A lot of people secretly hate potlucks. If you are inviting people, then feed them. If you can't afford to feed them, then don't host a party and invite them.

Anonymous wrote:I hate pot lucks with groups outside my close friends and family. I don’t know your hygiene standards when cooking (do you lick a spoon and put it back in? Do you allow cats on your counters?).

Have the party catered and tell them beforehand the cost per person.

Amen. One cat lady would bring stuff into work with cat hair in it!!!

Potluck is tacky. Just ask for $ per person and have it catered.

Anonymous wrote:I hate pot lucks with groups outside my close friends and family. I don’t know your hygiene standards when cooking (do you lick a spoon and put it back in? Do you allow cats on your counters?).

Have the party catered and tell them beforehand the cost per person.

+1

You should ask for money. People rather do that than cook/buy the food themselves.

Ew. No one likes pot lucks not in norovirus season.

I hate pot lucks with groups outside my close friends and family. I don’t know your hygiene standards when cooking (do you lick a spoon and put it back in? Do you allow cats on your counters?).

Have the party catered and tell them beforehand the cost per person.

Anonymous wrote:Was there a
sign up genius and was it clear what items were needed?

+1
You need some kind of sign-up system. Otherwise you’ll end up with either a random selection or not enough food.

Anonymous wrote:Was there a sign up genius and was it clear what items were needed?

I've been room mom/team mom many times and sign up genius is so great! You can list specific things, like "12 pack of bottled water" or "fresh fruit to feed 8" and then you could also list more general like "Dessert, your choice."

I think it also makes people accountable--everyone can see who has signed up to bring something and who plans to just "freeload" at the party.

I think there is a disconnect here. You need to do a sign up genius or make clear that there is no sign up and everyone should just bring a drink or snack. I feel like these people may have thought they didn't sign up or weren't assigned to bring something.

Per the PPs, were there specific instructions given? A place for people to say what they'd bring?

How specific were you? It helps if you write "Last names A-L bring a side dish, M-Z bring dessert, we will provide a main. Please post in the comments what you will bring so we don't have duplicates" or something like that.

Then don't ever host a potluck with these people again. Lesson learned.

Was there a sign up genius and was it clear what items were needed?

We are going to have a potluck party for kids celebrating the end of season, and I am surprised that half of the team parents do not bring anything. It is outside of school. There is a group chat, and I assume all have read the messages because they showed ĺup at the party location.

I don't think money is an issue. Eveey one dress nice and clean, and everyone pay to sign up this class for their kids.