Among Friends

[BeautyLver]

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.😊

[hkrgrl]

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

[wilma]

We always share leftovers at family get togethers.

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

[San Antonio Gal]

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

[San Antonio Gal]

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@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.  

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

[shoekitty]

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. 

[Jo1313]

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

[BlueFinch]

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

[Imaoldhippie]

I was taught to always offer left overs.

[JeanLouiseFinch]

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.