Potluck parties are best when the host, as well as the guests, are too busy to organize a formal party but would love to get together and just enjoy the bonding moment. Not only potluck parties save time for everybody but it also provides a great way to assemble friends and families in a less formal setting where everybody is expected to bring only themselves and the food they are going to share with the rest of the group.
Most potluck parties are done on impulse but there are some get-togethers made in such setting just because it’s the most comfortable thing to do for the whole group. On the other hand, seniors love to throw potluck parties because it’s fun, easy and the best way to sample others’ cooking expertise. When you are invited to a potluck party, it is but natural to bring the most delicious dish you could prepare but sometimes it can get harder than one could think since ideas to bring never runs out.
The usual blunder a potluck party could commit is that when almost all of the guests have brought similar types of food so basically, potluck party STILL needs a little organizing to ensure this mistake never occurs. The host should designate a type of food a particular guest could bring along. Also, it would be great if a guest could specify what kind of dish he or she is going to bring to the party. Again, this is done to avoid two identical foods from arriving to the event. Furthermore, don’t forget to assign someone for the drinks—something that is always forgotten in a potluck party. Here’s a list of what needs to be brought based on themes:
· Appetizers
· Main course
· Dessert
· Drinks
If you are the host, don’t forget to prepare serving plates, utensils and other stuff your guests might need ahead of time. Usually, guests arrive with their share still in pots and pans so you’ll need to transfer them in serving plates, baskets or warmers, if needed.
Whether you’re the host or you’re about to attend a potluck party, your share should be something that is not too painful to prepare and not too hard to transfer from one house to another. You should never base the amount of food to the number of people attending the party but that doesn’t mean you should carry less too; bring an adequate amount you could easily transport. Usually, when the host specifically asked for your signature dish, it’s because they want that dish to appear during the party so don’t attempt to make fancy dishes that won’t satisfy the rest of the group. Some of the most popular dishes in a potluck party are: casseroles, breads, cookies and salads.
