At 21, my friends are starting to have small dinner parties or wine and cheese nights. We're growing up, so that means our party etiquette has to grow up too. No longer can we show up with a handle of Popov and get the party started. Now we've gotta bring a beverage or an appetizer and it's gotta be both pretty and tasty while also being college $5-bottle-of-wine-budget friendly.
DrinksIt's easy to just bring a bottle (or box, no judgement here) of wine or a six pack of beer. Get a white zinfandel (enough flavor to please a red lover and light enough to please those who like white) or a sixer of Heineken (nicer than a basic draft but not a craft) and you've contributed your part. But how do you spice something like that up? Grocery stores in my area have begun to stock loose individual bottles of craft beers and ciders and they allow you to build your own six pack. This is a great option for a party because it both brings variety and gives you an opportunity to show off your eclectic tastes. As for the wine, try using an app like Delectable or Hello Vino to both track wines you've tried and to recommend others that might be off the beaten path. Bringing in a wine that people end up liking but have never heard of makes you look like a sommelier extraordinaire. | SnacksUnlike drinks, bringing a food item often requires more than 15 minutes of prep. The good news is, there are ways to make something simple seem really fancy. Take for example my favorite bite sized appetizer: the mini quiche. Most quiche would contain eggs, a cheese or two, bacon, and veggies. Step up your quiche game with prociutto and gruyere, and baby spinach and cremini mushrooms. You will have used the same effort and cooking skills but elevated the quiche to a new level without breaking a sweat. My advice when bringing a food item: make something simple, comfortable, and familiar, and present or prepare it in a way that makes it unique. Whether it be making an apple pie with Angry Orchard (more on that later) or turning pizza into quesadillas. Another bit of advice, when bringing any kind of food to another person's home, make sure you bring a serving utensil or portion it out to save the host and other guests some work. |
Unconventional Offerings
Bringing food or drink is a natural go-to for most people; the act of sharing a meal together is an important part of bonding with other humans from an evolutionary standpoint. But there are ways to bring something without helping to overload the buffet table.
Bring a seasonably appropriate candle to fill the room with soft light and a comforting scent. Pumpkin and Apple Cinnamon are popular scents for the fall-winter season and Citrus or floral scents are good for spring-summer.
In hand with the seasonal candle is bringing a plant item for the house. During the Christmas season a wreath for the front door would be appropriate. During the warmer months a vase of flowers is a wonderful way to brighten a room and get conversation going. I don't advise bringing a live plant with dirt and all that, as its kind of a foisted burden on the host who may be a plant euthanizer.
Come bearing a gift especially for the host or hostess. It is likely that this person has put the most effort into the evening and therefore will be very appreciative of something brought just for them. I'm partial to body care products or specialty treats for hostess gifts.
Bring a party game that four or more people can participate in. My current favorite is Cards Against Humanity (warning: do not play this game around young children and also this is the best drunk game to play. Better than even Twister.)
Bring a seasonably appropriate candle to fill the room with soft light and a comforting scent. Pumpkin and Apple Cinnamon are popular scents for the fall-winter season and Citrus or floral scents are good for spring-summer.
In hand with the seasonal candle is bringing a plant item for the house. During the Christmas season a wreath for the front door would be appropriate. During the warmer months a vase of flowers is a wonderful way to brighten a room and get conversation going. I don't advise bringing a live plant with dirt and all that, as its kind of a foisted burden on the host who may be a plant euthanizer.
Come bearing a gift especially for the host or hostess. It is likely that this person has put the most effort into the evening and therefore will be very appreciative of something brought just for them. I'm partial to body care products or specialty treats for hostess gifts.
Bring a party game that four or more people can participate in. My current favorite is Cards Against Humanity (warning: do not play this game around young children and also this is the best drunk game to play. Better than even Twister.)
All in all, I believe in not showing up empty handed. Try your hand at bringing something other than food or drink to the next holiday event you go to.