TIPS FOR HOSTING A POTLUCK
Learn How to Host the Perfect Potluck Party with These Helpful Tips!
 | Hosting a potluck is a great way to bring friends, family and coworkers together for a casual social event. Since everyone’s responsible for bringing a dish, the pressure’s off on creating and cooking a tasty menu. Still, you’ll need to do a little party planning to make sure your event runs smoothly.
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TIPS FOR HOSTING A POTLUCK |
Here are some important tips when hosting a potluck:
HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #1: Choose a theme.
Instead of having a mish mash of food and an array of flavors, choose a theme for your event and ask guests to bring something that fits your theme. Whether it’s a Mexican fiesta or Middle Eastern night, guests can enjoy a variety of great dishes that’s centered around a specific theme.
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #2: Assign menu items.
To prevent all of your guests from bringing a tray full of appetizers, you’ll need to arrange who is bringing what to the event. You can create a list of suggested dishes if you want to, or just have guests reply with the item they are going to bring. Create a spreadsheet or make a list of who is bringing what, and reassign as necessary.
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #3: Decorate your table.
| You won’t be able to make menu cards for each item ahead of time, but now that you’ve got a theme in mind, you can decorate your table with the appropriate decorative pieces. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to do this; just spruce up the table with theme-colored candles, ribbon, and decorative platters. |  |
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #4: Stock up on paper plates and serving platters.
Your guests will need to serve themselves buffet-style for the event, so you’ll need enough serving dishes and supplies on hand. Make sure to get a head count by asking guests to RSVP and buy the necessary plastic ware, plates and bowls.
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #5: Create a beverage station.
| Beverages are easily overlooked when it comes to hosting a potluck party, but you’ll need an area for people to get their fill of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Consider asking some of your guests who don’t like to cook to bring the drinks. Just keep track of these along with the menu items assigned in Potluck Tip #2. |  |
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #6: Plan to hand out take-home containers.
Part of the fun of attending a potluck party is getting to try a variety of dishes. If some guests are enjoying a particular dish and want to take some home, you’ll need to have some take-home containers on hand. Don’t leave these out during the event; wait until people start to leave before bringing out the stock of containers or most people will start filling them during their rounds of the buffet!
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HOSTING A POTLUCK TIP #7: Stock up on food storage supplies.
| Some guests might want to take any leftovers of their dishes home with them. You’ll need aluminum foil, plastic shopping bags and saran wrap to help them wrap things up to go. Make sure these are easily available as the party starts to leave. |  |
Hosting a potluck can be a fun way to entertain a large group of guests, but it still requires a little planning. Just follow these essential tips so you can look forward to a fun, stress-free event!
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Sabah Karimi writes about entertaining, lifestyle and cooking for DivaVillage
