Visitors sharing meals

[BJFP]

We are new to 'cottaging' and are having our first visitors this weekend. We figured now was a good time to start asking people to bring certain meal items. ie one breakfast, one dinner.
Anybody have any suggestions the best rule of thumb?

[Shuswap Bushman]

Did you invite them? If you did I'd say you are on the hook for the meals. A good guest however, should ask what they can bring/do. At absolute minimum a couple bottles of wine or cases of beer/coolers should be a fixture of every visiting cottage guest. I've had folks "invite themselves" (you know - we are in the neighborhood, can we swing by for a couple of nights...) and then not offer/bring/hrlp with anything related to meals. needless to say, call display weeds them out from future self-invitations.

[Tony Wo]

I agree with the BUSHMAN, if they ask what to bring, don't be shy: Tell them what you expect.

We typically ask our guests to bring a supper time meal and we'll do breakfast and lunch. We also supply all the Canadian beer as our friends are up from the States. They all love our "cottage" beer because some of it can't be purchased back home.

Tony

[fabien]

The first time we invite someone (usually a couple) we say "if you could bring a meal or two, don't worry about the condiments, that would be great". Any time after that, once the same couple is slated to come back up, they'll usually just say something like "ok so we'll be bringing dinner for saturday and some lunch". It has been really easy. Also don't be shy to ask guests to help setting up the table and cleaning. Guys especially can be bad. I tell everyone (again only once) the cottage is a "communal" experience and if we all pitch in and help then we can all have fun. This has been well received and helps make everybody comfortable as they all feel they are helping and not causing extra work for the hosts.

[Dad Fixit]

+1 Fabien

I get Bushman's point if you invite then your the host and should look after the whole she-bang ... At our place we distinguish between inviting someone for dinner (where we expect nothing) vs. staying a weekend (where everyone share in the chores) ... has worked well for us.

[Primroselane]

I find it difficult to organize meals when everyone brings a mishmash of ingredients so I too try to get guests to bring one whole meal and let them know how many people will be there.It frustrates me to no end when someone says they are coming and then doesn't show up.If they do that twice to me then I tell them to bring their own food because I know they are unreliable and don't want my meals to be ruined or food spoiled.

[Duke6979]

If we invite guest up we never ask them to bring/prepare meals. If they ask what they can bring it is usually the booze they like and as much water as they can handle since we are water access with no well and at our age lugging water jugs is a burden.

They never expect us to bring food when they reciprocate at their home or winter place in Florida etc.

[redindiangirl]

We have had lots of guests so far and when they ask what to bring, I tell them a sleeping bag and pillow. I can't do laundry at the cottage, so this helps. As for food...I know how many will be there on that weekend so I plan the meals. Usually I try to have the same few basic meals that I can prepare at the cottage and then I just know to replace those ingredients for the next time. Nothing fancy...lunch is just putting our some bread and cold meats and cheeses and they can make their own sandwich. Everyone usually pitches in and helps out either with preparation or clean up.
But if they say to me that they will be looking after the meal on Saturday night (it's happened twice so far), I say "that's great, thanks" and I sit back and let them at it. I just kind of "hover" in case they can't find something in the kitchen.

[jakefire_99]

I have a buddy that comes up with a van full of food. I don't ask him to but he does. He once told me: You pay the mortgage I can bring the meals!! That being said most of my guest ask what they can bring and we do the same as has been said here. We assign them a meal and they bring whatever,We'll do the rest. Also people tend to bring TONS of munchies so I beg guests after to not bring any chips etc...........I'm running out of cupboards to put them in!!

[shwack]

I agree invite them you feed them

For the most part only teenagers come up and bring nothing of course
including no money for going to the store
weekend costs me big when all 3 have friends up

Over the years that I visited other friends places I bring a ton of stuff to eat and drink
make breakfast in the morning mmmmm bacon on the Q

What kills me is " lets go tubing or skiing " and then offer nothing for gas
which will run 100$ a day pretty much

[Sadie]

I have a buddy that comes up with a van full of food. I don't ask him to but he does. He once told me: You pay the mortgage I can bring the meals!!

That's what most of our guests say too. We never tell them to bring food, but pretty much every time someone comes up they'll ask where the closest grocery store is and then offer to pay for the groceries while they are visiting.

[Drunkwithguns]

I have never asked anyone to bring food to my cottage as they are my guests.

Most of our friends always bring up something anyways or or end up doing some work around the yard and I am thankfull for the help.

Leeches are generally not invited back.

To be honest I rarely invite people to my place. I have a lot of friends around the lake.

[Panache]

I think it also depends on what type of set-up/cottage you have.
We have a very small place and we don't have room for a lot of people. If it's a rainy day, that means too many people in the kitchen!
I also bring enough food for the days we'll be there. I don't keep a lot of extras here, except maybe hotdogs! I always have cereal - so in a pinch, it's Shreddies for all - haha.

Because we're boat access only, we rarely get drop-in guests. If we do, I'm not afraid to say, "sorry - we don't have enough food for everyone".
So I DO ask guests to bring something. Depending on the weather, the number of people and how long they're staying will determine what I ask for.
A great idea is to bring things that are always used - like water, toilet paper [must be make from recycled paper, but most of my guests know how picky I am!], a can of coffee, a case of pop, booze, bread, weiners, etc.

Sometimes I am well prepared and tell my guests to bring nothing!! It depends on who they are and how far ahead I've been able to plan.

One thing I DON'T tolerate very well is guests that come and think they can eat/drink MY stuff without asking. Grrrrr.