Anonymous wrote:I always feel like these types of threads attract more potluck haters. I enjoy hosting parties, I frequently host 'crappy dinner parties,' although before I read this thread I would have referred to those just as, hanging out with good friends, and I love attending potlucks. I don't really host potlucks in my home- but I am a regular attendee at pool, swim team, and church potlucks. I enjoy the mix of foods. I don't care one bit if some people bring a 10 pack of tacos from taco bell, b/c I know the kids will gobble them down. I usually go to some level of effort for potlucks because I enjoy it- but if I am pressed for time I am not above getting a bucket of fried chicken from KFC- and it is always one of the first things to go. Our pool has regular potlucks- given that they tend to be well attended I would say they are popular. I much prefer a potluck to 'chip in for pizza.'

Anonymous wrote:If we didn’t have potlucks we’d all be home ordering in or having sandwiches. Missing our friends. Shabby hospitality with everyone pitching in is perfection to me.

Anonymous wrote:my husband used to host monthly potlucks, for years. whoever could come, came, we tried new food, people were proud to share their offerings, it was casual and very fun.

we would never have have been able to host dinners once a month for 20ish people! potlucks are SO much less work, and they give a group a people a chance to be together much more frequently. EVeryone who attended has lots of warm feelings towards each other still. I keep wishing we would start doing it again, but since having kids it feels like a lot.

Anonymous wrote:I'm close to 50 now and some of the fondest memories from my childhood are of potlucks. A big bunch of us kids all running around and playing. Our parents chatting in a cluster over there. Then we'd all line up for the food and I'd keep asking - what's that? What's that? It was very good exposure to new foods for me.

This was with a bunch of my parents' friends, all with close-in-age children. They all were FRIENDS, so no one would screw the others by bringing a bag of rolls from the store. Everyone brought good dishes, and some people were begged to bring "their" dish to every potluck.

Then we all grew up and in the years immediately following college - think group homes - and when friends started out in their own homes and with their own newly growing families, potlucks were still common. Sometimes the hosts would say - no, not this time. Other times they'd say "yes, bring your XX! And make sure to save for me - it's always gone in the first few minutes."

I just have such fond memories of those casual, fun events where I got to see what others were good at making. There were events where the hosts provided everything, yes, but I really remember the potlucks better because of the vibe. They were just so much fun.

Anonymous wrote:There is definitely a time and place for potlucks. If we're hosting a dinner or a specific event, we're not going to do a potluck. If guests bring a bottle of wine or a store-bought dessert, that's great but not expected. We'll do everything else.

If we're providing the "location," like a casual neighborhood gathering or casual Fourth of July picnic, we'll do a potluck. I don't want lack of time to prevent people from getting together so potlucks are perfect for casual, fun, just hanging out.