What to bring to a morning potluck party being held out of area?

Cookies. Some real sugar to mix with all that “healthy” stuff. More chocolate the better.
The “healthy stuff” is probably already covered.

Well…how about just chocolates?

Truffles are nice!

The mimosa station is a great idea. Buy the juices and champagne at your local store any time before you leave, put them in box in the trunk oof your car and forget about them until you get to house the morning of the brunch.

I’m thinking if everyone is bringing healthy a bit of less healthy might be wanted. Mini pastries, coffee cakes, donut holes, etc. Or could also bring sparkling cider or interesting teas.

Advocado toasti is big right now. Could bring avocados or make guacamole at your hotel in the morning. Waffles and fried chicken is also big for breakfast. You could bring fried chicken.

I bet all of this will be consumed, especially if men are invited.

I would definitely check with the hosts before bringing any drinks because drinks are often something the hosts will have covered and planned out, even for potlucks.

I would never expect someone coming from out of town to bring food to a party, unless you made some special dish that your daughter loves and she requested it. I would just bring a couple of coffee cakes (who doesn’t love those strawberry cheesecake danish thingys?). Just because your daughter is a health nut it doesn’t mean the guests are all granola lovers :> . She is just going to be happy to see you guys :x .

I would definitely check with the hosts to (1) see if there’s something they’d like you to bring. Maybe they’ll be happy to have you bring drinks, for example and (2) confirm that whatever you’re thinking of bringing isn’t duplicative (you assemble a fruit salad in your hotel room and then find out, as someone else suggested, two others bring the same). You mention healthy eaters…I would find a low sugar banana or zucchini bread (or similar) recipe and bring a relatively healthy baked good item. They can be made in advance and travel easily.

Maybe check with the host and offer to bring a couple of those take-away Starbucks gallons. That is easy, comes with cream and sugar, and means they won’t have to worry about brewing the coffee. Seems like a helpful contribution, so long as it’s arranged in advance. Or offer to bring the ice. I know I always appreciate the guest who is willing to do that sort of thing for me!

Ok as you know a number of us on now on this trip with you.
Here is my final offer. Costco smoked salmon/fish, a circle of brie or camembert , a bag of crostinis
served on a nice cutting board with appropriate utensils. And a small bowl of fig jam.
Why? as someone pointed out there if there are men there you need heartier food.
Plus this so easy.

I want to tell you to bring chocolate dipped strawberries. I realize this is not the most convenient in a hotel room. :slight_smile: But it’s sort of that balance of healthy and not and people get excited to see/have them! You could technically wash and dry fruit in your room and if you have a microwave use the cardboard containers of chocolate disks you find in the produce section for dipping fruit. Bring a little parchment paper and a pretty plate…

I know too complicated but it sounds really good!! :slight_smile:

Okay, here’s what I would actually do. It includes cream cheese, which makes it breakfast-y, and it includes dates and nuts, which makes it healthy-ish. :slight_smile:

A friend and I have been reminiscing lately about how much we loved the little date nut bread with cream cheese sandwiches our grandmothers used to serve when we were young kids. One of those date nut breads came in a can, like B&M brown bread, the other one was maybe Ann Page (the A&P house brand). Neither of us had had this for decades, or even seen date nut bread in a store.

My cookbooks only yielded a recipe that described it as “light.” What we remembered was dark, dense, and moist. I looked online, and found that the King Arthur recipe sounded right. I made two loaves, and we served them in cream cheese sandwich form last Sunday at coffee hour. All of them were quickly scarfed down by adults and kids alike. We agreed that this was just like the favorite we remembered from childhood.

This particular recipe is very easy to make. It keeps well, travels easily, and isn’t something so common that it would be found everywhere. Make it a day or two in advance, wrap well, and toss the loaf–or loaves–in a bag with a couple packages of cream cheese, which will be nicely spreadable by the time you get there.

https://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/old-fashioned-date-nut-bread-recipe

Since everyone has an opinion I’ll offer mine. High quality yogurt, nice granola, goji berries, chopped walnuts. You could also add a nice honey. If I was coming from home I’d bring along berries. Blueberries are sturdy and don’t require any cutting. Guests could make a yogurt bowl.

JEM, you are the baby’s grandparent, coming from out of town?

If I were hosting, I’d expect you to be an honored guest, and not contribute.

That being said, call the hostess and offer something celebratory to contribute - mimosa bar, floral centerpiece, balloon bouquet.

I would make (dried) Apricot Scones and bring them with me. That is probably my best go to travel breakfast thing. My neighbor worked at a fancy bakery and would give them to us for the holidays, Got her recipe. I can post if you want it.

^^^I love making scones - I’d like the recipe!!!

^^ I would like that recipe too. I would never expect an out of town guest to bring anything however I understand your desire to want to bring something. As someone else said, baked goods travel well. All these recommendations to make food in your hotel room- no thanks. Keep it simple!

Use yelp or trip advisor to find a health food grocery near your destination. Pick up baked goods or a salad there the morning of or the night before. Or ask the hostess if you can contribute paper goods (plates, napkins, cutlery, etc). Ship paper goods by Amazon so they arrive a day or two early.

THANKS so much for all the suggestions!

Yes, I am the baby’s grandmother but am happy to contribute something as the hostess is a busy career woman and I don’t want this event to be burdensome for her.
I just e-mailed her and made some suggestions for what I can bring based on suggestions here – will go with what she prefers.

Always know I can count on this group!

Thanks again, feeling grateful. :slight_smile:

Im sure your hostess is happy for your offer and will get back to you.