As someone who hosts parties, overnight guests, BBQs, and potlucks, I am so tired of all the threads with guests complaining/whining about how things are "tacky" or gross.

If you don't like her party plan then don't go to the party! It's that simple. Just don't show up and find something else to complain about. Honestly, your energy is toxic. You don't need to post on an anonymous board about it - JUST DON'T GO. Hosting is stressful enough without b!tches like judging the invitation.

Anonymous wrote:I don't like potlucks. I won't eat anything from a home where they have animals living indoors (dogs/cats). I don't want their germs. So, if it is a potluck, the odds are high that several of the dishes are made by people who are petting the germy dog with one hand and making the dish with the other. Eww gross.

What if it's not a potluck, but the host has cats/dogs?

Anonymous wrote:My circle does a lot of potlucks. Mainly because we like getting together but feeding everyone is a lot of work. This shares the load a bit. But people offer to bring things and the host loosely tried to coordinate so we don't end up with 4 cheese platters.

Honestly we're all laid back so that helps.

My circle of friends does this too but they are more impromptu events, not something called a “holiday party” where people who are not typically invited to your home (so not close friends) are being asked to bring a main dish. There are like 60 people invited and the host is commenting on what people are offering to bring with comments like “oh I think we have enough fruit now—how about a quiche?” or “we’re good on sweets—how about an egg casserole?” because inevitably people offered to bring the easiest things first.

On the invitation it was billed as a holiday party, not a potluck but there was a line in the text that said to please put what you can bring next to your name. I figured they were looking for easy things like a bottle of wine or a dessert I could buy at the store but with 60 people there’s only so much of that they need, I guess.

It is what it is. But why would the host want a hodgepodge of incohesive food, plus have to scramble to find a place for everything when everyone arrives at the same time?
-OP

A neighbor sent around an email invite last year for a BBQ suggesting that ppl bring "a meat or something to throw on the grill" and whatever they wanted to drink. Then later they followed up asking if anyone had paper plates/cutlery. We were like, so you're supplying.... the fire?

We did not go, mainly due to a conflict, but did enjoy a good chuckle over it.

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Anonymous wrote:My sister just did this for Thanksgiving (turkey and all!) It was infuriating!

Really?!? That's pretty bad. How did it turn out?

At the end of the day, we spent the holiday with family which of course it what matters most. But it was not my favorite Thanksgiving ever.

How does one drive a piping hot turkey around in a car?

I once transported a piping hot turkey on the subway from Long Island City to the Upper West Side. Not so hot upon arrival but edible. (I was 23.)

This sounds like a scene straight out of Julie and Julia!

Anonymous wrote:I don't like potlucks. I won't eat anything from a home where they have animals living indoors (dogs/cats). I don't want their germs. So, if it is a potluck, the odds are high that several of the dishes are made by people who are petting the germy dog with one hand and making the dish with the other. Eww gross.

You’re an idiot. And if you have kids, they are less healthy. Google it.

I don't like potlucks. I won't eat anything from a home where they have animals living indoors (dogs/cats). I don't want their germs. So, if it is a potluck, the odds are high that several of the dishes are made by people who are petting the germy dog with one hand and making the dish with the other. Eww gross.

If it's a potluck, you should invite people to a potluck. Don't call it a holiday party.

My circle does a lot of potlucks. Mainly because we like getting together but feeding everyone is a lot of work. This shares the load a bit. But people offer to bring things and the host loosely tried to coordinate so we don't end up with 4 cheese platters.

Honestly we're all laid back so that helps.

Why don't you bring some bagels and cream cheese? I don't get your hosts either, but at least this way there will be something filling at the party!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My sister just did this for Thanksgiving (turkey and all!) It was infuriating!

Really?!? That's pretty bad. How did it turn out?

At the end of the day, we spent the holiday with family which of course it what matters most. But it was not my favorite Thanksgiving ever.

How does one drive a piping hot turkey around in a car?

I once transported a piping hot turkey on the subway from Long Island City to the Upper West Side. Not so hot upon arrival but edible. (I was 23.)

Anonymous wrote:I will sometimes bring an entree. If we are going to a pot-luck hosted by someone with different tastes than my family, I may bring an entree or something that is more filling to ensure my family has enough that they can eat. However, I would hate to be "assigned" an entree to bring. I personally think pot-lucks are fine, but the host should be supplying the entree. I hate these "BYOM" barbeques, where sides are provided, but everyone has to provide their own entrees. Inevitably, there are those who bring a package of hot dogs and then try to mooch off those who made nicer kabobs, or chicken or steaks.

I agree. If you are going to host a potluck, you should provide the main dish.