How to Host Great Potluck Dinners
Nobody can resist a potluck dinner. There's something that appeals to everyone, from mouth-watering desserts to aromatic appetizers. Even picky eaters enjoy potluck dinners, as they have the option to eat their own dish if they don't like what the other guests bring. Potluck parties are a fun and tasty way to celebrate graduations, birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. Don't spend weeks planning an elaborate dinner party for your next social gathering -- host a great potluck dinner instead.
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Instructions
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Decide upon a theme for your potluck dinner. A theme makes your event stand out from all of the other potluck parties your guests attend throughout the year. Ask guests to dress appropriately and bring a dish that matches the theme. Potential themes include Hawaiian, Mexican or Italian, as well as seasonal themes such as summer or winter. Another theme idea is a charity potluck, where each guest donates a few dollars at the door for a specific cause.
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Mail invitations to your guests at least three weeks prior to the event. This gives them plenty of time to decide what to make, as well as to request off of work or make plans around other social functions. Each invitation should include the time, date and address of your potluck dinner, as well as any other pertinent information. Most potluck dinners are casual, so online event invitations are also acceptable.
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Assign a specific type of dish to each guest, such as a dessert or side dish, but remember that guests may disregard your request and bring whatever they want. Communicate with each guest to find out what dish or beverage they plan to bring. Figure out what dishes you do not have, and prepare them yourself -- or purchase them from the deli at your local supermarket -- the night of the event.
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Plan games and activities to keep your guests busy. Do not pressure guests to participate, especially those who are introverted or shy. Ask guests to guess the ingredients in a dish you prepared, or have them vote for their favorite dish at the party. Award the winner with a gift card or cooking-related prize, such as pot holders or spatulas.
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Prepare the main dish and provide plates and utensils. As a host, your duties include setup, cleanup, preparing the main dish and ensuring that your guests all have a wonderful time. Make a main dish that complements the dishes and beverages you assign your guests.
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Send each guest a thank you card or email. Write down what each guest brings as they arrive so that you have the information for your thank you cards. Include snapshots from the potluck dinner.
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Tips & Warnings
Offer at least one vegan side dish, as this pleases vegetarians, folks on low calorie diets and lactose-intolerant individuals.
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