Potluck Planning: Holiday Party Ideas

As the holidays draw near, our focus typically shifts to family gatherings. One of the best ways to show family and friends that you appreciate them is by bringing everyone together for a meal that's been lovingly prepared.

No one's saying, though, that you have to do all the work. In fact¸ in these tough economic times, it's perfectly acceptable, and understandable, to ask others to pitch in. Hosting a potluck supper is the perfect way to share a great meal -- and to share the work.

All you need is someone who's willing to coordinate all the details. Here are a few ways to get started:

Choose a theme It's often easier to come up with a menu for a group meal when you decide on a certain theme. Maybe it's based on what's in season or centers on a particular holiday. Or perhaps everyone might decide to create a healthy version of their favorite home-style dish. Whatever the group decides, make sure that it's fun for everyone.

Divvy up the dishes Once you come up with a menu, it's time to divide the work equally. Everyone should be responsible for bringing at least one dish. Also, make sure you have all the food groups (protein, vegetables, carbs) and beverages covered.

Decide on the number of servings Let each cook know how much he or she should prepare ahead of time so that there's plenty of food for the attendees and no one misses out.

Consider the costs It's not fair to ask someone to make a portion of the meal (say a 20-pound turkey) that will cost considerably more than, say, making the cranberry sauce. You might suggest a meet-up, where everyone goes to the same warehouse-style supermarket and buys the ingredients in bulk to increase the savings. Or if one of the group members is a coupon-snipping queen, she might share some of her clippings with the rest of the group so that everyone enjoys a savings benefit.

Consider a progressive party If no one in the group has the space to accommodate a sit-down meal for a large group, consider hosting a progressive potluck where you enjoy a first-course of finger foods at one home, move to another space for the main course (which might be a hearty soup or stew served in a bowl that you can eat while standing) and then end the evening with dessert at another person's home.

Give thanks Don't forget to take a moment to acknowledge those who contributed to the meal, and to thank them for their efforts. The satisfied smiles spreading around the room will be the perfect finishing touch to your get-together.