Holiday party RSVP
Guests reply, pick a course and name their dish, so the table plans itself.
What's inside
Guests who come give a headcount, pick a course from the places still open, name the dish, tick the allergens in it and say whether they join the gift swap.
- 1Your name
- 2Are you coming?Yes, I'll bring a dishNot this year
- 3How many of you, you included?Only if “Are you coming?” is Yes, I'll bring a dish
- 4What will you bring?A starterA mainA sideDessertDrinksOnly if “Are you coming?” is Yes, I'll bring a dish
- 5The dishOnly if “Are you coming?” is Yes, I'll bring a dish
- 6Does it contain any of these?NutsGlutenDairyMeat or fishOnly if “Are you coming?” is Yes, I'll bring a dish
- 7Joining the gift swap?Yes, I'll bring a wrapped giftNot this timeOnly if “Are you coming?” is Yes, I'll bring a dish
Planning a potluck that isn't six desserts
Send the link three weeks before the party, earlier in December when calendars fill up. Ask for replies a week ahead so you can fill the gaps yourself.
The course question keeps the table balanced on its own: four starters, four mains, six sides, four desserts and six drinks, each counting down as guests choose and closing when full. Change the numbers to the size of your party.
Allergen ticks travel with each dish. Write them on a small card next to the plate, so guests with an allergy can eat without asking about every bowl.
The gift swap question gives you the number of wrapped gifts to expect, and who to pair. For a sit-down evening with one cook, the dinner party RSVP fits better.
Holiday potluck questions
Can guests see what others are bringing?
They see how many places are left in each course, never who took them: replies go to you. Share a summary in your group message if you want everyone to know the dishes. A week out, check the dish names for doubles, like two pumpkin pies. Ask one of those cooks to switch to something else in the same course.
Can I make it an office party instead?
Yes. Change the title and intro, and delete the gift swap or the dish questions if the food is catered. The headcount stays. Post the link in the team chat rather than by email, so remote staff see it too. Set the reply date two days before the caterer needs a final number, and the headcount already covers any partners.
Why ask about allergens?
Shared tables are where allergies go wrong. Four ticks per dish give you labels for the buffet without asking every cook in person. Nuts and gluten hide in pesto, stuffing and crumble toppings, so the ticks catch what a dish name doesn't. If a guest with a severe allergy is coming, ask that cook to bring the recipe too.
- Dinner party RSVPKnow who is coming, what they don't eat and who brings a guest before you plan the menu.
- Housewarming RSVPKnow who's dropping by and when, who's driving, and who will help hang the pictures.
- Graduation party RSVPCount party guests and ceremony seats in one reply, and collect advice for the graduate.
- Anniversary party RSVPGuests reply with a headcount and a memory of the couple that ends up in the toast.
- Retirement party RSVPColleagues reply, offer a short speech and write a line for the memory book, coming or not.
- Going-away party RSVPFriends reply and leave a way to stay in touch, so the person leaving takes everyone's details along.
- Murder mystery party sign-upGuests claim a character, each one only once, and leave an email for their secret clues.
- Brunch party RSVPGuests pick their eggs and drink ahead, so you cook once instead of taking orders at the stove.
- Prom group sign-upYour prom group signs up with dates, limo seats, dinner orders and a parent's phone in one reply.
- Cocktail party RSVPGuests reply, name their plus-one and vote on the signature drink, so the bar matches the crowd.
- Backyard BBQ RSVPEach guest orders off the grill, so you buy the right number of burgers and veggie patties.
- Boat party RSVPThe boat has a fixed number of seats, and the form closes itself once they're taken.
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