Whether for a special occasion or just a casual evening with friends and family, gathering around the table is a beloved Southern tradition. It’s not just about the food being passed around or the hum of conversation, but what the shared meal represents: time carved out for one another. But let’s be honest—hosting a dinner party can get expensive fast and gathering together shouldn’t be sacrificed because of a lack of time or money. The good news is you don’t have to spend a fortune to open your home and set a place at the table for your people. The answer? A potluck!

From church gatherings to park picnics, potlucks have been a central part of Southern culture for generations, so why not use that same framework for your dinner parties? Throwing a dinner party shouldn’t have to be expensive or stressful and a well-organized potluck is the perfect way to enjoy great food and good company without breaking the bank. 

It seems the pace of life keeps speeding up and the price of groceries continue to rise, but with a potluck everyone chips in. Rather than one person footing the bill for the full meal, each guest brings something. The result is a delicious collective meal that the host didn’t have to prepare (or pay for) all themselves. Potlucks also help remind us that hospitality isn’t about impressing people with fancy recipes and well-dressed tables—it’s simply about including them. 

The beauty of a potluck is its laid-back nature and simplicity. When everyone brings a dish to share, they’re also bringing a little piece of themselves to the table—be it a delicious tomato pie, Grandma’s baked ziti, or a heaping bowl of banana pudding.

Simply providing a table to gather around and setting the tone for the evening. This might look like suggesting a loose menu or theme ahead of time to give your guests some direction on what to bring, setting the table, and perhaps taking care of the main dish or drinks.

It can also be a good idea to provide a little something to start with as guests trickle in whether it’s a simple dip, cheese straws, or a house welcome cocktail. Think a big-batch punch, sparkling wine, or Arnold Palmer to keep things easy.

Whether it's backyard BBQ, comfort food classics, taco night, or an Italian feast, giving your potluck a theme helps keep everything somewhat cohesive—even when everyone is bringing different homemade dishes. 

And you don’t need spreadsheets or formal invites to do so. A simple group text or email saying “We’ve got the mac and cheese and sweet tea covered—who’s bringing the fried chicken, collards, and wine?” does the trick. Encourage a mix of mains, sides, desserts, and drinks. And remember: there’s no shame in store-bought.

Whether you’re going for a more formal affair or casual evening, set the table intentionally. Go ahead and pull out the good china, snip some greenery from the backyard for a quick centerpiece, and light the tapers—this is a dinner party, after all. And plan ahead for where everyone should place their dishes when they arrive. You can encourage guests to bring their own serving utensils or let them know ahead of time that you have them covered in that department.