Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:sorry but if you say NOTHING i'll bring NOTHING.

how can you say NOTHING and expect the guest to read your mind?

Fine, but I assume you will bring a hostess gift, right?

::clutches pearls::

I appreciate it when the guest suggests something eg "Can I bring a dessert/salad/alcohol etc"? I can say no, or choose, or suggest something else. Kind of takes the pressure off everyone.

double post

Usually just say that if they want something special to drink. So that I don't have to have 6 different beers and 4 varieties of wine on hand.

I used to say "nothing" or "just yourselves" but I've grown up and if they seem really to want to bring something, I give a somewhat specific order, e.g. a salad, dessert, veggie side or whatever. They can buy it or prepare it. I'm always happier if people give me a specific thing, it's easy enough to do or buy. So don't be shy. If I really have it all under control, I say "nothing, truly, the only thing missing is you" or "red wine" or whatever.

If it's informal and I know the guests well, I'll ask them to pick up dessert (or if I'm making something that would be good with ice cream, say just ice cream). Otherwise, booze.

Please tell me you bring a hostess gift. A bottle of wine is just not that hard to pick up.

Anonymous wrote:sorry but if you say NOTHING i'll bring NOTHING.

how can you say NOTHING and expect the guest to read your mind?

Fine, but I assume you will bring a hostess gift, right?