Bring your own meat cookout party? Tacky?

[swilshire]

We've done this for family functions a couple of times and it always seems to get complicated. I think it would be easier to buy the meat and have the guests bring everything else. Then you don't get into everyone cooking their own meat to suit them.

Sheila

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

I think the only complication could be that since it is an open house with people from school that you don't know really well you don't know how it will be recieved.

We have porch parties all the time here -- on my good friend's porch. We all bring something to contribute. Sometimes more than 1 thing. It's lots of fun, but these are good friends and we all know eachother well.

A few years back DH and I threw New Year's Day brunch parties. He and I worked our buns off preparing food -- lots of food for the party. We made the breakfast casserole from Crystal Palace, baked French toast, Gravlax, wings, cheesy grits, etc etc etc. But we asked people to bring a salad/side dish or dessert. Did people think it was tacky? I have no idea. I didn't think to ask the almost 100 people who showed up. After we stopped doing the parties because of changes in DH's work schedule people still asked us every year if we were having the party.

 

[happygirl]

Maybe it would be better for you all to provide the meat, and then let everyone bring a side dish I think that would go over better

 

[DawnMarie]

Most people are saying they do this with friends. Among friends I can understand but I don't think it's ok to do this with "associates".

 

[BethR]

I can't believe we have to attach "tacky" and "rude" to such a fun event.

Here is an idea... see if one or two of your neighbors could wheel their grill(s) over for the event.

People just need to relax and have fun.

I totally agree.

 

[Chicago526]

I've never heard of a BYO meat party, but it's an interesting idea. If I got an invite like that, I'd just think it was different, not rude or tacky.

Personaly I'd provide the meat and ask everyone bring a side or desert of their choice, I think it's easier on the guests and since it's more the norm, it won't be confusing or have the posibility of offending anyone (I wouldn't care, but other's might, as we can see by the length of this thread!). But BYOM isn't a bad idea, if you think your friends/family/neighbors would go for it.

 

[Schachteles]

My brother and his wife do this for their kids' birthday parties and honestly it makes my skin crawl each time I open an invite and see that you need to bring your own meat to grill and drinks!! But I am different like that (hamburgers and hot dogs are just not that expensive), I cannot imagine making people do that and never have, never will!! But on the other hand I would be fine with seeing an invite asking you to bring a dish to share. That will help out a lot.

 

[TenThousandVolts]

OOOPS- posted in wrong place!

 

[DisneyBeagle]

My brother and his wife do this for their kids' birthday parties and honestly it makes my skin crawl each time I open an invite and see that you need to bring your own meat to grill and drinks!! But I am different like that (hamburgers and hot dogs are just not that expensive), I cannot imagine making people do that and never have, never will!! But on the other hand I would be fine with seeing an invite asking you to bring a dish to share. That will help out a lot.

I think this is tacky. You invite someone to a birthday party, you expect them to bring a gift for your child and your own meat?

 

[Schachteles]

I think this is tacky. You invite someone to a birthday party, you expect them to bring a gift for your child and your own meat?

THAT IS WHAT MY DH AND I ARE SAYING!!! It is BEYOND tacky. For some party situations I can see that, but NOT birthday parties. Generally we don't go to the parties because it bugs us THAT bad and if we do go then we don't eat.

 

[Grumpy's Gal]

We've been to LOTS of bbq's that the invite read "Bring your own meat to grill and a side dish to share."

It was GREAT! SOme people don't eat red meat, some people only eat organic, etc. This way, everyone who wants meat can have it and everyone who doesn't, won't.

Great idea!

 

[TravelinGal]

Our bible study group does this every summer! Each family brings a covered dish/chips/dessert -whatever - for everyone to share and then they bring meat for their own family.

Not everyone likes the same thing. This way everyone gets what they WANT!

Not tacky at all IMHO.

 

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

We've been to LOTS of bbq's that the invite read "Bring your own meat to grill and a side dish to share."

It was GREAT! SOme people don't eat red meat, etc.

heh heh heh, they do at my parties...

Maybe it's the special brownies uncle chuck always brings.

 

[TPCShauna]

I am an incredibly picky meat eater and would probably be vegetarian if I didn't like the taste so much. I will almost always bring my own meat to a BBQ because I don't eat hot dogs at all and I don't eat hamburgers unless I know what is in them. I've found it's just easier to bring my own than worry about not having something to eat. I do always ask the host beforehand if they mind and I've never had anyone balk.

To the OP, I don't know that I would bother with a BBQ if it is an Open House since people may or may not come. Also, you mentioned that families are very busy that night and going to another event (even though it is a party) might be the last thing they want to do.

If you do an Open House, you can certainly do BBQ themed finger foods like chicken wings or pigs in a blanket and ask your guests to bring a side dish. Provide the finger foods and non-alcoholic beverages and leave it at that. I would word the invite something like, "Join us for an Open House celebrating the end of another successful year. We'll have plenty of BBQ themed finger foods so BYOB and a side dish to share and we will be happy to see you there!"

If you choose the BYOM route, I would word the invite something like, "We are firing up the grill to celebrate the end of another smokin' hot year. We'll provide side dishes, desserts, kid-friendly drinks and a hot grill for you to prepare your best BBQ dish. Bring your own meat and adult beverages and we'll see you there!"

Good luck!

 

[BethR]

I would word the invite something like, "Join us for an Open House celebrating the end of another successful year. We'll have plenty of BBQ themed finger foods so BYOB and a side dish to share and we will be happy to see you there!"

Very nicely worded!

 

[If U Had Wings]

My family throws a large reunion party every year. The aunt who hosts the party collects a small donation from each family for the meat, and then everyone brings a dish to share. It seems to work out pretty well, but it is a family get together. I'm not sure how I'd approach something like this with a non-family get together.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

But on the other hand I would be fine with seeing an invite asking you to bring a dish to share. That will help out a lot.

yup!

 

[lillygator]

My brother and his wife do this for their kids' birthday parties and honestly it makes my skin crawl each time I open an invite and see that you need to bring your own meat to grill and drinks!! But I am different like that (hamburgers and hot dogs are just not that expensive), I cannot imagine making people do that and never have, never will!! But on the other hand I would be fine with seeing an invite asking you to bring a dish to share. That will help out a lot.

sorry, but I think that is beyond tacky.
You shouldn't have to bring your own food to a party.

 

[SaraMc]

When we first came out of university and still were very poor, we would have bring your own meat parties because we were the only ones in my group of friends who had a bbq, and a house for that matter. So people would come over and cook thier meat and we would have a good time.
However now that we are all older all have kids and mortgages its a diffrent story. I dont think that we would even try that now. If anyone has anything special that they want to bring they still bring it, like a friend of ours who is a vegitarian always brings a veggie dish. ect but no, not now. We spring for the meat.