Gather your family and friends this new year for the perfect potluck dinner. While a potluck can take many forms, and be hosted in many places, there are a few elements you must plan to create a successful and relaxing party environment. For instance, in order to host a potluck, you will want to make sure you have seating to accommodate each guest around either a kitchen or dining room table. This will make it easier for conversation among the guests as you share each other's dishes and their own personal touches. You can also plan entertainment for your guests. For example, after your mini feast, bring on some friendly competition with your guests with a card or board game. With unique dishes, accommodating seating and decor to pair, your potluck party is sure to impress your guests.

What is a potluck?

A potluck is often a party in which each of the guests contributes a dish to share. This allows each guest to make a dish they really enjoy and the opportunity to share that with others. They may choose to bring a traditional family dish that they have grown up enjoying, or they may bring a fun new recipe they decided to try out for the occasion. Often at a potluck, guests will each be assigned a different food category and asked to bring a dish that fits within that list.

What are some potluck dinner ideas?

Some simple potluck dish ideas are deviled eggs, hot spinach and artichoke dip, meatballs, little smokies wrapped in bacon and jumbo shrimp in cocktail sauce. For a more formal potluck party, you may see dishes such as mini quiche, bruschetta, and even a casserole to feed the masses. The great thing about a potluck party is that they can be planned out to where there are a variety of dishes to be shared and no duplicated dishes if each person is assigned a food category.

Dining Tables and Chairs, Chairs, Chairs.

In order to comfortably entertain your guests, you will want to make sure you have seating that allows each guest an easy-to-access spot. Large dining tables alone or expandable dining tables are the best way to incorporate extra seating into your space. Expandable tables with leaves allow the spacious feel in your home by not taking up too much room in your dining room for day to day dining. However, they can easily expand to create that extra space while you entertain.

Centerpiece Ideas

At a potluck, the main focus is the gathering of friends around the table sharing their favorite dishes. With this being said, you will want to make sure to have the centerpiece of the table catch the eye of your guests. A table runner with a decorative tray alone adds an attractive touch to your table. Go the extra step and add a decorative vase with a floral arrangement paired with a set of pillared candles. For a unique candle display, try creating your own candle centerpiece. Group a variety of candles in a unique formation, including different colors and sizes, to match your home aesthetic. Just stick with a common theme, like different candles in neutral colors, to make a cohesive style statement. And be careful of pairing too many scents! Stick with just a couple scents that will go nicely together to avoid sensory overload.

Tips of the Trade

One important tip when throwing a potluck is assigning guests to certain food categories. You may assign one guest to bring an entrée, such as a pasta salad or a casserole; another an appetizer such as pickled roll-ups or little smokies wrapped in bacon; and someone, of course, must be assigned dessert. As the host, you may choose to make an entrée or even make food from multiple categories to ensure there is a generous amount of food for your guests. Now, if there is food there must also be drinks. You can provide a plethora of drinks, both alcoholic and non for your guests, and let them get drinks as they please. Although sometimes, a lot of people ask their guests to bring the drink of their choice to make it easier on the host.

Looking for some potluck dinner ideas? Follow these tips from invites to prep for a dinner party that’s sure to be loved by your guests—and low stress for you!