<p>It seems that for some people (if you want them to bring something), you need to be very concrete. That is funny that someone would bring a bag of potatoes instead of mashed potatoes (there’s always Bob Evans). It’s actually too bad that people with no mashed potato or jello skills didn’t just say something to the effect that they were not good with those things. Is there something else you need? I was a little surprised to be asked to bring something to a graduation party last weekend. Not sure I would do that but things seem less formal these days . We were family (as is the case of the OP) and would have been happy to voluntarily ask if we could bring something. Just a little surprised that the evite that went out to everybody specifically said to bring an appetizer or dessert to share (especially when my relatives have plenty of money).</p>
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<p>(you haven’t met my MIL)</p>
<p>lol…if anything, read the short, easy instructions on the pkg.</p>
<p>Yea, but I’ll bet the request was for something fancy with jello! That’s a whole other ballgame. I actually like to cook but it can be intimidating when you’re asked to bring something if it’s not something you usually do or would think of yourself.</p>
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<p>In close families it seems we all know each others’ specialties and limitations. We know that one BIL loves to make is green bean casserole, one SIL makes fab pear pies, a sister and another SIL makes super cookies, and so forth…so the potluck list is rather pre-defined.</p>
<p>However, when dealing with unknowns, it can be best to ask for things like a dessert, beverage, or appetizer to share. then if the person has cooking limitations, he/she can opt for a bottle of wine, 12 pack of soda, case of water, etc.</p>
<p>I have to chuckle about the single guy bringing Gatorade to Tgiving (assuming the guests weren’t going to be doing sporty things that day). My H would have made that faux pas. </p>
<p>I used to have an older bachelor uncle. he never learned how to cook, but to every event he brought a huge cooler stuffed with sodas and beer on ice…and if it was in the summer, there would also be a watermelon. And in other seasons, he’d also bring a bunch of Marie Callendar pies 
He was always a very welcomed guest. :)</p>
<p>Consider yourself blessed. A bit off topic…but my H fishes and always has amazing frozen stuff. So, when his family invites us to dinner it goes something like this…</p>
<p>Are you guys free on Friday? Would you like to come to dinner? Great. Um…do you mind bringing some Sushi, Poke, and fish steaks for the BBQ? Would you mind doing the BBQing since you do it so well? Great. Oh did I mention there would be 3 other couples.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I have a cousin and nephew who work in the booze industry. They dont mind providing booze for close family’s events, but it gets to the point that no matter who invites them, there is always this add-on request to supply for the entire party. </p>
<p>(odd fact…my cousin has worked as a booze rep for over 25 years, yet she has never drank alcohol ever.)</p>
<p>Is asking someone to bring pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving dinner being specific enough? Actually, it is not. BIL and SIL brought some kind of gelatinous mess from a neighborhood pie exchange. Looked like it had been dropped from a height. Might have been a strawberry pie. I was not brave enough to eat any.</p>
<p>(odd fact…my cousin has worked as a booze rep for over 25 years, yet she has never drank alcohol ever.)</p>
<p>Maybe those things are connected?</p>
<p>I just learned that the LDS niece of my VERY LDS sister, goes to Burning Man.
Ive only * met* casually, someone who has been to Burning Man, & I would have sworn that my sister didnt even know what it was!
:)</p>
<p>Yea, that pumpkin pie sounds pretty bad. Sometimes if you know someone has a history of being clueless, you can head that kind of thing off and ask them to bring nothing or something like beer or wine (although even with that I guess you could have someone think that means they should bring some Mad Dog 20/20 or some Boone’s Farm).
For me, the key things at a holiday are important . Good mashed potatoes, stuffing,pumpkin pie at Thanksgiving for instance. That would be disappointing to have those things not be up to par. I admit though that I have actually made a Mrs. Smith pumpkin pie (for my immediate family) and it tasted great. </p>
<p>Someone told me about a single man who said he would bring the turkey to a communal Thankgiving and did so–only it was raw and frozen solid. :)</p>
<p>The funny thing about the person I asked to bring jello is that she had extremely picky children and jello was one of the few things they would actually eat. I asked her to bring jello so her kids would have something to eat. </p>
<p>^^^^</p>
<p>lol…you would think that if jello was something that she knew her kids would eat, she would know how to make it! </p>
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<p>lolololololol</p>
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This. This made me give the biggest snort. </p>