[salpal]

We hope to move to our Villa sometime next year...waiting for employer to lay off! Who would have dreamed we wanted to get laid off? Anyway, am already sorting and getting rid of things. So now I am looking at my dining room buffet. Here's my question. I know there are lots of neighborhood parties, etc...so do I bring serving dishes/party platters for pot lucks? Of course will bring a few, but the question is how many. Our neighborhood potlucks here in the Northeast we usually have each family bringing a dish to the host's home and take it back home the next day or whenever. I am not planning formal dinners, those days are gone and so is the good china. What did you bring? Did you regret bringing anything and eventually get rid of it when you got to TV? Save me some packing boxes!

[swrinfla]

Seems to me that at most of the potluck parties, folks bring a bare-bones baking pan, or maybe an ordinary slow-cooker, or a plain casserole dish. Certainly no call for "fancy" stuff!

Think of the things you'd be most likely to bring to a "Y'all bring somethin' to share, hear!" party, bring one appropriate dish for that!

And, be prepared to take home some. These get-togethers so often bring so much food that folks take home half what they brought!

On the other hand, I belong to one social group where the consensus now is, "Let's cater it!" We may pay as much as $15 per person, but there's virtually no work and we've never been disappointed, at least not yet!

If there's a party like this, though, folks must remember that the supplier cannot serve if the event is in a Villages Rec Center - only party members can do that. But, the caterer can bring the food into the building.

SWR

[salpal]

That's exactly the kind of info I was seeking. Did not plan to bring fancy stuff but will be sure to bring casserole/baking dishes for sure! We'll all done with fancy, that is what expensive restaurants are for!

[golfnut]

swr hit the nail on the head, always informal always too much food...GN

[graciegirl]

The serving dishes are plain, but oh the food..... THE very best I have ever tasted.!!!!! One thing about the years, it makes most of us better cooks.