My best friends and I meet for dinner once a week, and it has always felt like our version of therapy. It is the time when we decompress about everything: motherhood, single parenting, relationships, fashion trends, and whatever else life has thrown at us that week. We started doing this in our 20s, and now that we are 50, it has become one of those traditions I never want to lose.
For years, I told myself the extra cost was worth it because the time together mattered so much. And honestly, going out to eat has always been one of my favorite little luxuries. No cooking, no cleaning, and someone bringing food right to the table? I have never needed much convincing.
But with food prices climbing and gas prices feeling completely out of control, our weekly dinners started to feel harder to justify. I still believe in enjoying life, but at some point, I began to feel a little irresponsible every time another expensive bill landed on the table.
A few months ago, I was out to dinner with a girlfriend when we both looked down at our bills and had the same realization at the exact same time: “I can’t spend $45 on a salad once a week anymore.” Our weekly ritual was special, but it was also costing close to $200 a month. I was tired of acting surprised every time a small plate of food came with a huge price tag. By now, we all know things just are not what they used to be.
So instead of complaining after every meal, we decided to bring back the potluck. And I can honestly say it has been the best change.
I know potlucks are not everyone’s thing. Some people feel a little uneasy about eating food that came from someone else’s kitchen. I get it. But for me, bringing back this kind of gathering has been positive in so many ways.
First of all, it saves so much money. Instead of dropping almost fifty dollars on one meal, I can spend less than half that amount making a dish to share. And when I start telling myself I do not have time to cook something, I remind myself that saving hundreds of dollars a month is worth finding the time.
There is also so much more food. I do not know about you, but I am tired of sitting in a restaurant, watching prices go up while portions shrink. I want to feel full after a meal, and nobody leaves a potluck hungry.
I also love that everyone contributes, so the host does not have to do everything. That is perfect for me because while I enjoy entertaining, I do not have the energy to make an entire meal for a group of people and then still be fun and social afterward. With a potluck, everyone brings something, the table fills up fast, and half the fun is seeing what people made and swapping recipes.
Potlucks used to be such a big part of getting together. They remind me of Christmas parties, neighborhood barbecues, church gatherings, and all those casual meals where nobody worried about making everything perfect. I am more than happy to sit around a table full of homemade food with people I love and laugh for hours. It is not really about the casserole. It is about the connection. Although, if there is cheese involved, I will admit it is a little bit about the casserole too.
These nights have become even more memorable than meeting at a restaurant. We can actually hear everyone at the table, we are not rushing through a reservation, and the whole evening feels more relaxed. So yes, I think it is time to bring back the potluck. Dust off the slow cooker and finally use that Pinterest board full of recipes you have been saving. I have seen firsthand that macaroni salad can bring people together, and a really good 7-layer dip can absolutely brighten someone’s day.
Katie lives in Maine with her three kids, two ducks, and a goldendoodle. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, at the gym, redecorating her home, or spending too much money online.
Inspired by this post on Scary Mom.
