Potluck shopping list
A full list of what to buy and what to ask guests to bring — split by category so nothing gets missed and nothing gets doubled up.
Mains
Sides
Dips & Nibbles
Desserts
Drinks
Serving Supplies
Let guests claim what they're bringing
Create a potluck space in Debara, share the link with guests, and let them tick off what they'll contribute. No more "I thought you were bringing dessert."
Get Debara free →
Potluck planning tips
Assign categories, not dishes
Ask guests to bring "a side dish" or "dessert" rather than a specific recipe. It gives them flexibility and reduces the pressure on everyone.
Host covers the main
It usually works best for the host to cover the main dish and let guests fill in the rest. This way there's always something substantial to build around.
Ask about dietary needs early
A quick message to guests about allergies and dietary preferences before anyone starts cooking saves a lot of stress on the day.
Label everything
Small paper labels or sticky notes on dishes help guests know what contains allergens and let people make informed choices.