Baby Shower potluck. Have you ever heard of those?

[Disneyland1084]

I didn't until today. I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow with my mom. Today I went on FB to look up the directions. I noticed it said "Bring your favorite side dish to share." Really, so a gift isn't enough? I thought the food was the hostess's responsibility. I've hosted baby showers before, and I always provided the food. Is expecting the guests to bring food rude and tacky?

 

[DebbieB]

I didn't until today. I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow with my mom. Today I went on FB to look up the directions. I noticed it said "Bring your favorite side dish to share." Really, so a gift isn't enough? I thought the food was the hostess's responsibility. I've hosted baby showers before, and I always provided the food. Is expecting the guests to bring food rude and tacky? I've already spent over $60 on two gifts from the registry. I'm sorry, but I'm not bringing food on top of that.

The only time I've seen that is when it's for someone at work and it's being held by coworkers.

 

[Jennasis]

Potlucks are common IMO. Showers, birthdays, reunions, etc. No big deal. Bring something, don't bring something. It's fine.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Potlucks are common IMO. Showers, birthdays, reunions, etc. No big deal. Bring something, don't bring something. It's fine.

This.

The reason it's call "pot luck" is the food served is whatever people decide to bring (if anything).

I've been to pot luck meals that only had cookies and a veggie dish.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Yes, I have heard of potlucks tied around events. It doesn't bother me. A side dish can cost less than $5, so the idea that it is a burden in addition to the gift does not seem burdensome to me.

That said, the invitation should have been abundantly clear so that you could RSVP accordingly.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It might be a regional thing. I've heard of wedding receptions in Alberta Canada that are potluck.

 

[Christine]

Yes, I have heard of potlucks tied around events. It doesn't bother me. A side dish can cost less than $5, so the idea that it is a burden in addition to the gift does not seem burdensome to me.

That said, the invitation should have been abundantly clear so that you could RSVP accordingly.

Agree. Not a big deal. Sounds like the hostess is providing the main course, dessert, and beverages. If the shower is happening over a meal time then I see it as a win-win situation.

 

[Disneyland1084]

I see it's more common than I thought. I'm glad to know that. I guess I overreacted in my first post. I just wasn't sure what to think.

 

[lizabu]

I think it's weird. If it wasn't a party I am expected to get a gift for then maybe but I think it's pushing it to ask me to bring food too

 

[jrmasm]

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

 

[canadianjovigirl]

It might be a regional thing. I've heard of wedding receptions in Alberta Canada that are potluck.

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

 

[missbrooke06]

I've heard of them but find it rude. Potlucks are fine for Super Bowl parties or game nights or even some holiday parties but for gift giving occasions, a meal should be provided by the host.

 

[disykat]

IMO, if it's not someone I'm close enough with to want to help with the party in their honor then I probably shouldn't have been invited in the first place.

Although I know more formal parties often have a host who provides the party, I really enjoy parties among close friends where everyone pitches in. It's definitely more casual and, in general, smaller and more friendly.

 

[Laura66]

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.

 

[Jennasis]

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.

 

[ronandannette]

It might be a regional thing. I've heard of wedding receptions in Alberta Canada that are potluck.

Yep and I've been to several. They're always super-casual get-togethers in a church hall or somebody's back yard. A couple of the ones we've attended were "after the fact" celebrations; one couple had eloped and the other had a destination wedding.

 

[Nohal]

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.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I think it's weird. If it wasn't a party I am expected to get a gift for then maybe but I think it's pushing it to ask me to bring food too

Ditto

 

[scrapquitler]

I didn't until today. I'm going to a baby shower tomorrow with my mom. Today I went on FB to look up the directions. I noticed it said "Bring your favorite side dish to share." Really, so a gift isn't enough? I thought the food was the hostess's responsibility. I've hosted baby showers before, and I always provided the food. Is expecting the guests to bring food rude and tacky?

Yes I've been to a couple, and I've even been to a couple of pot luck weddings. And it doesn't bother me one little bit. In each case, the hostess provided the 'main' course (sometimes a ham or turkey, or sometimes grilled meats) and the guests brought sides.

I go to a shower or wedding because I like the people being honored or celebrating. I don't go because I expect a meal provided to me. I've known cases where they wouldn't have HAD a party to celebrate the wedding if they had to provide the food because the couple just didn't have ANY money. Shouldn't they still get to celebrate with their friends?

The bottom line is that if you don't like it, you don't HAVE to go.

 

[olwyngdh]

I haven't seen it done for baby showers, but I have for wedding showers. Bring a dish and the recipe for the bride so she has a chance to taste and the beginnings of a personal cookbook.

And although it wasn't the plan, my wedding reception ended up being pot luck. We had to move the wedding up by a little over 5 months and throw it together in a week because my husband went on notice for the Gulf War and we wanted to be married before he deployed. We called my Mom and asked her to elope with us, went to buy wedding rings, and when we came home my answering machine had been busy! Mom called everyone, got the church, got a cake, and got volunteers to bring food for the reception the day we planned to elope. It was an amazing show of love for us.