Midwinter Potluck

By: Vanessa Greaves

Warm up a midwinter's night with a friendly potluck supper. Since your guests contribute to the feast, you get to enjoy yourself at your own party!

Potluck Party Planning Tips

A simple potluck supper still takes a little organizing, especially if you don't want to end up with an all-cheese-and-crackers dinner party.

Build your guest list and menu to comfortably fit your space. Will you eat standing up? Sitting down? A little of both? Serve knife-and-fork food only if your guests will be seated at a table.
If you're building around a theme, make menu suggestions. And always keep a running list of who is bringing what.
Choose food that's easy to transport. If you're hosting, perhaps you can handle the trickier dishes such as soups and stews.
Dishes should be made in advance, but plan for oven, stove top and microwave reheating needs.

Dinner and a Movie Options

Fireside Feast:

Doctor Zhivago
Fargo
Ice Age
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
The Pink Panther

Island Paradise:

Castaway
Swiss Family Robinson
Mutiny on the Bounty
Pirates of the Caribbean
South Pacific

If you're looking for menu inspiration, try going with a snow-bound ski chalet theme. Or maybe you've had it with winter and you're longing for a tropical escape. Either way, don't go overboard with food choices--a substantial potluck can be as simple as one or two appetizers, a main dish, a side dish and a dessert.