H and I are invited to attend a “welcome baby” party for our new grandchild, hosted by a friend of the child’s mother, who is our daughter. (D did not want a shower, insists on no gifts, so this is the very nice low key alternative gathering.) It is described as a “potluck” and will be held in the morning.
H and I will be traveling from six hours away, and staying in a hotel. The party is not in our D and SIL’s town, but over a half hour away from them, in the town where the hostess lives.
Any suggestions for what we could contribute to the potluck? Since we will be unable to cook, should I plan to pick something up at a local bakery – although timing that day will be tight and we do not know the area. Perhaps the most sensible thing would be to send a floral arrangement to the home a day in advance? However, the other grandmother, who will be flying in, often sends flowers so I would like other alternatives.
Any nice breakfast-type offerings that would keep well without refrigeration for a couple of days before the party? These people are “healthy eaters” so whole grains, good fruits, etc. would be ideal if I could get a gift package in advance. We do have access to a Harry & David’s store not too far from us, but they are apparently not whole grain focused.
THANKS for suggestions to this certainly *minor/i concern!
– JEM, former wedding thread participant, now on grandparent thread
^ Thanks, leery of deliveries as the party is on a Sunday morning and in a frequent-snow/ice area. Would feel more secure bringing our contribution with us as we are determined to get there.
(Would run our plan past hostess in advance, just want to have a few ideas lined up).
Is there an Edible Arrangements that delivers there? It would have to be delivered the day of the party but they do really nice arrangements of cut fruit.
Another idea might be to offer to supply champagne/wine for the event if they drink alcohol (either you can get it at home and bring it or arrange with a local liquor store to deliver what they think they need).
Flowers always work too.
And congrats on the grandchild – how wonderful! It is lovely that they offered to do this.
Could you run into a grocery store? Hummus and Pita or Hummus and crudite. Check out the grocery stores in the area and see if they have a deli.
Bagels and cream cheese?
Fruit and cheese?
Often you can order online and just pick it up the day of the shower.
Where are you going? Grocery stores in almost any area could have something available to pick up on a Sunday morning. It might be prepared the day before but held in the refrigerator. A cake? Deli tray? Bagels?
I have a friend who is a caterer who could prepare a dish (baked eggs, lasagna) which could be picked up that day. I’m sure there are people like her in many major cities or resort areas.
Gosh, all the healthy stuff that I can think of needs refrigeration.
Some good quality, artisanal granola maybe?
Things like coffee cake and muffins would keep but I wouldn’t put that in the healthy camp.
Can you mention the general geographic area? Perhaps a poster knows a good purveyor for something fresh you could pick up that morning.
Stopping on your way to pick something up seems like a good option. A nice grocery store, a Whole Foods, or a good deli would be a good source. You could always buy some yogurt and berries and bring some good granola and attractive serving pieces with you if you are traveling by car. A smoked fish platter and some bagels are always popular as is a bowl or platter of fresh fruit.
THANKS so much for the responses! Location is in a northwestern suburb of Boston, but not an area I know. (D lives in Boston, but a friend of hers is hosting this event in her new home well outside of the city.)
Yes, H and I will be driving from 6+ hours away.
I love the fruit salad idea and that is what I would do if a local event, but prefer to put my own fruit bowl together – don’t trust all supermarket prepared food, don’t know how long something may have been sitting, especially on a Sunday morning – perhaps left over from Saturday?
But now I am thinking I could bring:
a serving bowl, server, saran wrap for covering, colanders, fruit (various berries and mandarin oranges, etc.) and prepare the fruit in the hotel room that morning and just take it all assembled from the hotel to the party.
H can pick me up at front door of the hotel in case of ice on parking lot grounds.
I would buy several kinds of nuts and dried fruit and bring them with me, along with some sort of tray and plastic wrap. Then I would make up a party tray in the hotel room in the morning.
There are likely lots of grocery stores northwest of Boston! It’s a huge area population density wise.
But if you would prefer to bring the food…bring your fruit in a cooler cut up…with each type in a separate container. Then put in your serving bowl before you drive to the event.
But I’d ask about this…make sure there aren’t three others bringing a fruit bowl!
You could make a nice bread pudding in a nice baking dish the day before, refrigerate it, and stow it in a cooler on travel day. It could be quickly warmed in the oven at the party, if you wished, or just serve it at room temperature.
Or just bring bottles of Prosecco or champagne or other sparkling wine, chilled in a cooler with ice packs. If you plan to bring wine, I’d tell the hosts ahead of time, maybe ask how many are coming.
Or different juices such as orange, apricot, pear and champagne to make a mimosa station.
I have done this for brunch and it was a hit. But this is really a “check with the hostess” plan.
