The Beauty of Bring-A-Plate Parties

Here in the southern hemisphere, Summer is on its way. BBQ's are being scraped off and warmed up all over New Zealand (and Aussie too, I'm sure).

We kicked off BBQ season on Saturday night {Guy Fawkes Night} with a bunch of friends letting off fireworks, and eating together. It was relaxed, it was enjoyable, there was nobody slaving in the kitchen, just the mandatory bunch of blokes propping up the barbie while Mr G grilled the steak and sausies.

Mr G on the BBQ with his Supporters club; we had a tarp ready in case it rained... but the weather held (whew)

Its how we do things in this part of the world. Everybody brings something to share. We all help a little, we all get to enjoy the night. The host doesn't bear the cost of feeding and watering forty people; the hostess doesn't spend the evening slaving out back while her friends party without her.

That's just how we roll.
In New Zealand if you invite friends for lunch, their first question is always, "What shall I bring?"
When they arrive at your house, their first question is "What can I do?"
It sure does make it easy to have people over.

Think about it.

• Everybody prepares a little bit, it spreads the load
• You always have the right amount of food because each family brings enough to feed themselves
• Last-minute extra guests are no drama - just tell them what to bring
• You get to try out other people's amazing cooking, a BBQ is a great place for a recipe exchange
• Everyone takes their serving dishes home with them - less to clear away
• Everybody gets to enjoy the party, including the hosts

On Saturday night I sat around the table under the grapevine talking to my friends and watched their jaws drop when I told them that in the UK where my hubby is from, things are done very differently.
My husband's aunty and cousins explained to me that in England, if you ask people to "bring a plate" to a party you are hosting, its a shameful thing. It means that you "can't afford" or "can't cope" with hosting. Nobody would ever dream of requesting guests to bring a plate of food, or to help in the kitchen or tidy up.
The host does it all.

"Well, who would ever put their hand up to entertain then?!!" one friend exclaimed as I related this story.

Precisely. Its in the too-hard basket.
Who wants to take out a second mortgage for the privilege of spending all night slaving in the kitchen while your friends enjoy themselves without you?
Not me.

While we were in England, a relative told me that while she was watching Australian Masterchef, she heard the presenter remark on someone's dessert: "Now wouldn't that be lovely to take to a party!"
The idea really struck her as strange, making food to take somewhere. She said it was obviously something people do in Australia, which would never be done in England. But she thought it sounded like a lovely idea.

It is lovely. And we entertain a lot more in our part of the world, because it's so much easier when everyone pitches in. To us it seems strange to do it any other way.

Misty's To-Die-For Lemon Slice with Homemade Limoncello Candied Peel

My clever friend Misty made The Best Lemon Shortcake Ever for our party on Saturday.
I took one bite and got goosebumps from head to foot. It was so good, I found myself doing the scene out of When Harry Met Sally; simply could not stop groaning as I ate and floated up to heaven on a cloud of lemony goodness. See, when friends bring treats like these we all get to share the joy. Now I just need to convince Misty to share the recipe.

This post has been written for all my lovely UK friends and family, to encourage you to try a party "Kiwi-Style". Especially in these days of "Recession Gloom" everyone can do with a good party, dontcha think? Doing it Kiwi-style makes it affordable, do-able and really very easy...

Hosting a Kiwi-Style Party
Tell your friends you are having a party "like they do in New Zealand."
Send out an eco-friendly email (or txt) invitation explaining:

"For something different we are going to have a DownUnder-Style party...
In New Zealand it is tradition for each guest to bring something to contribute to a party. Each person brings "a plate" of their favourite food, and it is all put out on the table buffet-style. 
Come dressed in black wearing "jandals" (flipflops) or "gumboots" (wellies) 
Each family please bring a main PLUS a dessert AND/OR a bottle of drink to share."

{For a BBQ its usually meat for the barbie PLUS a salad or dessert and a bottle of drink}

Here's what I sent out to our friends for the Guy Fawkes night party...

Now don't think that the host has nothing to do with making the party awesome.
We string up lights, light lanterns, make punch - and of course whip up some world-famous Sangria. We create the atmosphere, provide the venue and make sure the loo is clean. So we don't get off  totally Scott-free.

For Guy Fawkes night, everyone brings a family box of fireworks. We end up with quite a display; meanwhile the cost is shared.

On New Years Eve we do it all again. We toast marshmallows over the brazier. We let off sky lanterns.
We dress the kids in their PJs and snuggle them into sleeping bags to watch a DVD and fall gently off to sleep while the grownups get to see in the New Year with our friends in a relaxed and enjoyable fashion.

I love the way we do things Downunder.
If you've never tried it our Bring-a-Plate way, give it a try. There's no shame in it.
Its just totally the most sensible (and enjoyable) way to have a great party.

More Backyard Parties:

• How to Make Homemade Tree Lanterns
• Delicious Sangria (for young and old)
• Bright Light Party 2010
• A Party for No Reason
• A Rainy Day Party
• Family-Friendly New Years Eve Party

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How do parties or barbeques get done where you are from? Do guests "Bring a plate" or do hosts provide everything? Do you enjoy hosting parties - or does the work involved put you off?