Halloween dinner on Saturday. Twelve people said yes, and so far the menu is candy corn and a vague promise of chili.
Saturday, 3pm. The house is clean, the playlist is ready, and someone just texted "can I bring my cousin?"
Guests arrive in ten minutes. The table's set, the candles are lit, and the oven timer just said forty more.
Two weeks before Thanksgiving: "I'll bring a side!" Two days before: four people are bringing mac and cheese and nobody's bringing the rolls.
Every Friday dinner starts as 'just a few people' and ends with someone borrowing the neighbor's chairs.
Every "I'll just bring something" is a tiny act of faith that nobody else is bringing the same thing.
That surprise dish you brought to a dinner party? Your host might wish you'd asked first. 🫠 foodandwine.com/dinner-party…


