Just like that, the holiday season is here! For many, that could mean fall festivities, pumpkin patches, and gift-giving. In addition to all of that, I look forward to the idea of bringing people together to enjoy delicious comfort food in my Camden apartment.

I know what you’re thinking… hosting a potluck for the holidays can be an unnerving task, full of chaotic spending, cooking, and cleaning, but that is far from it! Potlucks are organized to help bring people together in a joyous manner, and if you follow this guide, you will want to host every year!

Invitations

Countless perks come with hosting a potluck. Aside from eating most of the leftovers, you also get to decide who will be attending, and what food will be brought!

I highly recommend giving your guests as much time as possible to plan for the date you are hosting. Sending invites 3-4 weeks out provides your guests, and more importantly yourself, plenty of time to prepare without feeling overwhelmed.

To save time, you can design an electronic invitation from a pre-set template and send it through text or email!

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Decorations

From autumnal wall art to pumpkin-filled centerpieces, the options are endless when transforming your Camden apartment from Summer to Fall. Start simple, have fun with it, and make it your own. Adding small accents of orange and yellows, can quickly cozy up your space and will give your guest that warm welcome. Some home and craft stores, like Joann’s or Michael’s, will have all your wants and needs for fall décor! Both stores also provide great deals and coupons, so check them out!

The Menu

One of the most crucial parts of organizing a potluck is the menu! Before you start to stress and think about deciding which dishes your guest will be bringing, let them decide in a category you select. Not only will this make your job easier, but it will also create a sense of creativity and an element of surprise for your guests! On the contrary, ensure that the categories are evenly dispersed amongst your guests, resulting in a full-course meal and not just appetizers or desserts. After you’ve created your guest list, create a spreadsheet that outlines the guest count, any food allergies, and what courses each guest would be assigned to bring. If you need help choosing something to cook for this upcoming holiday season, check out this guide!

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Day of Potluck

The time has come, and you are about to host your own potluck in your apartment! Here are a couple of things to remember:

Parking: Whether you are parked at one of our Downtown Communities, like Camden Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida, you will want to ensure that your guests have step-by-step directions on where to park to ease any frustrations.

Plates, Cups, Cutlery: If you are going for a Fall theme, some of the stores I have mentioned would be able to provide you at an affordable cost. I recommend buying high-quality disposable material for all your cutlery, plates, and cups, which will lead to an easier cleanup!

Setup is Key: Whether your apartment is big or small, you get to decide how to display the food and what kind of flow it has for your guests. In addition to the setup, labeling each dish would help your guest navigate the food options, and can be a way to look out for allergies. I would recommend having some blank labels on the display with a marker and allowing your guests to write down the description of the food that they brought.

Cleanup: Most people would recommend “cleaning as you go”, but I am here to tell you otherwise. Enjoy the food, your friends and family, and the time spent coordinating this potluck, and worry about the mess later. To help ease this step, provide to-go containers where guests can bring leftovers home.

Following these tips will help contribute to the success of your potluck and will have your guest leaving with a smile and a lot of leftovers! By divvying tasks among you and your guest, while planning ahead, you will knock out this holiday potluck with ease! Happy hosting!