How to Host a Potluck Dinner Party
Follow these tips to ensure your collaborative dinner party goes smoothly
By:
From:
Holiday Party Planner

Robert Divers Herrick
For novices, hosting a potluck dinner party is the perfect solution. Your duties are lessened when guests help out with preparing the large meal, and people are usually happy to show off their cooking prowess by bringing a dish. Keep reading for some fail-proof tips on how to host this collaborative party.
Pick a Theme
While a potluck is a great opportunity for guests to flaunt their skills in the kitchen, it's your job as party host to ensure that all dishes complement one another. For example, Tim might bring his signature dish — Thai curry — which doesn't meld so well with Beth's award-winning apple pie.
Pick a theme for your dinner party ahead of time to establish general culinary guidelines. Encourage guests to make dishes with seasonal ingredients or dishes that are part of a particular cuisine. The resulting menu will be harmonious and interesting while still allowing your guests to show off their creativity.
Assign Dishes to Guests
To ensure a balanced spread, you'll want to make sure you have all of these courses covered:
1. Appetizers
2. Side dishes
3. Main courses
4. Desserts
5. Drinks (alcoholic and non)
Consider guests’ skill levels and interests when assigning courses. You may want to entrust the main course to an experienced cook (or a professional chef, if you're lucky enough to have one among your guests) and leave the wine and beer to the eligible bachelor who’s never set foot in a kitchen.
Set the Scene
Since the food will be taken care of by your trusty friends, focus your energy into making the party space feel extra special. Decide whether guests’ dishes will be displayed in a designated buffet area or served family style down the length of the table, and get the area ready accordingly. Consider decorative elements like your table linens, centerpiece and dinnerware, as well as thoughtful details like place cards at each place setting and menu cards to accompany each dish.
And don’t forget about the rest of your home! Prep the powder room with a small bud vase, elegant hand soap and scents (like candles or reeds) to make the environment feel particularly special for your guests.
Send 'em Packing
This is one affair that people tend to overcook for, and while that isn't a bad thing, it often leaves the host with tons of leftovers. Prepare for the inevitable by purchasing plastic wrap and inexpensive disposable plastic containers (lest you become the victim of Tupperware thievery) for guests to package and take home extra food. Better yet, buy kraft-paper takeout boxes that can be tied shut with natural twine; they make a prettier to-go box than plastic. Guests will be glad to see their hard work hasn't gone to waste and can enjoy the fruits of their friends' labor the next day.
Next Up
Debi Mazar’s Holiday Dinner Party Tips
Extra Virgin's Debi Mazar shares her tips for throwing a dinner party during the holidays.
Party in Five: Holiday Cocktail Party
Throw a holiday cocktail party with metallic and jewel-tone decorative details, DIY elements and tasty recipes from Cooking Channel.
Cocktail Party Ideas
We show you how easy it can be to throw a cocktail party, from planning your menu to making sure you have enough food and drink for guests.
Brunch Party Game Plan
Host a fabulous midmorning fete with these brunch dish and beverage recipes (plus a plan for getting them ready without skimping on shuteye).
Party in Five: Last-Minute Holiday Cocktail Party
Try these easy holiday party ideas, including party food, cocktail recipes and more, from Cooking Channel.
A Festive, Healthy Holiday Party
Try these lighter holiday party appetizers for bites that will fill guests up without weighing them down.
Top 10 Tips for Hosting The Ultimate Holiday Party
Get Cooking Channel's party hosting tips and secrets to throwing the ultimate holiday party.
3 Holiday Parties You Can (Still!) Pull Off This Year
Did you find your holiday cheer late this year? There's still time to throw a party with these easy holiday themes from Cooking Channel.
Recipes for Every Type of New Year's Eve Party You'll Go To
Get New Year's Eve recipes for appetizers and drinks on Cooking Channel.
Holiday Stress Tips
Make sure you're able to actually enjoy your Christmas party by planning in advance and doing a little bit of smart prep work.