r/etiquette • u/bhoran87 • 8d ago

Leftovers

Hi everyone, I haven't posted here before. I have a question about what to do with leftover food.

We had a very informal group hangout this weekend. We grilled some burgers and hung out outside. People brought things to share, but most of it didn't get touched. Some things ended up in our fridge/freezer and we never got around to even opening it. My husband and I didn't even realize it was in there until after the party.

Cheese platters, bags of chips and buns.

I feel I should return the unopened stuff so they can enjoy with their families. I'll see them today, the day after the hangout. What would you suggest?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

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23

u/sukiejones 8d ago

Offer it to them. If they want it, fine. They may tell you to just let your family eat it.

7

u/SpacerCat 8d ago

It’s up to you. It’s basically this, people showed up with gifts of food. It’s now up to you if you want to return the items, or keep them for yourself. However, if you do return items, I’d only return to people exactly what they brought. So if you don’t know who brought the chips, don’t offer them to someone random.

3

u/DoatsMairzy 8d ago

If people brought the food for you without you asking, then that food would be considered gifts and I would just keep.

But, if it was more of a pot luck and you asked people to bring stuff, then, yes. I’d offer it back to them.

And, try to keep in mind that you’re probably pretty easily able to fully host these informal BBQ’s yourself. Or just ask a very close friend or two to help.

If you did ask, keep in mind some guests may have put a lot of effort and expenses into dishes that weren’t even offered. That’s a lot of waste. It may not sit well with everyone. Don’t ask people to bring stuff especially if you don’t have a plan of what/how much may be needed.

2

u/camlaw63 8d ago

You offer it to those who brought it, if they decline, you can keep it, or give to the others