Bring your own meat cookout party? Tacky?

[Lovemydog]

Hello! I was thinking about throwing a last-day-school open house type party, inviting about 60 kids and adults. We would have beer & other beverages and munchies, but ask people to bring their own food to grill if they will be here at dinner time. Is this tacky? How would you work the invite?
Thanks in advance for any opinions/advice/tips!

 

[floridafam]

I wouldn't mind bringing my own meat to a party. I think it's a nice idea.
That way, everyone gets what they want.

As long as the invite is worded in a catchy way then I think most people will find it okay.

 

[twinklebug]

I'm not good with tact I'll give it a try though, how about adding:

We'll gladly provide Beer, sodas & munchies, Looking for volunteers to bring hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad! Call if you can help!

Be aware that if you do ask someone to being the burgers or dogs you don't know what quality you'll wind up with. We were asked once to bring enough burgers to feed 25 people at a time we didn't have much to spend. I felt bad, but we could only afford the cheap boxed stuff for that quantity of people.

 

[Kay1]

IMO, it's a little tacky. Could you serve hot dogs and hamburgers and ask everyone to bring their favorite dish? Or skip the BBQ and just have a covered dish party? Also, the idea of all those people trying to cook on your grill sounds tricky.

 

[Green Tea]

I've actually been invited to a BYOM party. Everyone took their own M, but I have to say people did laugh (snicker) about it for years afterwards. I wouldn't advise doing a party that way. Serve what you can afford, and have a great time.

 

[DisneyFanatik]

I know that alot of people have "bring your own" parties, including members of DH's family, but honestly I think that it is very tacky. If I can't afford to pay for a party then I don't have a party. If someone offers to make and bring a special dish then that is different, but having people come to my house bringing their own meat is not something that sits right with me. JMO!

 

[ChristmasElf]

Just ask everyone to bring a covered dish to share. You provide the hamburgers and hotdogs. You can get a really good deal on the hambuger at Costco or BJs. Hotdogs too for that matter. And most kids will want hotdogs anyway so the cost shouldn't be too bad.

 

[floridafam]

I guess I'm in the minority. I think it's cute. I always am really careful with meat and we have been to a lot of parties where people aren't and I always wish I could just bring my own.

I guess you could do the bring a covered dish thing and just serve the meat yourself.

I suppose it might be difficult to make sure everyone's meats are placed on the grill in a timely fashion if people start arriving at different times.

 

[branv]

I would never invite someone to my home and expect them to bring their own food. I also probably would never hold a potluck unless it was a close family dinner or some kind of function where I'm not so much the host but the planner (like a church or work potluck kind of thing). If you can't afford to feed them, then simply have the party during a non-meal time and provide snacks, cake and drink items.

I can guarantee that while some people won't think twice about it, just as many will be talking about how tacky it is. If that doesn't bother you, then do what feels best for you and your family.

 

[Lady V]

we did it once and it was awesome and we had TONS of food leftover! We just told everyone to bring their favorite meat and beverages and that we would provide the grills, and sides and breads. It was a smash and everyone was really excited to show their 'special' grill concoctions. It was awesome. We set up a volleyball net and it was great.

also-you know your friends so don't worry about the negatives people are telling you-if people don't like the idea then they won't come. Plain and simple. And I think that if they are really your "friends" anyways then they wouldn't talk and snicker for years to come. JMHO

 

[writersblock42]

It is culture. For instance, I grew up where each person bringing something was just what was done. The exceptions of course are for any events where the host is expecting gifts (birthday, wedding, graduation and things like that). But for picnics on fourth of july, memorial day and labor day-everybody brought something. And sometimes picnics are bring your own stuff.

 

[msmayor]

We do BYOF (bring your own food) parties CONSTANTLY in my neighborhood. Its almost tradition during the summer, on Sundays. Someone has a pound of chicken, someone has some burgers, maybe another has a small steak marinating. We usually end up at one of the houses that has a pool and everyone pitches in with whatever they scrounge up as a side dish. Everything is cooked and served buffet style; no one worries about eating only what they brought. If one family has nothing to contribute (maybe they were away all weekend) it doesn't matter...they're still welcome to join in as we know it all 'evens out' in the end.

They are perhaps the best meals we eat all week.

 

[twinklebug]

We do BYOF (bring your own food) parties CONSTANTLY in my neighborhood. Its almost tradition during the summer, on Sundays. Someone has a pound of chicken, someone has some burgers, maybe another has a small steak marinating. We usually end up at one of the houses that has a pool and everyone pitches in with whatever they scrounge up as a side dish. Everything is cooked and served buffet style; no one worries about eating only what they brought. If one family has nothing to contribute (maybe they were away all weekend) it doesn't matter...they're still welcome to join in as we know it all 'evens out' in the end.

They are perhaps the best meals we eat all week.

Ohh yum. So where do you live? I'm moving your way!

 

[Goofyzgurl]

I think it's tacky. If I had to bring my own meat and dogs and stuff, why don't I just stay home and grill at my own house. Whenever I'm invited to something, I always ask what side dish the host wants me to bring, but they provide the main entree.

 

[virgojmk]

We have been to a girl scout event, where we brought our own meat, and we were fine with it, but a few parents didn't bring anything, and of course we felt we had to share(luckily we were raised always bring a little extra just in case, as was another family).
I would suggest probably supply the hamburgers and hot dogs, and have them bring their own beer, since beer can but even more $ then the meat. I agree, I would go to Costco. Around here, Ball Park beef franks are 7.99 for 3 packs(at the reg store they are 4.99 per pack). Don't remember the exact package size or price for hamburgers, think it was like 13.99 for 18 of their sirloin patties. Reg hamburger meat ones are even cheaper.
We also have a Smart and Final around here, don't have to have a membership, and still has great prices on bulk products.

 

[Ludwig Von Drake]

msmayor must live in my neighborhood! We call them "fire and ice" parties, as that is what the "host" provides. Lots of casual summer fun!

 

[clm3]

I would just do a good old fashion pot luck. Have everyone bring their favorite dish and beverage to share. That way no one has to be stuck behind the grill and everyone can just visit and have fun. JMO

 

[Nicolepa]

I would supply hot dogs & hamburgers and tell everyone they are welcome to bring whatever they'd like for the grill. I do think it would be just a bit tacky if they had to bring a meat, but if you inform them that they are welcome to bring something else if they are inclined you're fine. We do this every year for our neighborhood 4th of July Party.

We do like msmayor all summer. It's usually a case of the kids, or the husbands inviting someone over but not checking first to see what we have. So we'll be like, I have 3 chicken breasts, some broccoli, & green beans. My neighbor will be, I have 2 steaks, some potatoes, bread, some girl scout cookies and ice cream. Then we'll say, sounds good see you in a bit!

 

[canwegosoon]

msmayor must live in my neighborhood! We call them "fire and ice" parties, as that is what the "host" provides. Lots of casual summer fun!

I like this...but in my experience, provide the meat and rolls/condiments/drinks and ask others to bring a side. Or if this is close friends ask if one will bring the sodas, potato salad, plates/napkins, and desserts...etc...I would still cover the meat/rolls/condiments. This is what I have done in the past(I have been willing to buy everything myself-but when people want to know what to bring, then I offer a suggestion, usually in the $6-10 range)

 

[alikat99]

I would supply hot dogs & hamburgers and tell everyone they are welcome to bring whatever they'd like for the grill. I do think it would be just a bit tacky if they had to bring a meat, but if you inform them that they are welcome to bring something else if they are inclined you're fine. We do this every year for our neighborhood 4th of July Party.

That's what we did in the past once. We had a party and mentioned that the grill would be available, and we would supply hamburgers and hotdogs, but if you wanted to grill something else, you could. Most just enjoyed the stuff that we had, but we did have a few friends that brought chicken or steak.