Do You Bring Food to a Dinner Party?

February 1, 2008

I recently read a story about how you shouldn't bring food if the hostess says not to, and was wondering how you felt about it. When you go to a dinner party, do you bring food even if the hostess says to just bring your appetite?

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46 Comments

3 years 34 weeks

Thank you for all of the ideas! As everyone doesn't drink wine/alcohol (as in the dinner I'm attending), I appreciate the idea of a gourmet coffee or chocolate ideas!! I'd also be afraid to bring flowers as is a large party I'm attending...they may end up with 10 bouquets of flowers. :0)

3 years 40 weeks

Normally, if told NOT to bring something I would bring wine anyway. Was taught NEVER come empty handed. HOWEVER, I have one particular friend who will tell YOU not to bring anything yet when I arrive at the party EVERYONE brought something but me. I felt like an fool. She now gets something no matter what she says and the wine too.

celebrity_soup 5 years 15 weeks

i always like to, but feel like it may be rude if they didn't ask.

amber_castaldo 5 years 15 weeks

if i've been asked to i do

girlfriday 5 years 15 weeks

Ok, seriously, who would bring food after being asked not to? I'm surprised there aer 26 people (at this count) out there who would still bring food even when asked not to. My aunt does this and it drives my mom crazy! My mom takes it like my aunt doesn't think her cooking is good enough and always ends up being offended. And it's not just like she brings a pie. It's always 2 different types of pie, cookies, meatballs, and some horrid dip made of sourcream and velveeta. And then, you know, my mom is making something gourmet that she has planned out and it's just not nice. I don't think my aunt means to offend, but... And I don't expect anyone to bring food when they come to my apartment! Always always you bring a gift for the hostess like wine or flowers or something for them to eat later.

sundrops 5 years 15 weeks

I always ask if they need food and if they don't, then I'll bring something else.

MsMO 5 years 15 weeks

A dinner party, no I don't bring a thing. A very casual get together I bring something. I have three children so I bring kid friendly drinks or extra snacks. Children consume more than people think :P

Hautie 5 years 15 weeks

Since I have a group of friends and we constantly are doing dinner parties... I always take home baked cookies for the hostess. For her to have later as a snack. They are never intended to be serve as part of her meal. But I do them as a thank you gift.

fuzzles 5 years 16 weeks

If the host or hostess insists on only my appetite, I will oblige their wishes. But I will usually bring a bottle of wine that they can enjoy at a later time, or make a note to extend an invite to dinner at my place in the near future.

SleepyCorinne 5 years 16 weeks

I usually bring a gift - flowers, a nice ambiance CD, or other host gift.

emalove 5 years 16 weeks

I always ask if I can bring something, whether it be an appetizer or dessert, most times I'm taken up on that offer.

JaimeLeah526 5 years 16 weeks

I'll bring them a special treat such as dessert or something like that. I also let them know that if they already had desert planned then they can just keep it for themselves.

sushiii 5 years 16 weeks

I always ask first, and if they say no, then I'll find someone else to bring. Either drinks, elegant chocolates, or something else.. My mother taught me to always bring something (big or small) to another person's house because if you don't, it makes you look impolite.

geohiker 5 years 16 weeks

how tacky! it's nice to bring some sort of hostess gift, of course, but if they ask you not to bring food and you do anyway...I would be peeved. :(

jennythereader 5 years 16 weeks

I'll bring chocolates or a beverage of some sort, but nothing else unless I'm asked to specifically.

ohmindy 5 years 16 weeks

I was taught that it was rude to bring food to a dinner party (unless asked to do so). It implies you don't have faith that the host and/or hostess can feed people. Wine (or whatever you like to drink) and flowers are traditional. They are gifts that add to the ambiance without taking anything away from what has been arranged for you.

kissmesteph 5 years 16 weeks

I offer, but if they say no, I'd take a nice hostess gift like some flowers, wine, etc.

CiaoBella 5 years 16 weeks

I always ask to be polite, if they say no, I'll bring wine, flowers or a box of chocolates.

piraterie 5 years 16 weeks

If someone says no, I think it's rude to bring something anyway (this has happened to me; I know they meant well, but really, I had it covered). Bringing a bottle of wine is always nice though.

AliCherri1 5 years 16 weeks

I definitely ask and if they don't want me to bring food, I bring wine or at least flowers.

cageyme 5 years 16 weeks

I always offer to bring something. If they say "no thanks," I'll bring flowers.

colormesticky 5 years 16 weeks

If they say no, I always offer to bring dessert.

columbusfoodie 5 years 16 weeks

I always offer to bring something - if the hostess insists that I don't, I won't bring food, but will bring a hostess gift like a bottle of wine or something else for her to enjoy later.

Marci 5 years 16 weeks

I always ask, but if I'm told not to, I don't. The hostess has her whole meal planned. Arriving with something throws everything off. I do always bring something, though; flowers or a bottle of wine or some fun kitchen item.

foxie 5 years 16 weeks

No, how rude. If you want to cook so badly, have your own dinner party.

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