Help a socially awkward overthinker

[Sprogonthetyne]

College has very kindly invited myself and lots of other people from work to a gathering at their house. I've asked if there's anything I can bring and they've said "just bring yourself".

Can I actually just turn up empty handed? Or do I bring something anyway?

I'd bring something small anyway for the host - but just because that's the way i was raised, you offered to bring something for the gathering and they don't need anything so i'd be thinking more a small gift along lines of a plant, wine, fancy lemonade if non alcoholic drink more appropriate, candle, that sort of thing.

.. sorry pressed post too soon, meant to add but yes you can just turn up empty handed and it wouldn't cause offence

Yes you bring something small as a gift. Bottle of wine, flowers, box of chocolate, or similar.

I was leaning towards bringing something anyway, then was second guessing with do as they've asked.

Is it OK to just pick up a supermarket bunch of flowers on the way?

Hi fellow overthinker
I'd take something, just out of courtesy.
Maybe a box of chocs or a bottle of wine?
Flowers sound nice too. Hope you have fun!

When people say just bring yourself, it's just because it feels more polite and less bossy than saying please bring a bottle of wine. You should still take something. Flowers, chocolates, alcohol or as I'm a non drinker, I often take posh soft drinks!

I'd bring something small - flowers or chocolates and maybe a bottle of wine or nice soft drink alternative.

Im assuming you mean a colleague and not a college...if so id go with a bottle of wine.

I'd bring something. I'd bring wine personally, but flowers would be lovely too.

Absolutely bring something. That's the kind of polite nothing people say when asked. Wine is the most obvious thing, or something nice and non-alcoholic, especially if you don't drink. We had people over for dinner last week, and were brought a lot of wine, a jar of honey from the friend's own bees, a baby aloe vera plant off another friend's giant one, and some flowers.

Just a wee thing would be fine. I would say not flowers as they have to do something with them and they might be too busy to find a vase etc.

There's always one 🙄

Yes OP, just a token gift is a lovely idea. Hope you have a great time.

I would take something. Not flowers as they might be cooking/preparing/hosting when you arrive and it means they have to deal with the flowers. But a bottle of wine/non alcoholic equivalent, box of chocolates etc. It's probably fine to "just bring yourself," but always better to err on the side of politeness.

If I was the host in that situation I wouldn't be expecting you to bring anything but I'd be pleasantly surprised if you did. I can't imagine any situation where it would cause offence if you brought a small token gift, so I would - but as others have said, maybe avoid flowers in case they're a hassle.