Hosting a dinner party is a great way to catch up with friends and family that you might not have seen for a while. Something is relaxing about sitting around a table together and sharing a meal. But, not everyone finds that hosting a dinner party is their ideal way to unwind. Hosting formal parties can be stressful. You have to create a menu, clean your home, prepare the meal, etc. Plus, there’s the worry about it going well and making sure everyone is enjoying themselves.
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A potluck dinner party is a perfect alternative. You still get the benefits of having all of your friends and family together under one roof, but there’s much less pressure. The atmosphere can be more informal and relaxed. You’ll share the burden with others and won’t have to spend time stressing out with the preparations. Here are some tips to help you get your next potluck dinner party right.
Send Out Invites
Confirm your potluck party date, time, and place with all of your guests. If your potluck has a theme, you should ask for specific dishes related to it. For example, if the party is Super Bowl-themed, ask people to bring food that’s traditionally paired with football games (wings, stadium-style nachos, meatball sub sandwiches). You can do this by including an area on the invitation to list any special requests. Don’t forget to coordinate the invites with your theme to get your guests excited for the ambiance to come.
Assign Food
As the host, you will coordinate and ensure that everyone knows what type of food they need to bring. You don’t want anything repeated or missing food groups. Assign guests categories of food or create a sign-up sheet that you can text or email. Some people might bring a main course, and others bring appetizers, dips, salads, sides, or drinks. Make sure everyone is aware of any allergies or dietary restrictions.
Stick to Your Favorite Recipes
It’s always tempting to try new recipes but stick to your tried and true favorites for potluck dinners. You could also consider bringing a ready-to-serve dish like a salad or anything that can be served at room temperature. Your host may not have room in the oven for everyone who needs to heat their food. If you need to heat your dish, let your host know in advance.
Think About How You Will Transport the Dish
Opt for food that can be transported easily or plated when you arrive. Pack food in ready-to-serve containers, pie baskets from the Amish, and lidded casserole dishes or crockpots. Bring any serving utensils with you, so the host doesn’t have to worry about finding additional serving ware.
Do you have any tips for hosting a potluck?
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