Not like a random stranger, but someone with a connection to you like a shared job or activity or something who you had talked to on the phone but never met.
What would you bring? I offered to bring dessert but they said no they had already planned something. I thought about wine, but I don’t drink and maybe that would be awkward. Flowers?
Also, if you had a significant dietary restriction, would you tell the person inviting you or just plan on eating around it. Our restriction isn’t life threatening, so eating around is an option.
Flowers would be lovely. (I recently brought a flowering potted plant, same idea). But sometimes the nicest thing you can do, if everybody enjoys the evening, is to return the invitation.
I agree, but I won’t know till after I get there if I will like them enough to do that or if they will like me enough to say yes (the latter is probably the issue, I like most people).
So, I should probably bring something in hand in case things go badly and my job is done!
That would not be safe. I would pull over on the way there and eat the whole box! Then we are back where we started except with a chocolatey smile on my face.
But of course we would have bought a box for ourselves too! Duh!
Re fresh flowers, they’re nice, but I’m of two minds. I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to stop my preparations, find a vase, cut the stems, and find a place for them to go. I guess I would say bring them in a way that can just be set somewhere.
I agree about uncut flowers. It seems lazy to me. Bring a plant, a flower arrangement or a Yankees candle! Also, unless you are allergic to something, or are a vegetarian I would not bring up any other restrictions.
Since you don’t drink, how about some high end sparkling water in a pretty bag or with a bow around it to make it festive. Would be good for any dining table - drinkers or non-drinkers. Can use it as is or as a mixer.
I drink very little and buying a bottle of wine would be like the blind leading the blind. Fancy sparkling water I can do!
Our Safeway grocery store has a lovely flower department (run by a young friend I’ve known since she was a 7year old Sunday School student). For house gifts I purchase cut flowers in a vase or a potted plant there. I also have an assortment of cheap vases (from flower gifts) at home and could make my own arrangement…. they are just prettier done by a professional.