Use clever thematic concepts to bring your Potluck Party to life. Plus, you'll find effective efficiency tips that will simplify your event and make it run smoothly.
The first article in this series introduced the concept of a potluck dinner as an economic but engaging alternative for entertaining a group. This article will continue the discussion of potluck events with further clarification of the party set up and some additional thematic concepts to implement.
Party Setup (continued)
- Assemble multiple decorative elements that will be used to unify the buffet layout. Suggested elements could be fresh lemons and limes for a summer theme, mini pumpkins and gourds for an autumn display, or festive glass balls for a Christmas theme.
- Once the platters of food are set on the buffet, tuck in the decorative elements, along with several glass votives with tea lights, in and amongst the various levels. This one intentional act will unify the miscellaneous serving platters and bowls on the display.
- If you are particularly finicky when it comes to the visual aspects of the buffet, consider transferring all the arriving food into similar service pieces, wrapping the miscellaneous platters and bowls with identical linens, or dropping each arriving service piece into a wicker holder.
Party Clean Up
- One aspect of this party that is different from most is that the guests will be taking their dishes home with them at the end of the event. In order to expedite this action, have rolls of aluminum foil and plastic wrap available to cover the serving platters. You may also wish to have a stack of plastic shopping bags available so that your guests won’t soil their car upholstery with dirty dishes, casseroles, bowls or serving spoons.
- A nice alternative to the bullet above, is to provide “take out containers” for your guests. They can fill a to-go container with a selection of the dishes, and have dinner ready to go for tomorrow. This act will also help minimize the half-filled casseroles that will ultimately be tossed at the various homes. To make this option easier, save or purchase disposable plastic, foam, or aluminum trays with lids. Many local Chinese food restaurants use good quality reusable plastic containers that you could collect over time, and redistribute to your guests.
Potluck Dinner Themes
Feel free to personalize your event by asking your guests to bring thematic food. Suggested themes are listed below:
- Journey on the Orient Express
- Cowboy Supper
- Ye Olde English Feast
- It’s a Fiesta!
- Southern BBQ
- It’s Aloha Friday!
- Jamaican Jive, Mon
- Picnic on the Seine
- It’s a Small World (multicultural food)
- The Melting Pot (all fondue)
This article will continue with more thematic menus.
The copyright of the article How to Hold a Potluck Party in Entertaining is owned by Janice Benoit. Permission to republish How to Hold a Potluck Party in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
