plenty of people that were not asked to bring anything.

 

[sasywtch]

I previously had read some books from years past and watched old movies (think Little House Prarie time). Weddings, new babies, any event all brought dishes of food, knitted or handmade gifts to bring. Somewhere along the lines, the neighborly feeling became the hostess responsibility.

Maybe the hostess doesn't have a lot of money or working a lot of overtime. You are going to celebrate the shower person, not worry who should do what. Take a nice dish, smile and celebrate the shower person.

 

[Handbag Lady]

I don't mind as long as the food request is stated in the invitation.


I attended a really neat garden wedding once that was outside of my comfort zone. The parents on both sides were true hippies and among other things, the married women guests were asked to make the aisle out of provided wild flowers for the bride. We all were not sure what they meant, so we went with it. Turns out, that is exactly what they wanted...for us to make it our own. It was so beautiful. Each lady had worked on one section so it was like a patchwork of differences in various colors.

And I also didn't mind doing the requested clean-up at the end of the reception, either.

 

[missbrooke06]

I've been to lots of lovely cake and punch showers. That can be done for about $50. I just feel that you host the party you can pay for. It doesn't need to be a full meal and open bar.

I will say there's a big difference between plopping "Bring a dish to pass" on the invite and the host[ess] calling up a few close friends/family and saying "Would you be willing to bring something for X's shower?"

 

[Laura66]

I previously had read some books from years past and watched old movies (think Little House Prarie time). Weddings, new babies, any event all brought dishes of food, knitted or handmade gifts to bring. Somewhere along the lines, the neighborly feeling became the hostess responsibility.

Maybe the hostess doesn't have a lot of money or working a lot of overtime. You are going to celebrate the shower person, not worry who should do what. Take a nice dish, smile and celebrate the shower person.

If the hostess does not have enough money you tone down the guest list, decorations and food budget. Asking close friends or family who are helping host is fine - guest bringing gifts is not.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I was invited to a wedding once for one of my students. When I got there, after the ceremony, I was asked to help not only actually cook the meal but to help set up, serve and clean up as well. I found it very unusual to say the least, but I pitched in.

You sound like a good sport. When you got home you were probably wondering, what the heck? and were exhausted.