Homeschool Group Parties

[ColwynsMommy]

How do your homeschool groups handle parties? I'm thinking of holiday parties, summer BBQs, etc.. where the purpose is to get together as a family (since usually the dads are at work for most of our meetings) and socialize as a homeschool community.

Do you do potlucks, is the host totally responsible for providing all the food, or does everyone contribute money to the host, who then provides all the food?

We've mainly done potlucks before and my issues are thus: it's hard to get the necessities covered - everyone wants to bring appetizers and desserts, and I end up spending a fortune buying what gets forgotten; sometimes people are late, and we all have to wait around for the burgers or hot dogs or drinks.

I don't mind providing everything if people contribute money, but I feel weird asking for cash when I'm hosting.

Just wondering how other groups handle it.

[CariOfOz]

What about 'drawing' to see who brings what? Put things like salad, veggie, desert, drinks, picnicware (plates & such if you are going disposable for this) on peices of paper and let everyone draw. That would give you a better variety of food instead of all sweets

MOST things here are done potluck style, which means no way does the host get saddled with the burden of supplying all the food! As far as the main dishes, I guess it depends on what the plan is? If it's burgers etc, maybe suggest to the group that there be a per person contribution of a couple of bucks towards that, as the meat is a very expensive part of the meal. Or each family can just bring their own meat/main and whatever category of food they 'drew' to share?

[Dakota's Mom]

For parties, we list what we plan on bringing when we RSVP. Of course that doesn't mean that someone won't change their mind last minute and not tell anyone. We haven't really had any family type dinners. It is usually party food, snack type things. We also have several children with severe allergies so frequently we just bring enough for our own family.

Kathi