When going to a "house party" where you are also bringing a gift (birthday party, graduation party, etc.), will you also bring a food item or other contribution, other than the gift?

It depends on the person. If you feel close to him then yes, it is common to bring a food item. Another thing you could do is to buy an expensive bottle of wine or something like that. Doing this you are giving a gift but also something for the party. But you must do what you feel you want to do, not what other people want you to do or what others do.

Depends on your relationship with the party organizer. You are more than ok with your contributions!

I agree with the above posters.
A gift card is a bit unusual IMO, but hey, it’s still a gift.
Usually I bring a food item, dessert, wine or flowers. I like to bring flowers a lot, the hostess is usually thrilled and they add another nice touch to the occasion.

Most of the time, I ask whether there’s anything I can bring. The answer is rarely ‘no’.

That was nice of you to take cupcakes, but not at all necessary. A bottle of wine, maybe, or flowers, some kind of hostess gift. But it’s not a potluck.

And a check is odd for a fifty year old’s birthday. I’d give a different type of gift, perhaps a gift card to a specific store (like a bookstore or a CD store) but not a check.

Overall, though, you expressed graciousness in giving what you gave, so be glad.

I usually ask the person throwing the party, because everyone and every situation is different. I’ve never been one for ‘social conventions’ because there seems to be so much variation among different people and cultures.

I always ask if there is something that I can bring in terms of food or drink, then abide by that answer. I’m happy to do it, but if the menu is planned and everything good to go, I don’t want to shove my choices onto the host.

I just got invited to a wedding by an email word-of-mouth. The couple is closing their litle street and having a block party from12:00PM to 8:00 PM. I was told to bring my own chair and a dish for a pot luck and dress informally. No wedding gifts. No indication as to parking. Venue is a house on a slope with no grounds or shade and no comfortable place to sit. The ceremony may be at 1:00 PM or thereabouts. I’m too old for this but cannot not attend.

So I’ll schlep my chair for several blocks, wear a hat and my sneakers, bring a cold bean salad, hope the ceremony is on time, stay for an hour, schlep my chair back to the car and make my escape.

Since it’s word of mouth, would any of you like to come with me?

Unless I was told specifically that it was a potluck party (which most of my family parties are) I would only bring the gift. I usually ask the person who is sending out the invites if I can bring anything or if there is a specific food theme like Mexican or St. Patrick’s Day food (which there usually is).

If it is a party I usually ask if I can bring food to help out if I feel inclined, I rarely just show up with it, unless it is a potluck and everyone is expected to bring something. They might have a planned menu or a theme.

If I am just visiting someone or it is a small get together of family and friends that is extremely informal then I might bring food without worrying about it. Bake some cookies or a cake, that sort of thing. They can eat them or just set them aside. I don’t want them to feel pressure at the moment to display them or share them.

@gailcalled That sounds great!

@JLeslie: Maybe you’d like to go in my place. Feel free.

@gailcalled One of my favorite weddings and receptions was a very close girlfriend of mine was married in the Catholic church and then after we all changed to jeans and shorts and the reception was at her parents house. They owned 100 acres and had a big tent and the driveway was the dance floor. later they had a big hayride pulled with a tractor, but I had to leave early.

Edit: It wasn’t potluck though. I do like to go to a wedding without having to prepare anything. I like to just show up.

At least a Catholic church has pews. And we are talking about ¼ acre, most of which is a steep hill behind the house. Not condusive to making one’s guests comfortable.

I saw in Target you can buy a snap on parasol for their lawn chairs. It’s only an extra $6 if I remember correctly. 12:00–8:00 doesn’t sound like the best time for a summer party, unless you get lucky and the weather is cool for this time of year. Hottest part of the day or mosquitos. I say go right at noon and get it over with.

I do this same thing.

You gave a $30 gift card. No need for “Supemarket Salad.”

Yet? I do it.