British version of an American "Pot Luck lunch"

[Thudercatsrule]

Evening wise mumsnetters,

I'm trying to organise a Christmas lunch in work where everyone brings a dish or snacks etc, but i dont know how to phrase it! They call it Pot Luck is the US.

I'm going to book a meeting room, some decorations and then just want everyone to chat and mingle and hopefully get secret santa going as well.

I need to do a poster/email invite.....but am totally stuck on what to say.

So......any ideas please?

Bring and Share Christmas Lunch - does what it says on the tin.

In my last role, we were a very ethnically diverse team, and we often had Bring and Share From Your Home Country lunches. We had some amazing spreads, but the organiser used to send round a list, stating how many mains, sides and puds we wanted, so we didn't end up with 20 puds. Although I don't think anyone would have minded that 😀

In my experience people are quick to sign up for crisps or drinks.
We do them quite often and have a rule which is everyone brings a dish PLUS a bottle of drink (in our case usually soda/juice)

I am in my 50s and had never heard of pot luck until I lived with Americans overseas. Now it seems to be commonly understood here.

I am smiling at Faith Supper and Fellowship Supper though, as I haven't heard those since 1970s!

Tell people what quantity to bring and have them sign up for sweet or savoury.

If you need drinks, napkins, plates, etc. also ask people to sign up to bring those. And to decorate the space and sort out music.

Bring and share - agreed.
Pre-agreed list - no. Hate that.

Bring and share. And ask people sweet or savoury. Also, ask people to label their dish with a list of ingredients. I love a bring and share!

Jacob's join.
A prepared list has always been essential.
When we've not had one a few of the 'can't be arsed' types popped into Sainsbury's and bought multipack of crisps. That wasn't a great buffet. 😕
Someone once turned up with a bottle of Vimto.

It's 'bring and share' and needs coordinating for all reasons said.

BUT ... the OP was doing this last year!

Odd thread to revive without a new question.

It's 'bring and share' and needs coordinating for all reasons said.
It's bring and share for some people. I had never heard if that expression until this thread.