Need potluck advice...

[damskipi13]

My family likes to host parties and we are quite good at it so our parties are popular. One of the parties we host every year is a July 4th party. We cook out, swim in our pool and have small fireworks in the backyard (we have a large hard surface patio around the pool.) We decorate with bunting, streamers and pinwheels. It's really quite festive. We aren't as financially flush as we used to be though so we're planning to host a potluck party. We'll pay for drinks, paper goods and the grilling meat. We were going to ask guests to bring sides, buns, and dessert.

I'm not looking to debate the etiquette of throwing a potluck party. I know some people won't approve. What I'm looking for is advice.

1. How do I indicate on the invitations that it's potluck? People aren't used to us throwing one so I want to make it clear without being tacky.

2. How do make a list of what we need and how much if our guests don't know in advance how many are coming when they sign up to bring something? We usually buy all of the supplies at the last minute with the exception of the dessert which I usually make.

3. Any other advice for ensuring it goes smoothly?

1. Since it's for the 4th, I'd add something like "Bring your favorite American side dish or dessert to share!" That way it's thematic and the potluck request gets across.
2. I agree with the others about having a signup list, but if you are worried about how much people should bring just have the sign up list go out after RSVPs are requested back. I've been to a LOT of potlucks and here's the deal - every potluck has too much food. Everybody brings enough to feed 10-20 people a full serving of whatever they are making. When you have 8 families (30 people) bringing 10-15 servings each, you end up with 120+ full servings of side dishes...and most people are going to take just a few bites of each so they can try everything. Most people don't eat a hamburger plus 4 servings worth of side dishes and dessert. Long story short - I wouldn't worry about it. Potlucks work themselves out if you have a sign up. Not having a sign up list has occasionally led to 4 different kinds of mac&cheese and no veggies (been there...)

.We just had a kids potluck party, so it was no big deal, but everyone brought either water, chips, or dessert. One person brought pasta salad. Kids don't eat much anyway, but if there were adults, it would've been a little lacking (and I had SO much left over dessert!!!). Lets face it, it's easy to grab a case of water, a bag of chips, or a box of cookies.

Another reason I like a sign up list. If you list "side dish" and "chips" separately, people get the point that you don't want tons of chips. And in that case I'd only put 1-2 lines for chips (I've seen parties with literally 20 open bags of chips that barely get eaten). Or break it out like "Salad," Potato dish," "Casserole," "Chips," if you really want to ensure variety.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Potluck is pretty high on the list of topics the DIS will argue about.

 

[jevs]

Potluck is heaps more understandable than the Aussie 'bring a plate' version.

 

[damskipi13]

Or you do this...
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/2009/11/26/awkward-family-story-the-thanksgiving-letter/

OMG I've never seen that letter before. That is hilarious. About a decade ago I knew a guy who regularly threw parties, but we stopped going after a few because everybody was assigned what to bring just like this letter. Our serving dishes weren't regulated though. I had to make the same cake every time and it was a PITA because it was a difficult recipe & design and besides, who wants to eat the same menu at every potluck? And yes, he wanted it fully decorated each time - like 3D edible decorations and everything. I remember one time he assigned something like mac & cheese to someone and the person brought pasta salad (that's close, right?) and he went ballistic! Ah, memories

Potluck is pretty high on the list of topics the DIS will argue about.

Really? I never thought of potlucks as controversial.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Really? I never thought of potlucks as controversial.

I've been truly amazed at the things I never realized were controversial that are beaten to death here. Potlucks are just one of those fun, fun topics.

 

[bsblady01]

I would make a list of what you are planning to have and ask people to bring stuff when they ask. I would not ask people to make something that would feed everyone. Most people only take a little bit of something. I would ask someone to bring ice as that is something you will need. I would have each family bring a bottle of soda, if money is an issue for you right now I would tell each family to bring there own meat as well. I got burger meat for our after softball party tomorrow and it was over $13.00 for a family pack of ground beef.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I've been truly amazed at the things I never realized were controversial that are beaten to death here. Potlucks are just one of those fun, fun topics.

No one has been like that on this thread so it seems that you may be disappointed if you keep reading here.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

No one has been like that on this thread so it seems that you may be disappointed if you keep reading here.

I think you may need to catch up with what we're actually talking about because your comment is, of course, way out of left field. I appreciate your concern though.

 

[mjkacmom]

I would make a list of what you are planning to have and ask people to bring stuff when they ask. I would not ask people to make something that would feed everyone. Most people only take a little bit of something. I would ask someone to bring ice as that is something you will need. I would have each family bring a bottle of soda, if money is an issue for you right now I would tell each family to bring there own meat as well. I got burger meat for our after softball party tomorrow and it was over $13.00 for a family pack of ground beef.

I think I've ever heard of bringing your own meat here, but the only time people are told to bring their own meat is at black parties, and even then it's rare.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

I think you may need to catch up with what we're actually talking about because your comment is, of course, way out of left field. I appreciate your concern though.

You appear to be trying to pot stir an innocent thread. Yawn.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

You appear to be trying to pot stir an innocent thread. Yawn.

IF you knew the context of my initial post, you'd understand just how wrong you are. But, go ahead with your bad self. Yawn.

 

[Lilacs4Me]

"Potluck" means just that. You tell everyone to bring a favorite dish and then you enjoy the party. It is a hodge podge of stuff but it is less work to try and organize everyone.

If you need people to bring things then you can ask for volunteers to bring XYZ and to send a text or call you.

Let your guests know what you are providing.

^^ This ^^

GENERALLY speaking:

Single men will bring chips or a bag of beef jerky. MAYBE you will get a guy who loves to cook or bake and he will make something so awesome that you better set some aside before you put it out because it will be gone first! Single younger women will bring prepackaged dips with tortilla chips or potato salad from a local deli. Moms of young kids will bring jello and/or finger foods that kids will eat. Moms of older kids will bring a fruit or pasta salad or a dessert (that she most likely commissioned her 12 year old DD to make for her), and "everyone else" will bring their favorite side dish. Beware though, because those are sometimes the same people who will put carrot shavings in their lime jello or will make hot german potato salad.

You will get some variation, but you can pretty much plan your party around the above. I would NOT do the signup on facebook or whatever - if you want that much control over the food, then supply everything yourself. If not, let everyone bring what they want, and deal with the duplicates. People are going to eat what's there, and if they have a problem eating a hot dog with 3 different types of brownies and some cheetoes, then do you really want to hang out with them anyway!??!

I suggest you provide the condiments and buns. (or ask your sister/relative who never brings ANYTHING, to go to costco and get this stuff for you. Beware - she will probably give you the receipt when she gets back....)

Have fun!!!!

 

[Grmnshplvr]

our 4th of July party is always a potluck, we create an event on facebook and every one chimes in with what they're bringing. it works out well. Actually, pretty much all our family get togethers in this area are pot luck. Unless of course its a birthday party then food is usually provided by the host.

I was invited to something last week and the invitation said "bring your own food and drinks" LOL ok then

 

[sk!mom]

I would provide everything needed for whatever I was making. For instance, if I was doing the meat, I would also do the buns, condiments, whatever. Then the invitation would read...

4th of July Pot Luck
This year we will be grilling up burgers and dogs!
Please join us and bring a side or dessert to share.

It gets to complicated to me to ask people to bring things that you MUST have. What if they cancel last minute or come later and you have no buns for the burgers? Much better for them to bring chips, sides, dessert and then you just have what you have.

We also occasionally go to casual get togethers where people bring drinks to share. Beer, wine, whatever. That would save a lot.

 

[Thing 1]

If you guest list is manageable in size and you know your guest well, I would compile a list of what you want and select who you want to bring what. You can say things like, "would you mind bringing a big bowl of that great potato salad you make" or "would you make that cute flag cake you are so good at" or to your friends with less kitchen skills, "would you mind helping out by bringing a few cases of coke or water or whatever." I have done lots of things this way and it really works pretty well.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

^^ This ^^

GENERALLY speaking:

Single men will bring chips or a bag of beef jerky. MAYBE you will get a guy who loves to cook or bake and he will make something so awesome that you better set some aside before you put it out because it will be gone first! Single younger women will bring prepackaged dips with tortilla chips or potato salad from a local deli. Moms of young kids will bring jello and/or finger foods that kids will eat. Moms of older kids will bring a fruit or pasta salad or a dessert (that she most likely commissioned her 12 year old DD to make for her), and "everyone else" will bring their favorite side dish. Beware though, because those are sometimes the same people who will put carrot shavings in their lime jello or will make hot german potato salad.

You will get some variation, but you can pretty much plan your party around the above. I would NOT do the signup on facebook or whatever - if you want that much control over the food, then supply everything yourself. If not, let everyone bring what they want, and deal with the duplicates. People are going to eat what's there, and if they have a problem eating a hot dog with 3 different types of brownies and some cheetoes, then do you really want to hang out with them anyway!??!

I suggest you provide the condiments and buns. (or ask your sister/relative who never brings ANYTHING, to go to costco and get this stuff for you. Beware - she will probably give you the receipt when she gets back....)

Have fun!!!!

Oh my gosh! This. This. This. Yes.

If you want it to be a pot luck, please don't tell people what to bring. If I want to make potato salad and someone else is also making it, oh well. That is the fun of a pot luck.