If someone is invited for a dinner party and asks what they can bring,

[Anonymous]

Is it ok to say "nothing is necessary, but wine is always welcome"?

[Anonymous]

Anything is OK to say, but be honest in this case about what you are trying to say "Please bring wine."

[Anonymous]

OP here -

I honestly dont mind if they bring nothing, but people are usually eager to bring something and I'd rather not get food as we have too many dietary restrictions and dont want to serve it at the table.

Its a dinner party for 12 singles people in their late 20's, so lots of wine gets drunk throughout the meal.

[Anonymous]

i would make it clear that you don't want food b/c of the dietary restrictions - asking for wine seems like asking for $ b/c, in general, its more expensive (and sounds like a gift grab) than if the guest baked a bunch of cookies or picked up a cake on the way.

in fact, when i read your first post, i thought you were trying to get out of buying the alcohol and being cheap - but after you mentioned the dietary stuff, i totally understand...

so when they ask, say "well, due to everyone's dietary restrictions, i'm preparing all the food, but if you'd like to bring something, how about a bottle of wine to share?" (makes it clear why you are refusing food and makes it clear the wine is for the table and not for you)

[Anonymous]

Just say "nothing". People will still bring something, including wine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i would make it clear that you don't want food b/c of the dietary restrictions - asking for wine seems like asking for $ b/c, in general, its more expensive (and sounds like a gift grab) than if the guest baked a bunch of cookies or picked up a cake on the way.

in fact, when i read your first post, i thought you were trying to get out of buying the alcohol and being cheap - but after you mentioned the dietary stuff, i totally understand...

so when they ask, say "well, due to everyone's dietary restrictions, i'm preparing all the food, but if you'd like to bring something, how about a bottle of wine to share?" (makes it clear why you are refusing food and makes it clear the wine is for the table and not for you)

I agree with this. Or ask them to bring flowers.

[Anonymous]

Asked this last week (what can I bring/should I bring) and the answer was: "A bottle of wine or a box of chocolates are always welcomed." I brought a bottle of wine and a box of fruits.

[Anonymous]

I'd just come out and say 'bring wine'. If they offer, why not just say what you want?

[Anonymous]

What 13:27 said.

Sometimes I say, "no need to bring anything, please just bring yourselves!"

[Anonymous]

OK. Here's a follow up, if they bring a bottle, do you serve it or serve your own bottle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK. Here's a follow up, if they bring a bottle, do you serve it or serve your own bottle?

Is this the OP? If you have suggested they bring wine, you pretty much have to serve it. Otherwise, it looks like you were asking for a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OK. Here's a follow up, if they bring a bottle, do you serve it or serve your own bottle?

OP here -

We host these dinner parties regularly (trying to get singles to meet) and we generally go through multiple bottles of wine. There are 12-14 people, so I serve my own wine as well as whatever people bring. One meal, everyone brought wine and we had extra and another meal only 2 people brought and we ran out (although I had several bottles of our own).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OK. Here's a follow up, if they bring a bottle, do you serve it or serve your own bottle?

Is this the OP? If you have suggested they bring wine, you pretty much have to serve it. Otherwise, it looks like you were asking for a gift.

That wasnt the OP.

[Anonymous]

They sound like a bunch of lushes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They sound like a bunch of lushes.

Alcohol, it's the social lubricant.