Having a theme also helps you come up with decorating ideas like patriotic stars and stripes banners and red, white and blue throw pillows for the Fourth of July. It also helps you decide what type of main dish to prepare, like hot dogs or sloppy joes for a casual theme or turkey for Friendsgiving. When you’re planning to host a potluck dinner, choosing a theme, like around a sporting event or a specific holiday, helps your guests decide what type of dishes to bring. Check out the rest of these tips from us Pottery Barn on how to host a wonderfully easy and delicious potluck. There are no set rules when it comes to these casual parties, though! If you want guests to bring meat dishes, plates or multiple dishes of food, feel free to communicate those details.
The host also provides beverages, dinnerware and utensils. Traditionally, the person hosting the gathering prepares a main dish, like a large casserole.
At a potluck, everyone brings a dish of food to add to the buffet table, distributing some of the prep work between each guest. Potluck dinners are fun to host and are so much easier than cooking a full meal for a group.
