One of local parents is organizing barbecue for families and students who will be attending DD university in the fall. Should we bring something? The host didn’t mention anything.
How big will the event be? I’d call the organizer and ask what I could bring–salad, veggies, chips and dip, etc would likely be greatly appreciated.
Call/email and ask.
Yes call or email. Do not ask,“What can I bring?” Ask if they would like you to bring something specific such as as an appetizer, dessert, or flowers for decoration.
About 18 families are invited.
I doubt they want you to bring anything in terms of food. I’d bring a bottle of wine and leave it at that.
That’s a large crowd. If I were the hostess, I’d appreciate the offer to bring a dish to share.
Is this something that has school sponsorship? If so, it is quite possible that the development office (or some other group) will be paying for catering, in which case, flowers or wine would be a kind gesture to thank them for making their home available (even if they tell you that you don’t need to bring anything.)
If nothing else, bringing something shows you were willing to help. Baked beans, pasta salad, potato salad, a fruit or cheese or veg plate, chips, a 7-layer or other lettuce-based salad, bean dip, etc., are all good options.
I did some grilling for a small family get-together today – slow-grilled/smoked beer brats, burgers and hot dogs. Nothing fancy. I did the grilling and made a lettuce salad and a ranch & bacon pasta salad. My wife’s brother’s family brought chips and fruit. It was perfect.
For a different spin on pasta salad, try this:
- 16 oz box of rotini, cooked and drained
- Diced cauliflower, broccoli, celery, onion, tomato
- Bottle of French or creamy French dressing
- 1 block of cheddar, chopped
- A spoonful of mayo for balance
- S&P to taste
- For a touch of herby coolness, add a few squirts of ranch dressing.
The problem with bringing a dish is that unless you are making a large quantity AND there is space on the table
…
Email and agree with saying what you want to bring.
The biggest hit I have taken to such an event was grilled tofu. Every bite gone fast. Veggie dishes are often
appreciated.
I’d also call and ask. Additionally, whatever I brought would be in a dish that I didn’t expect to be returned, because that’s always a hassle for the host to wash and re-home plates and dishes after a party.
Grilled veggies are also very popular and can be added to a salad or eaten by themselves. I’d definitive text or call to be sure the hostess would welcome what you’re bringing.
If I were throwing a party like this – and I did host similar events for new patents at my daughter’s elementary school and the like – I would consider it a burden if someone showed up with food. This burden would be greatly compounded if I didn’t know the person. I would have planned the menu, planned the serving platters to coordinate with each other, etc…
And for that sized party, I definitely used caterers. Dealing with someone’s last minute addition would have been a pain, and might not fit with my overall plan either from a flavor or decor standpoint.
The possible exception would be a tray of cookies (homemade) or a box of chocolates or something. Even a cake is a hassle to deal with. Frankly, for me, even the cookies or chocolates would be something I’d rather not deal with, (but I’d have a neutral, not negative reaction).
For that reason, I think it is absolutely imperative to ask before bringing anything, and if the person says no, please respect that answer.
For these kinds of parties, if food contributions from guests are desired, the invitation will explicitly state that. (“Bring an appetizer or favorite dessert”).
I always bring a cooler with assorted drinks on ice. Easy and appreciated.
I’m with nottelling. If I were inviting over people that I knew for a casual BBQ, most of them would call and say “what can I bring” and I’d have no problem doling out assignments. Because it’s informal.
This isn’t a party of pre existing friends, though. If I were throwing such a party, I’d have it planned (or catered) to my specifications and I wouldn’t expect people to bring anything.
Agree that it’s best to check on who is sponsoring this event. Sometime the development office gets a local alum to host the event, or the local alum club, if there is one. I have both participated in hosting an event for incoming freshmen and their families as a member of our alumnae/alumni club (and we hosted the event- no need for the guests to bring anything) and when DS was in school I , as a parent of a current student, hosted a get together for some families of incoming freshmen. I just decided to do it as some of our friends and neighbor’s had kids going, and there were not a lot as it was a small school, so I offered to host a get together on my own. The local alumnae/alumni club of that school holds an event at the end of the summer for all current students, incoming students and local alums. At only that last event, the one hosted for current students, alums and incoming students , was it pot luck.
However! Nice hostess gift to be opened later is always appreciated!
I actually like to take an $$$ small bottle of balsamic. ( 0K --ONLY $19)
But never flowers–such a nuisance to take care of when one is the host.
Most of my friends would be happy to suggest something. I often bring vegetables to events like these, because want something healthy to eat and they so often seem to be nothing but bread and meat and pasta salad and sweets. We never go anywhere without bringing a couple of bottles of wine.
My alma mater hosts these, sponsored by the alumni association. Guests would be expected to show up empty handed but open to talking to a group of alumni. Agree, ask, but it would be unusual for it to be a potluck. BTW, these were always without alcohol so do not show up with wine unless approved prior.
I just recently had a catered barbecue for D2’s college graduation. If people have asked, I would had them bring their favorite wine, beer or other drinks. But instead people brought some random hostess gifts which we had to bring back to the house. I would email the host to see what you could bring, but I wouldn’t just bring some food without asking first.