topic Re: Left overs... in Among Friends

Left overs...

bargainsgirl — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:31:24 GMT

When you are the host do you offer left overs to your guests? How would you respond if someone asks but you were not intending to "share"?

Re: Left overs...

Caaareful Shopper — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:41:52 GMT

Interesting question.

I always offer leftovers. I don't mind at all if offering means I don't have leftovers for myself. To me that means I did a great job on the dinner menu, and everyone enjoyed it.

If I was ever intending not to share something that was served, I would never host in the first place.

Re: Left overs...

wagirl — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:41:57 GMT

With my family, we are told to bring leftover containers--there is sooo much food that refusing anyone leftovers does not exist and if there was something that was not intended for extra, I would have taken that amount out before serving,if that was an option.

Re: Left overs...

Carmie — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:51:22 GMT

I always offer to share leftovers with guests. Sometimes I make more of something so I have my own leftovers later.

When I do this, I place my leftovers in a container and refrigerate them before I serve my guests.

I made two pots of wedding soup for yesterday. I served one to my guests and the other is already in the freezer. I also froze cookies and refrigerated some prime rib that was cut and put in a container while I was cutting the meat for the platter to serve my guests.

I have never had any issues doing this. My guests are unaware.

Re: Left overs...

qualitygal — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 15:54:59 GMT

First, yes I do offer

Secondly, if I have made plans for a leftover and someone asks, I just smile and politely say, oh, so sorry, I already have plans for those. That's it. No big deal.

Re: Left overs...

Skyegirl21 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 16:01:25 GMT

If I was a host and not wanting to share- I would politely say, " ya know I need to hang on to the leftovers since not cooking tomorrow... "... something to that effect.

Honestly, I think it's overstepping for a guest to "ask" for leftovers, unless the host offers. Its not appropriate and as a guest, I would NEVER ask for food unless it's offered first .

Re: Left overs...

lynnie61 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:05:17 GMT

Yes, I offer leftovers. Anything I make or purchase, I could make or get again. I would NEVER ask, unless offered. Most times, it's usually just family, so we always share.

Re: Left overs...

QVCkitty1 — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:07:44 GMT

@Skyegirl21 wrote:
If I was a host and not wanting to share- I would politely say, " ya know I need to hang on to the leftovers since not cooking tomorrow... "... something to that effect.
Honestly, I think it's overstepping for a guest to "ask" for leftovers, unless the host offers. Its not appropriate and as a guest, I would NEVER ask for food unless it's offered first .

@Skyegirl21, Yes, if it's not offered that should be a clue to not ask.

Re: Left overs...

ValuSkr — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:11:41 GMT

To me, it's rude to request leftovers. Certainly the host would offer them if he/she wanted to get rid of some.

Re: Left overs...

cindyNC — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 17:11:53 GMT

The BF's son/family used to take as many leftovers as they could home with them when they lived 3 hours away. Now they live 6 hours away.

We had leftover veggies from the veggie tray, leftover pepproni, cheese and chicken wings.

I used up the veggies as roasted veggies for the BF and I for our holiday dinner. He ate the chicken wing, I ate some of the pepproni, the dog got some of the cheese cut up on his food.

Re: Left overs...

BeautyLver — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:24:52 GMT

We would have had a TON of leftovers from both Christmas Eve, last night on Christmas. I love when others request to take food home. I always make sure to state anyone who wishes to take food home is more than welcome. I want people to enjoy, not just in the moment now but a day or two later if they choose. As a result, much went out the door. Everyone's happy.😊

Re: Left overs...

hkrgrl — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 18:31:04 GMT

i think its in poor taste for invited guests to ask for leftovers.

if i am hosting and i want some leftovers for dinner the next day, i pack up what i want and leave the rest for others.

if asked, i would still pack up mine first and then they can 'have at it'.

i would never ask, such poor manners, imo.

Love me, Love my Dog

AdoptDon'tShop

Re: Left overs...

wilma — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:49:09 GMT

We always share leftovers at family get togethers.

I would not ask or expect leftovers at any other event or party.

Re: Left overs...

San Antonio Gal — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 19:55:16 GMT

If someone wanted to take home leftovers, I would be happy to give them some. I would never say no.

Re: Left overs...

San Antonio Gal — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 20:07:52 GMT

@Caaareful Shopper wrote:
Interesting question.

I always offer leftovers. I don't mind at all if offering means I don't have leftovers for myself. To me that means I did a great job on the dinner menu, and everyone enjoyed it.

If I was ever intending not to share something that was served, I would never host in the first place.

@Caaareful Shopper - Best answer on this thread - imo.

Re: Left overs...

shoekitty — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:07:34 GMT

always offer, in fact we always had so much left over...I pushed. Gramma Red the food pusher. That's my name. I havent hosted last couple years...but our family always offers.

Re: Left overs...

Jo1313 — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 00:15:44 GMT

Before retiring and moving away...I used to cook double of everything just I could send everyone home with a shopping bag of leftovers..

Now when my kids visit..I told them to bring their own containers if they wanted food to go..I was tired of losing my containers..They never forget..LOL

Re: Left overs...

BlueFinch — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 01:03:45 GMT

In the past, anytime I entertained, I made it all about the guests. Family, friends and neighbors. So, I was always happy if they enjoyed the meal enough to ask for leftovers.

Of course, this is for a more casual dinner party. Not something a bit more formal, where it would be clearly inappropriate for guests to expect to take home expensive leftovers (after a grand meal), unless the host offered. I think it depends a lot on the setting and the meal itself. JMHO

Re: Left overs...

Imaoldhippie — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:37:46 GMT

I was taught to always offer left overs.

Re: Left overs...

JeanLouiseFinch — Sat, 27 Dec 2025 15:37:48 GMT

When I'm hosting any kind of get together, especially if it's a big dinner, I intentionally overcook and buy assorted to go containers to have them at the ready. All the guest are welcome to help themselves to anything that's left but they have to package it themselves.

While I do feel it's impolite for a guest to make assumptions and ask without being offered, if they did ask I'd give them what they asked for. It's the host's job, IMO, to be gracious to their guests. The host can remake the gifted food another time.