Company hosted Potluck - update 12/19

[LilyWDW]

This is a mess. Pure and simple. Your boss is not thinking this through and is setting it up to fail. No way in heck would I have anything to do with it. Especially the Friday before Christmas. He's insane! Even if I had wanted to go, that day would be crazy for me and I for sure would not have time to make anything. I would be the one showing up with chips and dip from the store. There's already not enough hours in the day that close to a major holiday.

Do it right or give up on the idea now.

 

[BLAZEY]

Our company has a company dinner at a fancy golf club with prizes (whole company invited) and 2 alcoholic drinks paid. We also gift a gift card to the grocery store for our turkey ($125), and those of us in the office get lunch out and the afternoon off on the last business day before Christmas. I think they are pretty generous. We used to get our annual bonus in December too, but now we get it in March at fiscal year end. We also go out a couple of times a year for lunch, and have BBQ's ( Hot dogs & Burgers in the yard) all company paid. Weekly market meetings with sandwiches brought in. It's worth the $$ to the company in employee moral.
At my old office we did monthly potluck and lunches and we would sign up to bring a specific thing (main, side, or dessert) and you actually had to tell them what you were bringing as not to get duplicates.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Why are you so resistant to a more practical main dish? I can't imagine spaghetti and meatballs going over well. That's tuesday night- soccer practice ran late- I'm exhausted dinner, not we aplreciate your hard work dinner.
It is a christmas party, I think some Honey Baked Hams, sliced cheese, rolls, fancy mustard, a big veggie tray (with finger foods and some tomatoes and lettuce and onion that are sliced for sandwiches), maybe some hummus for the vegetarians, and then have everyone bring the sides if you is ist on potluck. or you could order pizzas and bring a big salad, no effort required from your staff.

I would not appreciate a party where my boss served me cold, mushy, over cooked spaghetti and company -write -off beer. I'd think she thought I was lowly and should be grateful for whatever crumbs she tossed my way.

If your owner can't cough up $250 or so to feed some ppl and show appreciation, then they need to go back and learn more about leadership.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

Make lil' smokies or have a platter of subs from Cousins, have Christmas music playing, maybe have a couple of games or a raffle, enough garbage bags/cans around otherwise it fills up FAST, hot chocolate or hot apple cider....

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

In addition to the cups, plates, & napkins, your company could provide several sub sandwich platters, & employees could sign up to bring side dishes like baked beans, pasta salads, slaws, veggie platters, chips, & desserts.

This is what DH's company is doing today for Turkeyday. They brought in sandwich platters, wings, and nuggets.

DH brought in a triple chocolate cake with chocolate marshmallow frosting and a pumpkin pie.

ETA: He also got a $50 Honeybaked Ham store gift card (every year) and a $50 check as a "random bonus".

*other random bonuses this year include: tickets to our local AAA baseball game; movie tickets; gift cards to Starbucks, Publix, and Five Guys; a couple of $$ bonuses (ranging from $25 to $50); and a group outing to The Players (including an area with seating, food, drink and some handshaking with some golfing people, and a company polo shirt). Seems like fewer bonuses than last year. We're waiting on the big annual bonus, which comes out in a month. He'll know in 2 weeks what he gets; last year his take home was $4000, and his boss said the projections are about the same for this year. The big bosses decided bonuses back in October.

EATA: His company Christmas party is in 2 weeks, at Top Golf. His company did the work for the location there, so it's a big deal. He's taking DS (families are encouraged) as we will have GS#2 that weekend while his mom has a goodbye Florida party down at Universal.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

When I worked full time one company did 3 of these per year. It was a company of 30 folks. I didn't care for the potluck and always volunteered to cover the phones after the first one.
It was always done around lunchtime.
The company supplied the main dish usually a honey baked ham or 2 as well as some drinks and paper plates, napkins and plastic silverware.

Then they asked everyone to bring a side dish or dessert - the guys always brought rolls or chips it seemed like so after that first time, they had everyone sign up for something and you had to bring the serving fork or spoon for it too.

Another company I worked for tried it one year but there were just too many people for it to work well - nearly 150 folks. They wanted it to replace their Christmas party. They wanted people to eat in shifts and bring their items to the shift they were eating at but that didn't go well. I was thrilled when they didn't do it again. I just dropped off the 2 pies I made and went out for lunch.

I don't like buffet style restaurants so I'm not surprised I don't like potluck.
That being said, I need to come up with an appetizer for a potluck Christmas party in 3 weeks. And I will be having to drive an hour there with no access to an oven so this will be challenging. LOL

 

[disneychrista]

This seems wickedly unfair and inappropriate. I can see arranging a caterer and overseeing an event, but having to serve and do clean up duty. You're not a caterer! Really inappropriate. Good luck with it. I feel bad that you are in such a tough spot.

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

 

[quandrea]

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

I can see it being $1000 when you are looking at those numbers. We just did an Italian dinner--pasta, chicken, potatoes, veggies, eggplant Parmesan, salad and rolls for twelve to celebrate my mil's birthday. That ran $200 CAD. Still, if an employer can't kick in that amount for a party, I think it's better to do nothing. The idea of a potluck and/or you doing spaghetti for sixty is really cumbersome. I used to cater and the only way I'd serve pasta for your scenario would be a baked pasta. Even then, don't know how you'd possibly get that much cooked in a home kitchen, transported and kept hot.

The caterer in me says outsource the food, or go very simple with cold finger foods--catered, not potluck--to go with your beverages. That option might necessitate a change in time for the party so it doesn't coincide with a meal time.

 

[morgan98]

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

Again, not being mean to you OP, but for goodness sakes, this does not sound like thank you. It is definitely not a thank you to you, and I do not consider spaghetti, beer and random potluck stuff a couple of days before Christmas to be a thank you.

I would much prefer a heartfelt thank you and a couple of hours of comp time if possible. Maybe a hand written note to each employee?

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

I'd tell your boss that I'm unable -- kitchen limitations, other Christmas obligations -- to do the cooking and then let him decide if he wants to do the cooking, spend the money, or cancel the event.

 

[quandrea]

I'd tell your boss that I'm unable -- kitchen limitations, other Christmas obligations -- to do the cooking and then let him decide if he wants to do the cooking, spend the money, or cancel the event.

This.

 

[Happyinwonerland]

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

See, this is what I see as being resistant. You know good and well you aren't ordering a full meal, so your numbers don't make sense, and as a manager you know that. You can get a ham big enough to feed 25 ppl for around $60-$70. multiply by 3. This does not have to be difficult.

Look, give your staff cold spaghetti if you want. I hope you have a wonderful time and see how productive and loyal they turn out to be. We are just offering advice here.

 

[Southernmiss]

I can see it being $1000 when you are looking at those numbers. We just did an Italian dinner--pasta, chicken, potatoes, veggies, eggplant Parmesan, salad and rolls for twelve to celebrate my mil's birthday. That ran $200 CAD. Still, if an employer can't kick in that amount for a party, I think it's better to do nothing. The idea of a potluck and/or you doing spaghetti for sixty is really cumbersome. I used to cater and the only way I'd serve pasta for your scenario would be a baked pasta. Even then, don't know how you'd possibly get that much cooked in a home kitchen, transported and kept hot.

The caterer in me says outsource the food, or go very simple with cold finger foods--catered, not potluck--to go with your beverages. That option might necessitate a change in time for the party so it doesn't coincide with a meal time.

$1000 for 60 or 70 people is only about $15 per meal. That's not a lot in the grand scheme of things. Do you know any local caterers through your business that ou could talk to to have them cater the meal? Advertising for the caterer and could be a plug for future business opportunities for them.

I work at our church and we have a parishioner who is my "go to" caterer and it's amazing what she can do on a budget. She has a real job, but this is a side job for her.

 

[Wendy31]

Unfortunately, it comes with being the manager of the Ale House. Yay me!

I am not resistant to different ideas. Just saying what was thought of. If I had it all worked out, I wouldn't have come here asking for ideas & input.

I just talked to a place that can provide Turkey or Ham dinners, including 3 sides and cost is $75 for a "meal" that serves 6 - 8. I can get just a Turkey Breast or Spiral Ham $35. So if we need to serve 60 people that is $750 without the added costs of proving the soft drinks, appetizers, and desserts plus everything else looks to be close to $1,000. I am not counting any cost for the beer because that is minimal. Maybe the boss will be okay with this but it seems like a lot to me.

The bosses reason for having this get together is to say thank you for sticking by us during the hard times. There is no way to do it during the day, during working hours. After work hours is the only feasible time. I get that having the Friday before what is a four day weekend for us is not ideal. And I will bring this up to him again when we finalize things.

You don't need a catering company or restaurant or even the Honey Baked Ham store.

Call your local grocery store & see how much 3 pre-cooked spiral sliced hams are. For 60 people, you may need 4.

I was the secretary for a number of years for a small church. At Thanksgiving, we had a church-wide meal where the church provided the turkeys, & everyone else brought the sides. I would ask for 4-5 volunteers to cook turkeys, & I'd go buy the large 22-25 lbs turkeys at our local grocery store along w/ roasting pans. My turkey volunteer cookers would cook the turkeys at their homes & bring them to the church fellowship hall about 30 minutes before the dinner. I also had 2 men who would carve the turkeys for me. And we always had leftover turkey to send home w/ people.

Have you ever tried cooking spaghetti for 60 people? When you first posted, I thought you were talking about 20-25 people. For one of my kids' birthday parties, we once served a baked pasta dish, toasted French bread, & salad for about 25 people in our home (no transportation required) & that was difficult enough.

Are you going to have the afternoon off in order to cook? Otherwise, when are you going to cook the spaghetti & prepare the salad & how are you going to keep the spaghetti warm? How are you going to transport spaghetti, salad, & rolls for 60 people?

Trust me. Turkeys or Hams are going to be so much easier, &, if you're only buying the turkeys or hams, the cost is not going to be that much different.

As a company, provide the hams, rolls (like slider-type rolls), drinks, & plates/napkins/cups/plastic-ware.

Send around a sign-up sheet for salads (potato, slaw, pasta, etc.), chips, baked beans & other hot vegetable side dishes (like green beans or hashbrown casserole), & desserts.

Done.

 

[Wishing on a star]

OP, I think that I see that you are 'trying to be nice' and to make something work... to make something out of nothing.
But, everyone here is right.
You can't get a silk purse out of a sow's ear, or get water from a rock.

You are trying to be TOO nice.
Your defense of this situation makes me begin to wonder what relationship that you actually have with your boss (Family, Friend, Other....)

This is not a THANK you, it is a SCREW you.
Especially you, personally.

You might be trying to be 'nice', but your defense of this situation, and the fact that you are having a hard time coming to terms with voices of reason, is why maybe there are a few here are seeing what they think is being 'resistant'. (Just by simple first impression)

If the boss(s) will not agree to at least order some sandwich and snack plates, to be brought in, so that it can be a positive and enjoyable thing for everyone, then I would tell them that I just was not going to be able to do this.

Honestly, what this boss is offering (DEMANDING) and trying to pass off as a 'thanks', is insulting, and does not show that they are a good or even rational person.

 

[disneychrista]

See, this is what I see as being resistant. You know good and well you aren't ordering a full meal, so your numbers don't make sense, and as a manager you know that. You can get a ham big enough to feed 25 ppl for around $60-$70. multiply by 3. This does not have to be difficult.

How is Turkey/Ham, cranberry sauce & 3 sides (potatoes, stuffing, veggie) not a full meal? Explain that to me. Cost is $75 and serves 6 - 8 people. We would likely need 10 "meals" which is $750. If we are conservative we could do 8 and it is still $600.

I am not sure why you are calling me a liar.

 

[Wendy31]

I just checked our local grocery store.

For $60, I can get a large sandwich platter (including lettuce & tomato) which serves 28 people. For a group of 60, I'd order 3 which comes to $180.00.

I'm not sure, but I don't think you can get spaghetti, salad, & rolls for 60 people for less than $180.00.

When you add in the drinks, plates, cups, napkins, plasticware, tablecloths, etc, you're looking at maybe $250.00.

 

[Southernmiss]

How is Turkey/Ham, cranberry sauce & 3 sides (potatoes, stuffing, veggie) not a full meal? Explain that to me. Cost is $75 and serves 6 - 8 people. We would likely need 10 "meals" which is $750. If we are conservative we could do 8 and it is still $600.

I am not sure why you are calling me a liar.

Can you look at other food items instead of turkey/ham? I get that it's cheap, but after Thanksgiving and that close to Christmas, many people have had that meal several times and are weary from it.

In our area, red beans and rice, jambalaya and gumbo are all go a long way type meals that are regional, filling, good and liked by many. Seafood gumbos can get pricy, but there are sausage and chicken gumbos.

We'd do one or 2 of the above, chicken tenders for those that don't eat the main meal, potato salad, cole slaw, bread and bread pudding or other dessert and call it done.

Easy to feed a crowd with that type of food- and fairly inexpensive.

Maybe back to the pulled pork or chili or fajitas or something like that?

 

[soccerdad72]

How is Turkey/Ham, cranberry sauce & 3 sides (potatoes, stuffing, veggie) not a full meal? Explain that to me. Cost is $75 and serves 6 - 8 people. We would likely need 10 "meals" which is $750. If we are conservative we could do 8 and it is still $600.

I am not sure why you are calling me a liar.

I don't think she was calling you a liar, just saying that if you were having everyone else bring side dishes, there wouldn't be a need to buy the "full meal deal" at $75 for 6-8 people, but just get the turkey and ham separately at a much lower cost.

 

[Wendy31]

How is Turkey/Ham, cranberry sauce & 3 sides (potatoes, stuffing, veggie) not a full meal? Explain that to me. Cost is $75 and serves 6 - 8 people. We would likely need 10 "meals" which is $750. If we are conservative we could do 8 and it is still $600.

I am not sure why you are calling me a liar.

It's because you don't need to order a full meal.

If your boss is set on a potluck dinner, you just need to order the main dish - like 4 spiral-sliced hams or 4 large sandwich platters.

And we're saying ordering hams or sandwich platters is not going to be any more expensive than buying all the stuff you need for spaghetti, salad, & rolls... and ordering hams or sandwich platters is going to be MUCH easier on you.

If I were going to provide a full meal & needed to keep costs down, I'd be calling local BBQ places & pricing pulled pork, baked beans, & cole slaw.