When people say...don't bring anything...

nickyhutch

I'd take wine (always handy) but not chocolates - everyone has more than enough of those at Christmas. Maybe cheeses and crackers, and some chutnies?

irishjohn

If you want to give a gesture of appreciation for the invite then buy some goodies - wrap them and leave them in your car / bag concealed until your time to leave and then hand them the gift for them to enjoy as they relax after being hosts.

And then think about returning the favour - invite them to your place for a celebration event in the future.

TeamLowe

if there's going to be a few of you there, how about taking a game like pictionary or something? up to the hosts if it gets played and hopefully won't be a duplication like more perishables might be

arbroath_lass

I always say not to bring anything (and I do mean it) but a box of chocolates or some flowers are always appreciated. Even wine, as long as you drink it yourself (I'm not a wine fan)! But I wouldn't grumble behind your back if you didn't bring anything. Helpful? Probably not!

FatVonD

Are they control freaks, I ask because if I said don't bring anything I really mean don't bring anything.

I hate it if I've gone to a lot of trouble with food and then someone turns up with something extra :mad: Prime examples, a posh picnic, I had provided all the food including fresh cream cakes. Someone turned up with a Mr Kipling chocolate swiss roll thing that ruined my theme

Or when I've spent the morning marinading stuff for a BBQ and then someone brings a pack of kebabs from the supermarket.

I'll stop now

Prothet_of_Doom

lostinrates wrote: »

I take a bottle of wine if they are not teetotal. I say ' I know you have everything covered but this can go down for some time in the new year for you two to enjoy together '.

I take a bottle of wine if they are teetotal. I say "I know you have everything covered but you won't have bought decent wine cause you never head down that aisle at Tesco"

:rotfl:

itsanne

FatVonD wrote: »

Are they control freaks, I ask because if I said don't bring anything I really mean don't bring anything.

I hate it if I've gone to a lot of trouble with food and then someone turns up with something extra :mad: Prime examples, a posh picnic, I had provided all the food including fresh cream cakes. Someone turned up with a Mr Kipling chocolate swiss roll thing that ruined my theme

Or when I've spent the morning marinading stuff for a BBQ and then someone brings a pack of kebabs from the supermarket.

I'll stop now

I'll come to your picnic or barbecue anytime, quite happy to bring just myself .

balletshoes

arbroath_lass wrote: »

I always say not to bring anything (and I do mean it) but a box of chocolates or some flowers are always appreciated. Even wine, as long as you drink it yourself (I'm not a wine fan)! But I wouldn't grumble behind your back if you didn't bring anything. Helpful? Probably not!

i think thats very helpful - its exactly how i feel about it too .

Anything more than some choccies, or some flowers, or some wine, and as the host I'd be pee'd off to be honest - after all, we said no pressies, right?

Pee

Will they be coming to yours next Christmas? I would make sure I took sufficient to drink, which for Christmas if I was staying there would be a few bottles, and probably a bottle of Baileys. It means you definitely have something you like to drink. I wouldn't if they were teetotallers. Sometimes people turn up expecting everyone to ooh and ah over their contribution, which is a bit much when the hosts have done all the work. I usually say don't bring anything if people come for dinner, but people usually bring a bottle of wine, and I would expect them to then invite me back.

lostinrates

FatVonD wrote: »

Are they control freaks, I ask because if I said don't bring anything I really mean don't bring anything.

I hate it if I've gone to a lot of trouble with food and then someone turns up with something extra :mad: Prime examples, a posh picnic, I had provided all the food including fresh cream cakes. Someone turned up with a Mr Kipling chocolate swiss roll thing that ruined my theme

Or when I've spent the morning marinading stuff for a BBQ and then someone brings a pack of kebabs from the supermarket.

I'll stop now

I don't even think that's control freaky. I think if thoughts gone into planning and someone brings something that throws the balance its rude tbh. That's why I take something non perishable that doesn't demand to be put out any time soon but can be out away for months (or even years depending on the bottle).


It seems to me that to take something rapidly perishable or for that evening only is as rude as turning up empty handed to me