If its a casual BBQ, I would bring beer or a simple dessert like brownies or cookies. If its a dinner party, wine or flowers.

Flowers in vase
Wine or beer
Cocktail napkins
Olive oil or balsamic vinegar

A gift for home - serving tray, set of bowls, candles ....think Pier1 Imports.
If the family has kids, we'll take something for the kids.

I agree with the PP who say don't bring any food. I always have a menu planned and it just messes things up. If it is a casual BBQ with lots of people then a dessert like brownies or cookies would probably be ok. I don't expect anything when inviting people over but people usually show up with wine or beer or booze, which works just fine for us.

Cookies or something baked if it is a family event. homemade, usually.

For a bbq, I'll bring a couple of quarts of strawberries with whipped cream or something like that.

I'm not capable of showing up empty-handed.

Anonymous wrote:I don't think you necessarily need to bring anything.

WHAT?!?!?!!?!?!?

Anonymous wrote:I like to entertain and cook and really don't want people bringing food because I already have a menu planned out, though when they do, I will put it out, so I agree that if food has not been requested/suggested, better not to intrude with it.

+1

Wine or beer is great, honestly, if they are people who drink. Otherwise I like the idea of breakfast item for the next day or something non-menu related like olive oil.

Don't bring a dish to share. A bottle of wine is fine.

Just wine (good stuff). The flowers in a vase are a really nice idea; I'm just too lazy to pick them up. Wine is my thing so I try to make it up with good quality. Sometimes I'll also bring cheese if I know the hosts are into it. Not to serve with the meal; they can enjoy it later.

I like to entertain and cook and really don't want people bringing food because I already have a menu planned out, though when they do, I will put it out, so I agree that if food has not been requested/suggested, better not to intrude with it. Wine always works but I would also say try to bring something that is nicer than usual, move up to the $20 range if you can, or if you want to stay on the low end, something that is unusual.

I don't think you necessarily need to bring anything.

I would not bring food if it hasn't been requested. I think a bottle of wine or a six-pack is fine. Flowers are always nice, but not required.

Flowers in a vase already? Nice olive oil for another day for host? Visit a bakery and pick up some items for bfast the next am.

When attending a BBQ, casual dinner party or the like, but the host/hostess doesn't have any particular requests, what do you bring besides wine? I always want to bring an appetizer or dessert, but I never know what. What are your go -to's?