For many people this isn't a problem - they perhaps have an old stand-by.  Some actually delight in it - my cousin is planning what to take to the Square Dance Festival today.  She's not sure what kind of sandwiches, but she will also bake squares for dessert.

But that's not me.  Tell me to make soup for a crowd, and I could handle it.  Or a sit down roast beef dinner for eight.  No problem.  But sandwiches, finger foods, sweets???

And then there is Seelerman!

I suggested a tray of crackers and cheese.   Veto - we don't want to look cheap.  I pointed out that cheese isn't cheap and most people (especially men) like cheese.  No, we (meaning me) have to make something.

I suggested a fruit tray or vegie tray - no, we have to make something.

So it will be sandwiches.  What kind?  

I suggested that we get some sandwich meat - roast beef; thin cheese slices, sandwich pickles.   No - not that.  Thats what you put in a lunch box.  (Funny, I took that to a seniors' party once and it was grabbed up.)  

So we will be taking egg-salad sandwiches - along with a whole lot of other people.  

We will pick up some cupcakes or squares at the bake shop.  We can't look cheap.

My standby is devilled eggs, Seeler

My standby is always a fruit tray. I must disagree with Seelerman on this one - -  I don't see any need at all to "make something" for these gatherings. 

Seeler, I want to add to my comment.  If i have time to make, then I make devilled eggs.

If i don't, then I often take a pickle tray  or a nice shrimp tray.

I've struggled with this too - what to take???????????   The last time it happened my partner was as difficult to please as seelerman.  After running through a bunch of ideas that were vetoed for various reasons I told him that it was HIS turn anyway.  He bought a box of crackers!

I've never been to something like this where I was asked to bring something.  I have done the following before that would work:

• Baguette & Bruschetta (I buy, you could make the latter)
• Fruit tray, cheese tray, mix - I disagree with Seelerman, these are usually popular, make a yogurty dip if you want to have something made
• Chips & Salsa (again feel free to make your own salsa, I usually don't).
• Chips & Guacamole (the only thing I have actually made when going elsewhere)
• 7 layer dip
• Veggie tray & dips including hummus - I would be really impressed if you made artichoke dip, I bought it once for a picnic and it was popular
• Stuffed olives with toothpicks

A favourite that I have never made is spinach dip.  Cookies & squares are also good too!  Oh, and at school events something I've enjoyed were wraps that are cut into about 2-3" pieces.  You can do something as simple as P&J but they look fancy, beans and salsa would be something different from the sandwiches.

I think I came up with so many ideas because I need to get breakfast!  lol

Once at the church ( when I was really busy, ) I took chips of different flavours in a big bowl. Not a sniff left. But Pinga,devilled eggs or pickles are standbys.

If I was invited I'd probably bring either jap chae or mandoo, either of which would have been cooked by my wife.

I would make a Surprise Spread (that's the name in the recipe book) and a variety of crackers.  The spread has a cream cheese and mayo base, then shrimp sauce, then a layer of finely chopped lettuce, tomato, green onions, then a layer of shredded cheese.  Tha's if I have time.

If I didn't have time, I would pick up some dainties from the store or take tacos and taco sauce.

My hubby wouldn't have any input at all, except if I was fussing he would say to keep it simple.

I've never done it myself but I had a friend who bought the sword shaped toothpicks, fresh basil, mozzarella and mini tomotos. Stab one end of a basil leaf, but a smal block of cheese on, stab through the tomoato, put through the other end of the basil. She put a bunch in a bowl and drizzled olive oil and a balsalmic vinegar. It was wonderful.

If I have enough warning I make buns.

If it's more on-the-fly I usually go for a deli tray of  cheese and meats

BethanyK - those are my FAVOURITE things!  Love them!  And they look so great too!

I really like the pickle tray idea - that would be terrific - must file that idea for next time!  I do love pickles, and usually have a bunch in the fridge, which I usually then forget to eat!!

I have an easy recipe for "pickled" pineapple - chunks, served on toothpicks - a surprise in the mouth!

Cheese and crackers, pickles, olives, salami (antipasti). Chips and salsa and/ or guacamole. Veggies and dip. Spinach dip in hollowed out sourdough with the hollowed out part cut into pieces for dipping. Those are the sorts of things I have taken- nothing too laborious and still tasty. Finger sandwiches or soft tortilla wraps cut into little pinwheels works too.

chocolate covered strawberries,
apples with marshmallow creme cheese dip

Last time it was my turn to bring snack for the school I brought  a hot-Epicure cheese dip-homemade but with Epicure seasonings and crackers and veggies to dip in it. It was a big hit.

It's my turn again next Friday-a thank you cake is arriving for a student teacher so I'll bring a fruit salad and(with a dressing).  Tell Seelrman if you put dressing on it -then it counts as homemade!

At the potlucks I go to, it often seems to be the case that someone will show up carrying a bucket of fried chicken.

Chicken fingers?

Ladyfingers (either the cookie or plant)?

or,

anything that can be eaten with the hands.

I would probably bring any of the above, but I used to love all those little sandwiches that were like pinwheels  or layered with creme cheese and such inside. The ladies at the church used to make them. Yum!

isn't it funny, waterfall.  I avoided those things as some kind of alien creation!

And I was always trying to figure out how I could get more without appearing a glutton, LOL!

I love them too waterfall especially the pinwheels  with asparagus and cheese, I think.

Honestly, I'd rather have cold cuts for sandwiches.  Wraps are also very nice.  Fruit and veggie trays are great.  I don't see the need to make anything; just buy it at the store ready made.

I will bring many of the things mentioned above.

I have also taken a plate of cold cuts, different types and a basket of rolls, cut and buttered.

I have taken mini meat balls and toothpicks

Several bottles of Perrier

Wine

I have also bought frozen squares, like Nanaimo bars, there are different kinds , and cut them into small pieces and put them on platter.

If you feel like baking, I find people love fresh cookies, chocolate chip or whatever. Lots of people don't bake anymore so the enjoy them

Mists you're speaking my language :)

We ended up boiling a dozen eggs and making sandwiches.  Seelerman chopped celery and onions.  I mixed the eggs with mustard and mayonaise, saving a few eggs to put a few deviled eggs around the tray of sandwiches.  We bought some bits sized lemon tarts.  Other people brought egg sandwiches (of course), salmon sandwiches, some biscuits with cream cheese, three shrimp rings, sausage rolls and probably some things I forgot.  For dessert we had a big carrot cake, some lemon squares, butter tarts.   

It was a nice lunch.  I still think that roast beef sandwiches would have been appreciated - but Seelerman did help.

I think because we buy so much that I really appreciate homemade anything