Potluck Christmas - how is it supposed to work?

[CJ2008]

I decided to host Christmas at my house this year. I want to do something different, where everyone makes something. I''ve never done this before and I''m not sure how it''s supposed to work.

What are the hosts supposed to contribute? The main dish? Is it wise to make 2 dishes of different types (i.e., 1 meat, 1 pasta)?
What do the guests contribute? Is it the side dish? And how can you keep the dishes a surprise and yet make sure not everyone brings the same thing, and there will be enough for everyone to get a taste of everything?
Do the hosts also handle appetizers and dessert?
Any particularly good/safe/not too complicated main dishes to make?
Is there a "right" way of announcing/asking for a potluck dinner?
Any other tips/things to avoid doing?

Thank you, I know I''m going to get some great ideas and tips from you guys.

 

[neatfreak]

You can really do it however you want. Often the hosts make a main dish or two and ask others to supply the rest. You can ask people to bring certain types of things so you don''t have 10 plates of brownies or you can really leave it up to luck, up to you!

 

[girlie-girl]

I attended a potluck Christmas dinner at a friend''s house one year. She didn''t specifically tell us what to bring, but instead said something like "Please bring your favorite holiday ________ to a potluck dinner party ..." and then said side dish, vegetable, dessert etc. in the blank. Some of us she knew had special dishes that she''d previously had and loved, so she assigned us a dish in that category hoping it''s what we''d bring. She also told everyone in the invitation that she would provide the main entrees, what they''d be and how many people were likely to be attending. We had a pretty good mix of things. A couple people brought the same side dish, but as it was their family''s version, each was a bit different. It was a lot of fun!

Good luck!

 

[smitcompton]

Hi,

For years my brothers wife had Christmas. My job was to bring the deserts. I was a busy person and didn''t like to cook or bake so I went and bought Bakers Square (I''m in the midwest) pies that everyone liked. My sister-in law told me which ones I should get.
I find that most people have favorite dishes that they make that others liked.(green bean caserole with something on top). Ask people if they have a particular dish they like to make.
I think you are responsible for the main dish, two sounds nice. The o''rderves you can farm out as well. I like parties or dinners like that. If you invite me you will always have desert. Have a wonderful time.

Thanks,
Annette

 

[strmrdr]

Date: 12/6/2008 3:35:03 PM
Author: girlie-girl
I attended a potluck Christmas dinner at a friend''s house one year. She didn''t specifically tell us what to bring, but instead said something like ''Please bring your favorite holiday ________ to a potluck dinner party ...'' and then said side dish, vegetable, dessert etc. in the blank. Some of us she knew had special dishes that she''d previously had and loved, so she assigned us a dish in that category hoping it''s what we''d bring. She also told everyone in the invitation that she would provide the main entrees, what they''d be and how many people were likely to be attending. We had a pretty good mix of things. A couple people brought the same side dish, but as it was their family''s version, each was a bit different. It was a lot of fun!


Good luck!

ditto, often the main dish is provided by the host or is arranged by the host with some of the guests.
For example the host will cook a turkey as it is impractical for someone to bring that but may ask someone to bring a ham as a second main dish.
The rest are given a choice as above and if a hole on the menu exists then the hosts will usually ask someone close to change what they provide.

 

[Sabine]

I don''t know how formal you are going, but for the parties my friends and I have, we use the website evite.com, and when you send out the e-invitations, you can create a list of stuff to bring. When your guests reply, they check what they are bringing, so that when future people reply they can see what has already been chosen and pick something different. You don''t have to be specific. This year my friend''s list was: potato side dish, hot veggies, cold veggies, bread, dessert, wine, and other alcohol. She hosts, and she usually has 2 main course type foods, although with a smaller crowd you could probably do one if you know their tastes.

 

[Elmorton]

My family and DH''s fam does potluck Xmas pretty regularly.

The way it always works is that the hosts provide the meat entree. Sometimes bread, too.

One person is designated for dessert - this is usually the person who loves baking OR the person who doesn''t cook at all, since desserts are easily procured

Everyone else brings sides - in a family, usually there aren''t repeats, because you wouldn''t make Aunt Hilda''s green bean casserole if Aunt Hilda is coming, right? But if you''re worried, you can always just ask at the time of the invite - "do you know what you might be able to bring?"

As the youngest/non-cooking folks, DH and I often opt for appetizers, because I rock the cheese tray. When you get to the point where you have an overwhelming spread, then you ask the remaining folks for apps or wine (though in both fams, the people who drink the most usually just bring the booze, though the hosts typically have some on hand as well).

 

[Haven]

I think a Christmas potluck dinner sounds great! If you plan well enough ahead of time you''ll have a blast hosting everyone.

allrecipes.com is my favorite site for recipes because they have a ton, and people post a lot of comments after they try them that can really help you tweak the recipe or avoid mistakes that others made. They have an entire Christmas section up right now, with a whole section for Christmas Dinner here.

Here''s a stab at your other questions:
- I think it''s a great idea to provide two main dishes. Also, once you know what your guests are bringing you can add side dishes to fill in any holes.
- When you invite your guests make sure you say it''s a potluck dinner, and then ask them what they''d like to bring. Some of your guests probably have signature dishes that they love to bring, and others will want suggestions from you, so make sure you know what you''ll say when they ask.
- Anyone can handle the apps and the dessert. See how much your guests plan on bringing, and then plan accordingly.
- For good/safe dishes, make something you''ve made before. OR, if you want to try a new recipe, try it out at least once before the Christmas dinner.
- You can invite your guests any way you''d like. You can send an email, call them, send out an invite, or real invitations. As long as you say it''s potluck they''ll understand that they''re expected to bring something.
- Tips:
- Ask the non-cooks to bring easy things like soda/beverages, a raw veggie tray, dessert, or something else that''s easy to buy. If you don''t want to worry about centerpieces, ask the non-cooks to bring flowers too, throw them in a vase when they get to your house, and there you go! Keep prices in mind, though--fruit trays are ridiculously expensive by me, but you can buy a reasonably priced pie.
- If your guests are bringing things that need to be heated up in the oven once they get to your house make sure you plan for it.
- My favorite planning tip for saving time (and sanity) the day of the party is that I take out all the serving dishes I''m going to use the night before, wash them, and then lay them out and put post-its inside each with the dish written on it. That way my hubby or anyone else who is helping me get the food out on the day of can easily take the items I hand them and put them in the right dish. It helps me make sure I have enough of the right dishes, too.
- If you have the space for it, set up a buffet table instead of passing food at the table. we clear off our living room furniture and use it as a buffet, you don''t need much space and it makes everything so much easier (especially for a potluck).
- I also set up any extra tables and chairs that will be needed a day or two before. And I lay out all the table linens to make sure they''ll work right (and then I fold them back up so my kitties don''t get them dirty.)
- If I''m hosting a lot of people, I write out my menu several weeks ahead and figure out what I can make early and freeze. Then I make as much as possible before the day of. It''s so helpful.
- I always set up a special area for the kids so they won''t destroy the rest of my place. In our new house I just throw a bunch of colored pencils, crayons, paper, and stickers on the floor and let them at it.

 

[somethingshiny]

Most of our family gatherings would be considered potluck. We usually have over 70 people and it''s just too much for one person to do all the cooking.

We know each others specialties, so usually those are the items that are brought. However, the hostess will invite and basically tell them what to bring (or give them a choice between 2 options). It is the hostess''s job to know how much food, what variety, etc. so she''s the one who informs the other guests what''s needed. I think it''s perfectly acceptable to say, "please bring sweet potatoes for 20 people." The "surprise" is that each guest only knows what they''re bringing. This also allows the hostess to have the buffet set so all she has to do is leave empty spots for the arriving dishes. We usually do a hot table and a cold table in addition to plates/utensils table and hors d''oeuvres which are scattered.

We take into consideration the amount of work and money involved in any dish. For example, at Christmas I usually do most of the baking. Since I work hours making cut-out cookies, I don''t bring other things. But, when I don''t do all the baking I''ll bring a couple dishes. In our family, the hostess is always responsible for the meat dish and any gravy, sauces, etc that are to be served with the meat dish.

Another good thing about potlucks is that you really limit your washing up time. If the dish isn''t empty, you just cover it and hand it back to the bringer. They take home their left-overs so they''re not cluttering up your fridge and you don''t have to wash everything.

 

[CJ2008]

Thank you guys for all the great responses - I learned a lot about how to go about this.

Haven, this is genius!: - My favorite planning tip for saving time (and sanity) the day of the party is that I take out all the serving dishes I''m going to use the night before, wash them, and then lay them out and put post-its inside each with the dish written on it. That way my hubby or anyone else who is helping me get the food out on the day of can easily take the items I hand them and put them in the right dish. It helps me make sure I have enough of the right dishes, too.

I''m going to take a combination of all your suggestions (perhaps for some people I can do as somethingshiny suggested, "please bring sweet potatoes for 20 people" and for others I can leave it more general (if I know they have a specialty they make and that I like

). Sending out the invites through evite sounds good, too - I had forgotten about that.

I was thinking of making lasagna plus one other dish - is lasagna generally easy to make?

 

[neatfreak]

Date: 12/7/2008 11:53:33 AM
Author: CJ2008
Thank you guys for all the great responses - I learned a lot about how to go about this.


Haven, this is genius!: - My favorite planning tip for saving time (and sanity) the day of the party is that I take out all the serving dishes I''m going to use the night before, wash them, and then lay them out and put post-its inside each with the dish written on it. That way my hubby or anyone else who is helping me get the food out on the day of can easily take the items I hand them and put them in the right dish. It helps me make sure I have enough of the right dishes, too.


I''m going to take a combination of all your suggestions (perhaps for some people I can do as somethingshiny suggested, ''please bring sweet potatoes for 20 people'' and for others I can leave it more general (if I know they have a specialty they make and that I like

). Sending out the invites through evite sounds good, too - I had forgotten about that.


I was thinking of making lasagna plus one other dish - is lasagna generally easy to make?

I think it''s super easy to make! And it is also really easy to make a vegetarian version in addition to a meat version if you know some people are vegetarian.

 

[CJ2008]

Do you have any tried and true recipes for me?

 

[Ellen]

What type of recipes would you like?

 

[KimberlyH]

Lasagna is super easy. I don''t use a recipe, I just sorta eyeball it, if it''s going to be your meatless dish here''s what I''d do:

Eggplant Lasanga

Red Sauce
sweat a large chopped onion in a tablespoon of olive oil
add 2-3 cloves chopped garlic, cook for 30 more seconds
Add 1 can 28 oz. can diced tomatoes and spices to taste (oregano, parsley, basil, etc.)
If you aren''t a fan of how acidic tomatoes are add a small diced carrot or two for sweetness. You could also add mushrooms.
Bring to boil, then simmer on stove while assembling/prepping other ingredients


Eggplant
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
Slice two large eggplants lengthwise 1/2"-3/4"
Brush both sides of slices with olive oil
Roast in oven approx. 25 minutes, turning 1/2 way through

Assemble and cook
Turn oven to 350 degrees
In 13x9 greased pan begin layering, cover bottom of pan with marinara, follow with noodles (you don''t have to cook lasagna noodles, I dip mine in the marinara pot, then add to my pan), a layer of eggplant, cheese (I use a mixture of ricotta, grated mozerella, and grated parmesan), sauce, then noodles again. Repeat (I usually make three layers). Top with noodles, sauce, and parm/mozerella). COver and bake for 55 minutes or so. I typically uncover and brown the top for the last 5 minutes.

Hope this helps.

 

[CJ2008]

Ellen, I was mainly looking for lasagna recipes...but I''m open to ideas of something else to make...I would still like a traditional lasagna recipe, if anybody has one they like.

oooh, thanks Kimberly! I was actually thinking of making traditional lasagna (with meat) but making it meatless is interesting...so I don''t even have to boil the lasagna sheets first? Is this a dish that can be made the day before or do you recommend doing the day of?

 

[HeartingDiamonds]

We have a HUGE family and Holiday get-togethers are always potluck affairs. This is what we do:

Have a designated "food committee" - ours is comprised of 3 people - my mom and 2 aunts. They decide the theme of the affair and come up with the menu accordingly. They then assign each person a dish to bring. This ranges from appetizers to dessert so that entire meal is covered.

Hosts do not contribute to the potluck meals - their share is opening up their home (and the requisite work that involves) plus all the drinks - from water to sodas to juice and a fully stocked bar for cocktails.

Hope that helps!

 

[somethingshiny]

These are my go-to lasagnas

--Quick and easy pizza lasagna. (my own recipe)

Brown 1 lb hamburger (or sausage) Add 1 chopped onion and 2 cloves minced garlic at the end of browning (like 2-3 minutes left).

Add 4 - 12 cans tomato sauce.

I don''t have a recipe for the seasonings or spices, but basically I use Oregano (probably 2 Tbsp), Basil (2 Tbsp), Rosemary(1 Tbsp) (crushed with a mortar and pestle) black pepper (a lot), ground red pepper (maybe 1-2 tsp), Kosher salt. (until it tastes right)

Ladle some sauce on the bottom of a 13x9
Put one layer of lasagna noodles (uncooked)
Put one layer of sauce
Put one layer of shredded cheese (I use a mix of mozz, Mexican blend)
Continue layering until pan is full

My dish will hold 3 layers of each of the above.

Add 1 cup of water (down the corners of the pan)
Cover with foil and cook at 400 degrees for 45 minutes (may vary depending on thickness) Uncover and cook for an additional 15 minutes until cheese bubbles. (you can also broil the last few minutes)

Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

You can substitute a can or fresh diced tomatoes in place of a can of sauce if you want the sauce chunkier.

--Another of my lasagna recipes: uses ricotta cheese and a thicker sauce because of the extra moisture from the ricotta


Brown 1 lb hamburger with garlic and onions (as above)

Use 1 can of tomato paste, 1 can of tomato sauce, 1 can diced tomatoes (or crushed) season as above (you still need the same amount of seasonings because you end up with the same amount of finished lasagna--otherwise it will be bland).

Mix a 15 oz container of Ricotta cheese with 1 beaten egg and 1/2 C parmesan cheese.


Put sauce at bottom of pan
Layer uncooked lasagna noodles
layer cheese mixture
layer sauce
layer mozz cheese (or whatever cheese you want)

Continue layering until pan is full

Add 1/2 C water as above and cook as above

**You can prepare both of these ahead of time and refrigerate. Then when you cook them, cook covered for 1 hr and uncovered for 15 minutes.


These only take maybe 15 minutes to put together since you don''t have to cook the noodles (btw-ANY brand will work)

 

[Ellen]

Date: 12/8/2008 11:19:32 AM
Author: CJ2008
Ellen, I was mainly looking for lasagna recipes...but I'm open to ideas of something else to make...I would still like a traditional lasagna recipe, if anybody has one they like.

Would you like another meat dish, or a side dish? (you said lasagna plus another) I see there are already enough lasagna recipes.

 

[Elmorton]

I hate to be a pain, but lasagna is a really hard entree dish to plan sides for...so I''m wondering if it''s really the right choice for a potluck entree. What else goes with lasagna other than salad and garlic bread?

If I were going do two Italian entree options though, I might do lasagna and a baked chicken pasta dish - there are a bunch of baked pasta recipes online.

When we do potluck style stuff, usually the entree is a meat of some sort, because almost anything can be served to accompany it. This could also be because I live in the midwest, and everything that is a "traditional" side is served alongside a meat. For example, the things that I usually think of for potlucks are things like green bean casserole (which I suppose could go ok with lasagna), scalloped corn, scalloped potatoes, baked macaroni and cheese, casseroles of any sort...this is partly because these are kindof holiday/winter staples, but also that casseroles are pretty easy to tote over somewhere and just need to be warmed up (or if you''re only going a few minutes, they just need a spoon stuck in). As a host, I really don''t want anyone needing to tool around in my kitchen to finish a dish, and as a guest, you want to bring something that''s ready to go so you don''t have to spend time in someone else''s kitchen.

How many people are coming? I think you can pull off lasagna if it''s a small gathering (10-12 people, meaning ohhh 3-4 families other than your own?) because then you really need to designate who is to bring a salad, or bread, wine/drinks, appetizer, dessert, etc...but if you''re feeding more than that and you''re going to have 4-5 people bringing side dishes (other than appetizer and dessert), lasagna might not be the best option because it''s really hard to be creative with that one.

If it is a bigger gathering, ham is a really easy holiday meal because they come pre-cooked...but a pork or beef roast is super, super easy, too. If you have help and it''s a big crowd, though they''re huge, supposedly turkeys really are kinda hard to mess up (I''ve been told...so far, I''ve only roasted chicken).

What''s the level of formality? If this is an informal gathering, you can do just about anything for a meat - even a pulled pork (here the crock pot is your best friend). Another idea is a meatloaf...my mom used to make them at holiday time and yuuuuum. This was one of the first meals I made for DH, and again, they''re pretty fool-proof. Rachel Ray had a turkey one on a few days ago that looked super good.

Also - if you''re not used to cooking for a crowd, catering in a meat (or even lasagna) can be much easier (and a lot less stressful). My parents usually do sliced beef brisket and sliced smoked turkey from a local bbq place. It goes well with everything.

Also - no one will ever know if you get a stoffer''s frozen lasagna. Even though I agree that lasagna is really easy (my play-it-by-ear recipe is that I boil the noodles until they''re al dente, I do a thin layer of marinera at the bottom, then noodle layer, then mozz cheese and marinara and meat then noodle layer, then ricotta layer (cottage cheese also works, but I think ricotta is a lot better), then noodle, marinara and meat, noodle, ricotta, mozzerella...until it fills the pan nearly to the top and then bake it in the oven until the cheese on top -thick layer of mozz on top- is starting to brown and the whole thing is heated through) - it really is best to do something that you''re used to doing if you''re cooking for a crowd.

If you do stick with the lasagna idea, like the idea of serving two lasagnas (a veggie option and a meat option - I love veggie lasagna with an alfredo) - but don''t be surprised if the "different" one goes really quickly.

 

[KimberlyH]

Date: 12/8/2008 11:19:32 AM
Author: CJ2008

oooh, thanks Kimberly! I was actually thinking of making traditional lasagna (with meat) but making it meatless is interesting...so I don''t even have to boil the lasagna sheets first? Is this a dish that can be made the day before or do you recommend doing the day of?

Nope, no need to boil the noodles first. I prefer not to, the finished meal always comes out less watery when I don''t cook them first. You could definitely make it a day in advance and refridgerate it. If you decide to make a meat lasagna just eliminate the eggplant steps, brown ground beef and Italian sausage (cut up

As for side dishes, you could have squash, corn, green beans, peas lots more than salad and garlic bread go with lasagna. I once told my Italian husband that nothing goes with Italian food but salad and he''s long since proved me wrong.

 

[CJ2008]

Guys

It looks like I might not be able to make the time to do a trial run on the lasagna - I''ve been a bit anxious over this, since I am not a cook by nature. A good friend suggested I buy Stouffer''s lasagna, that she serves it all the time when she has parties. She says it''s good and that people won''t be able to tell the difference - that''s hard for me to believe but before dismissing the idea I figured I''d ask. I''m tempted because of course it will be much easier (even though I''ll feel a little guilty).

What do you think?

 

[fieryred33143]

CJ

I would be very clear with everyone what "potluck" really means. My mom hosts a "potluck" every year mostly because she decorates the house beautifully for the holidays and people like going there. But the potlucks end up being my mom spending the entire day cooking every single dish and her guests only bringing alcohol (mom doesn''t drink so they usually take it back home with them) or one dessert. To me that''s not a potluck. That''s a dinner.

Usually when I''ve been a part of potlucks, we have a sign up sheet. This year our coworkers put one together and I signed up for rice/beans.

 

[CJ2008]

fiery, this is a very small get-together (10) and it''s all family, everyone already told me what they''re bringing (not specifically, but whether they''re bringing a spinach side dish or rice side dish, etc.).

I would let what happens to your mom happen ONE year - then I''d start serving just potato chips and cheetos, let them eat that with their alcohol

 

[somethingshiny]

I just had my first Stouffers lasagna the other day! It was alright. I think it was definitely as good as some restaurants, but not really comparable to home made.

However, the taste was fine, and Christmas is not a time to add stresses to your life and worry about burning dinner. If you would feel more at east going with a box, by all means, DO IT. You''re supposed to enjoy yourself, too, ya know!!

 

[CJ2008]

I had a feeling it couldn''t possibly be as good as homemade...but I was really, really hoping to lie to myself! LOL

However - you make a good point that if it will stress me out less, it might be worth doing anyway...so I''ll see...

 

[Elmorton]

CJ, the frozen stuff is perfectly fine! Relax, your potluck sounds like it''s going to be great

 

[CJ2008]

I love you guys hahahaah you''re making the whole idea of frozen sound better and better...it really shouldn''t be a time to stress...you''re so right...