How to politely ask people to bring drinks

DFWJane

We have an open house each December and put to come along for mulled wine and mince pies on the invite. The past couple of years we have also ended up buying beer, wine, cider for people who drink other things. So it ends up costing us much more and this year I'd like the invite to say for people to bring drinks if they'd like something else.

Suggested wordings gratefully recieved!

Possession

How about plenty of mulled wine and mince pies will be provided. If you'd prefer to drink something else, why not bring it along!

DFWJane

Possession wrote: »

How about plenty of mulled wine and mince pies will be provided. If you'd prefer to drink something else, why not bring it along!

Ooh, that sounds good! I like to keep it jolly!

It's not like the majority of these people ever invite us anywhere but my opinion is someone has to make the effort.

tanith

Bring a bottle usually suffices.. well it did in the day when I hosted parties .

babyshoes

I like the wording above - letting people know what WILL be available and suggesting they bring something else if they prefer is nice and polite. Might I suggest you also provide some non-alcoholic alternatives too, just in case people are driving and decide not to bring soft drinks. Something like mulled apple juice might be a nice alternative, or even just cheap lemonade/fruit juice etc.

DFWJane

babyshoes wrote: »

I like the wording above - letting people know what WILL be available and suggesting they bring something else if they prefer is nice and polite. Might I suggest you also provide some non-alcoholic alternatives too, just in case people are driving and decide not to bring soft drinks. Something like mulled apple juice might be a nice alternative, or even just cheap lemonade/fruit juice etc.

We always do warm spiced apple juice too. Tea, coffee, squash also in abundance - lots of children running around.

Rather than blowing the budget on beer etc I was hoping to do mince pies, christmas biscuits, tin of sweets etc and really laden the table with festive goodies.

Any hangers on after time usually get a bowl of chilli / curry and pizza for the kids so we do a lot.

sethsgran

So where is the party. Lol. You sound like a wonderful hostess.

sugarwalsh

I can't imagine turning up to a party/meal/open house empty handed! /surely your guests ask what they can bring to help? When I have friends over they always offer - and always bring a bottle regardless of what I say! I usually ask them to just bring themselves and 'whatever they would like to drink'. That generally works.

Have a great day though.

Megan

victory

Just say 'I am not sure what you will be drinking so if you have a specific preference then please bring it along, would not want to see you go without':D;)

Dizzy_Ditzy

:j

i'm blatant and would just tell 'em that its bring a bottle. If they turned up at mine without a drink they would be pointed the direction of the nearest shop!

:beer:

jillymit

Something along the lines of Why not join us for a mince pie and mulled wine. Beer and bottles of plonk always welcome!

Not too pushy but making it clear that it's ok to bring your own.
Maybe people have thought it rude to turn up with their own drinks as you've gone to the trouble of laying on mulled wine. That said I would never have just turned up without a little something for the hostess.


Edit - It maybe good to mention the kettle will be on as well.