As a guest to a cookout, what should I bring?

Organic grape juice is delicious diluted and a safe gift. Also a small whole watermelon, or a huge bowl of fresh berries.

I wish you a happy first meeting. How exciting. How nervous making.

How exciting. Do you all live in the same part of the country? If not maybe bring something representative from your neck of the woods.

How many people are in attendance? Do you want to bring a dish for everyone? Or, a gift for the person hosting?

Fresh cut flowers and/or a dessert.

Just take your acceptance and your sweet smile. You are the gift.

This is all you will ever need.

You come first and they are waiting for you, not a gift.

A bundle of flowers.
Fresh ripe peaches if you can find them, a big box or bag.
Fresh ripe cherries, a couple of big bags.

Wow, exciting! Literally a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

Another vote for flowers.

A big bouquet of sunflowers.

A large salad (perhaps potato or pasta) that you have made.

This party I threw a few weeks ago, I didn’t want anyone to bring anything. Anyway, a few people brought some dip and chips and they were a big hit. One was a salsa type thing with beans and corn, and the other was a sour cream based dip with a little bit of hot in it.

My typical offering in cases like this is homemade hummus (one with jalapeños, and one without – and maybe paprika on top of the “without” so that people know the difference), and small pita breads for dipping. It always goes over well, is suitable for vegetarians, and hearty enough for any eater – and it’s not going to go bad quickly in heat, either.

Have you been asked to bring anything? Is it a potluck? Because showing up with food if the host(s) is providing everything might not go over all that well. And are you the guest of honor; is the purpose of the cookout for you to meet everyone? Your family members might really enjoy seeing pictures of you as a kid and as the adult they are only just meeting now. I don’t know your situation but I would bring pictures hoping that someone would want to see them but carry them around in my purse until someone showed and interest in what I/it was like growing up. Other than that, maybe some flowers if you weren’t asked to bring food.

@lillycoyote I agree with you, but the OP seemed sure she would not feel good unless she brought some food. I just went through this with a party I hosted, seems some people insist on bringing food. I am not used to it, and I find it difficult to handle as the host. The photos are a great idea.

No, I’m not the reason for the cookout, I never said I was the guest of honor – somehow it came to this. >.>

I will definitely take pictures with me…great idea!

Have you called the host and asked?

No, because we haven’t met yet. I don’t have contact information. I was just invited to come along because “they want to meet you”.

Take along the stuff needed to make kick the can ice cream. There are several variations online, so pick one you like and have fun.

Home made pie or cookies and brownies always go over well. You can wrap them up in a foil container with some of that red cellophane wrapping and a bow. That way, it is clear that the item is a gift rather than just a random item that you brought for a potluck. Then the hostess can either open it right then, or open it later.

At my family’s parties, everyone always brings something, even if it’s not specifically a potluck and everybody is happy with that arrangement.

But like @Jleslie said, she and her family do not have that same tradition, so if you wrap up the pie as a gift, the hostess can make that determination as to whether to put it out on the table for the whole group, or to take it home, as her gift and eat it later.

But flowers are also, always welcome.

Baked goods such as cookies or brownies. They xan serve them or save them for another time.

A pair of glasses & a smile…..hooray for Har…....
Some wine would be nice too ;¬}

Case of beer and a pack of smokes.

@Only138 Carton of smokes, you don’t wanna be selfish!

I’d take something that will be ready to serve if it’s wanted on the table and easy to put away if it isn’t. To me that would probably mean a generous portion of fresh fruit that’s a ready-made finger food—seedless red grapes (washed and snipped into small bunches) or cherries, for example, in a leave-behind foil or plastic container.

Homemade cookies, guacamole, or potato salad.
Really, pick something you make well, and shows your inner spirit. They want to get to know you. Introduce yourself with yourself. Don’t bring something you can’t make.

@jaytkay Ok, a carton. What the hell. LOL

I don’t think you have to cook, if cooking is not your thing. Buying your favorite chocolate cake or CC bit cookies and sharing them with your family is just fine.

Now that I’ve read the comments I’m voting for a plate of homemade cookies and the photos; if you don’t feel comfortable showing up empty handed . If you don’t bake then just make something like the toll house cookies that come in the wrapped roll that you slice, place and bake. Showing up with a big bowl of potato salad if the host isn’t expecting anyone to bring anything and no one else brings anything might be a little awkward. The cookies are a nice gesture and will be something in hand if a lot of other people do bring something too; and the photos will allow the people who are interested in you and not all the other stuff to catch up with you and go “Oh my gosh! You look just like your mother, grandmother, my daughter Mary, your cousin Susie when she was that age!”