How to be a great potluck party guest

What do you make? How much do you bring? Potlucks sometimes leave more questions than answers for guests. Here are some quick tips:

1) Think before saying "yes" - if you sign up for the appetizer will you be able to commit to being right on time to the party? If not, sign up for dessert. If you are not a good cook or don't enjoy cooking, don't sign up for main dish.  Instead, offer to do something easy for you like making a fruit tray or cheese/charcuterie plate. 

2) Be considerate of limited oven/stove time - try to pick a dish that can easily be served when you arrive. If you cannot keep something warm during travel time, let you hosts know so they can save you some precious stove or oven time. 

3) Bring something that can easily be served on a plate - as opposed to making host add spoons and bowls to the tableware (and cleaning duty). 

4) Arrive on time to potlucks (or see point 1 above and notify your host). Your dish may slow the whole party to a crawl and stress out your hosts that a big part of the meal is not accounted for. 

Now go enjoy that party!

How to be a great potluck hostess

Your potluck party can be a great success but you still must be prepared. Help your generous guests know how to prepare. Here are a few ideas:

1) Choose a theme - let your guests know if the party is a casual Tex-mex or more formal holiday gathering. Guests bringing a food item to share don't want to put their tubberware next to fine china. A theme helps with all of those unspoken questions. 

2) For a potluck, know your numbers so each person will know how much to prepare. (i.e. for 20 guests, if there are 2 desserts they should each serve 10 people). 

3) Ask guests to sign up for items - two starch sides, two veggie sides, two desserts (signupgenius.com

is a great site to help make this easy).

4) Label dishes well - especially if it is a potluck. Guests like to know what they are digging into and it can really help those guests who may have allergies.

5) Prep your service ware. Your guests likely will not bring the salad tongs, or gravy ladles. Have those ready to swoop in to complete the table. 

6) Plan for leftovers. Have extra bags, plates for to go items. Let the dish maker decide if they want to bring their leftovers home or if they want to share with other guests to take home. 

Have a great potluck party!