Not to bring a bottle to a party if I don’t drink?

[4fingerKitKat]

Whenever I went to a party I normally brought a bottle of wine, beers or whatever.

I’ve recently quit drinking and don’t really know what the etiquette is - still bring alcohol? Bring a non alcoholic drink? Bring something else entirely (chocolates, nibbles?).

Help?

I would take soft drinks if you don't drink. Something for you to drink really but obviously some you could share too. I always do this on occasions when I don't want to drink alcohol or I cannot due to pregnancy etc.

I don't drink. I usually take a bottle of wine for the host, plus something for me to drink, as I don't expect soft drinks that I like to be provided (and I don't want to be drinking water or cups of tea all night!)

I've had a few periods where I've been on medication that can't be taken with alcohol.

If it's a fairly casual party, like a BBQ where everyone brings their own meat, I just bring a couple of soft drinks to share.

If it's something like a dinner party where the host is spending money and going to a lot of effort, I'd bring a soft drink or two, and a gift for the host, e.g. flowers or chocolates (or alcohol)

I'm in agreement with a few others. I take a bottle of the host's tipple if I know it or just wine if I don't as a gift then take my own soft drinks so I can drink them without worrying someone's vodka will be neat because of my thirst.

@ChampagneJam for knowing how to use words properly, you are welcome at my parties any time, no need to bring anything.

The bottle is a gift for the host so buy what they would like. Then if the invite is BYOB also take along whatever you're drinking

Meanies only take what they drink. So arrive with a litre of cheap coke - but enjoy the host's home, and food, and use their soap and loo paper and electricity. And benefit from their time and effort in arranging a party, and leave happy and with not a thought in their head about cleaning. But hey - you didn't have to pay for anything - because you don't drink.

If I go I take wine for everyone and a soft drink and a contribution (chocoaltes or nibbles or whatever is best depending on the type of party). It's just manners.

I would take a bottle of wine or pack of beers as a present for the host, and take whatever you are going to drink.

Oh of course unless you're a recovering alcoholic and buying/carrying the booze could be a risk

@ChampagneJam

I don't know who taught you *@GeorgiaGirl52* but that really isn't how to use the words

You both take your son to school and your lunch to work. How long you stay at the place has got nothing to do with which is the correct word. That is is strange notion

@whatausername you need a much better linguist than me to explain it fully, I'm sure there are explanations on line, it's to do with the where the things/people you are talking about are at the time you're talking about them. I'm not saying it's straightforward or easy to explain but in this specific example you take something with you to the party but the host who is at the party location would ask you to bring a bottle with you

Just a very simple example

It's really simple. You take from and bring to. So you take wine from your house and bring it to the party.

Unless everyone at the party is teetotal you should definitely take some alcohol and some of what you want to drink

I both bring and take wine, whether I drink it or not.

@KatherineJaneway

Unless everyone at the party is teetotal you should definitely take some alcohol and some of what you want to drink

Hmm, not sure if I agree with that. Our friends certainly put it away, but I’d never expect teetotallers, or people who aren’t drinking for whatever reason, to subsidise the drinkers.

Sure bring a gift for the host, which might be a bottle of wine, but you don’t need to supply the drinkers with alcohol.

I’ve never been anywhere where someone has brought their own soft drinks. I usually take a bottle of fine and flowers or candle or similar. I wouldn’t expect my drink to be opened either. As the host I make sure I’ve got drinks for exterior

Everyone not exterior

I don't drink alcohol so I wouldn't have a clue what type to take. Seriously I wouldn't have a clue where to start in the drinks aisle.
There are loads of lovely non alcoholic drinks out there. I don't understand the obsession with wine at all.

And that’s totally fair enough @Ilovemaisie - why would you?

OK so no consensus

I think my take on it is if it’s a very casual ‘come round for a drink’ type thing then bringing a soft drink and some nibbles would be fine.

If it’s a more formal thing where the host is actually going to some expense/effort, then something that is a gift for the host is more appropriate, whether that’s alcohol or something else.

Something else

Chocolates for example

Or flowers

It’s to say thanks so no rule it has to be alcohol imo

I would never expect someone who doesn’t drink alcohol to bring alcohol. Just taking something is polite, doesn’t matter what it is!

It depends on the event.

If you've been invited to a BYOB party then take something you will drink.

If you're talking about a customary gift for the host then take flowers or chocolates.

If you're going to something like a bbq then I would take a bottle of something non alcoholic and food or nibbles.

I’d bring wine as a gift for a host but not if I was just bringing stuff to drink myself

Hmm, not sure if I agree with that. Our friends certainly put it away, but I’d never expect teetotallers, or people who aren’t drinking for whatever reason, to subsidise the drinkers.

You aren't subsidising them though all things being equal. As host you would provide nibbles, soft drinks etc. No one is expecting you to bring a £20 bottle of wine

@ChampagneJam

Aaaaarrrggghh

It's TAKE people, not bring !

If you aren't at the place you take something with you to that place

This really sets my teeth on edge

I don't drink much so would take a soft drink but as I couldn't tell you the last time I was invited to a party it's not something that ever troubles my mind

Quote from Dictionary.com:

^Bring describes the movement of something toward a specified location. According to this convention, you can bring food to a party, but not take food to a party. If Maria is having a potluck, her guests might ask her: Is there anything we can bring? or Can I bring a friend? Maria might tell her guests: Bring something to drink, and of course you can bring a friend. In this scenario, you are moving something (food or a friend) toward Maria’s house.

Take, on the other hand, generally describes the movement of something away from a location. Maria might say: I have to take the garbage out tonight. Or she might ask her guests: Do you want to take any leftovers home? In these example, the focus is on the fact that Maria or her guests are removing something (the leftovers or the garbage) from her house.^