7 Helpful Tips to Be the Ultimate Guest at Your First Adult Holiday Potluck

Now that we’ve successfully managed to adult our way through autumn (AKA we learned how to actually decorate for fall and elevate last year’s wardrobe with some cheeky autumnal DIYs), we’re ready to take on our next big seasonal event: the annual holiday potluck, Friendsgiving or other. While trying everything from Chrissy Teigen’s cookbook is always an option, we’re going to go ahead and say that we might need to start with something a *tad* easier. To help us avoid any potluck guest blunders, we’re sharing seven expert dos and don’ts for adulting newbies. Enjoy!
1. Bring everything (we mean EVERYTHING) you’ll need. Sure, bringing the actual dish is a must… but so is serving ware, a dish towel and extra napkins. “Bring everything you’ll need to serve your dish,” says Danielle Walsh from Bon Appetit. And yes, that includes an extra trivet.
2. Avoid needing to use the host’s oven. While your host knows that some dishes will need to be warmed up, the best way to prevent an oven bottleneck is to skip it altogether. Potluck enthusiast and culinary guru Jamie Oliver suggests bringing slow-cooked joints of meat as an easy option. “Cook a marinated shoulder of lamb on low heat for four to five minutes, wrap it tightly in a double layer of foil and make it airtight with cling film, allowing it to rest while you transport it,” he advises. Done and done.
3. Try something interactive. If you want to ensure your dish is a hit, try making it interactive. “People love wrapping, dipping and eating with their fingers,” says Jamie Oliver. Get creative with your presentation and watch your dish fly off of the buffet table.
4. Stay away from theTriple-S: Stinky, spicy and strange. According to Danielle Walsh from Bon Appetit, simple spices are definitely a winner when it comes to communal potlucks (AKA cool it with the garlic and curry — at least for this gathering).
5. Don’t forget about food safety. We’ve all licked and dipped a cooking spoon when making a dish for one, but it’s probably not the best idea when preparing a dish for your holiday potluck. “Headlines about people getting sick at church potlucks are enough to make anyone nervous,” says Kristin Donnelly at Serious Eats. Try to procure quality ingredients, ensure your counter space is clean and keep your pets (and children) far, far away.
6. No matter how good it looks, don’t take the last bite. Even if you’ve been waiting all year for your coworker’s famous mac ‘n’ cheese, nothing warrants taking a whole plate full. As manners expert Diane Gottsman says, “As good as the turkey may be, avoid that second trip through the line until everyone else has gone through once.”
7. Don’t lunge for a doggy bag. Although most of the time hosts will want you to take your extras home, don’t start packing up until you are asked. It’s common courtesy to let the host keep the leftovers if they’d like, advises Siobhan Adcock at Epicurious.
What’s your biggest potluck pet peeve? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo!
(Featured photo via Getty)
A Spring Fitness Challenge You Can Do Anywhere
Back in January, we introduced you to a feel-good cause to inspire your New Year's resolution: a walking challenge to help raise funds for the amazing cancer fighters at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I took part in the challenge with the Brit + Co team and ended up walking 105+ miles in January — it was awesome.
This spring, there's a new challenge on the horizon, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Big Climb. The ask: On May 15, 2021, you can step up to take cancer down by committing to climb 1,311 steps, walking 3.2 miles, or doing 440 chair step-ups at home as part of the Big Climb. If you need some motivation to bring movement back into your daily routine — look no further!
As always, it's free to sign up, but climbers are encouraged to set a fundraising goal to help beat cancer. We'll be organizing another Brit + Co team to step up, and I hope you'll join us too! Keep scrolling for a peek at where I'll be completing the challenge in my Los Angeles neighborhood around the hidden Silver Lake Stairs. Happy climbing!
Never underestimate the power of an accountability buddy! I asked my in-laws, my partner, and a few friends to join me so we can keep each other motivated and accountable in completing the challenge — virtual high-fives all around! Also, my dog Fox is a great climber, too.
An aesthetically pleasing backdrop is a huge motivator for me! I'm fortunate to have all sorts of painted steps around my neighborhood to keep the challenge interesting, but you can also keep cool inside with at-home chair step-ups.
Don't forget to share your progress on social — #BigClimb!
Feel free to break the challenge up if you need to by tackling half the distance in the AM and half at sunset. Here's me 1,311 steps later and ready for a break — but, think I earned this one!
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