It seems like recently – probably because of Pinterest – dinner parties have gotten complicated. Now to have friends over for socializing and refreshments, you have to come up with a signature cocktail and serve them in handmade cups. Or pick a unique theme and make your visitors come dressed in costume. (Whatever happened to good old-fashioned dinner parties and low-key barbecues?)
I complain, but recently, I decided to throw a specialty shindig of my own. The purpose was to appease all those who wanted to come see the new house and asked if we’d be throwing a housewarming party (I didn’t want to host a party for which guests felt inclined to buy gifts). A bunch of our friends had yet to see our new house, but having that many people over had the potential to get expensive (especially if you’re like me and you always overdo it and buy too much for fear of running out). So, I needed an idea.
One night, I got just that. I came up with what I thought was an original idea: a Pinterest potluck. Come to find out, other people (and still more people) have hosted these before. Here’s how they work:

• The hostess creates a board on her Pinterest page called, “PINTEREST POTLUCK.”

My Pinterest Potluck board

• Invites go out with the following instructions … I used Evite to save money.

A portion of my Evite creation

• As guests RSVP, the hostess makes them official pinners for the potluck board.
• Every guest chooses a food item or two to make (for my party, I limited them to just appetizers, desserts and cocktails).
• Every food item has to be something the guest has never made before; and it has to be something they’ve pinned on Pinterest but hadn’t tried to make yet. (How many of us have Recipe boards with recipes galore we plan to make but never do?)
• The guests then re-pin the recipe(s) they plan to make onto the party’s “PINTEREST POTLUCK” board. That way all other guests can see what’s already being made and avoid duplicating items or having too many food items of one particular category.

My Pinterest Potluck board and some of the recipes my guests made.

• Finally, the day of the party arrives, and everyone gets to try all these new recipes!

That’s it! Easy and affordable for all.

Here are the winners and losers from my Pinterest Potluck, in hopes that it helps you plan your own.

…
MOST SUCCESSFUL PIN
(WAS EVEN BETTER THAN ADVERTISED)
Tropical White Wine Sangria
This was a HUGE hit at the party. The only issue was that I didn’t have enough to make more.

Tropical White Wine Sangria

…
PINTEREST FAIL
(I SCREWED UP MAKING THIS RECIPE)
Baked Cauliflower Poppers
While these turned out delicious, they didn’t look appetizing and were not the right choice to make for party food. They were mushy and soggy, but tasty.

…
BEST DESSERT
(THIS WAS SO GOOD THAT I’LL BE MAKING THEM MYSELF LATER)
Cinnamon/Sugar/Banana Nutella Pastries

…
BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT
(WAS SO EXCITED TO TRY THIS, BUT IT DIDN’T LIVE UP TO MY EXPECTATIONS)
Grilled Avocado w/Melted Cheese & Hot Sauce

…
PIN THAT MADE IT INTO MY RECIPE BOOK
(SO EASY & SO GOOD!)
Crack Bread