Depends on how far I am travelling. If it's more than 500 miles I send ahead a box of Maytag blue and other assorted cheeses, if It's just a couple of hours by car down the road, I will take some cheese and usually a casserole of scalloped oysters ready to go into the oven and maybe a pie of 2.
Linda c

I think it's always best when dining at someone else's table to ask what I can bring. If they say nothing, I insist...if they insist back, I tell them to call me if they run into any "ohmygosh, I forgot to buy some_______"situations and I'll pick it up on my way.

And then I bring a food item that can either be served or saved for another time, letting them know that I will not be dismayed should they decide to enjoy them later. Home canned goods, long shelf life cookies such as shortbread, fancy crackers and good cheese etc.

Generally I contribute a bottle of wine/booze/cider, whatever is appropriate to my host's tastes as well.

An event billed as a potluck, of course, is different. I just don't like to disrupt any carefully planned menu with unexpected dishes.

What ever your bring, let it be "ready to serve" and not need refrigeration or oven/stove space. Sorry Linda, I bet your oysters are delish, but if I dont have them on the schedule for the oven well before the plan for the day is done, there is no way I am re-arranging the oven schedule/space on the fly.

Pickles, olives, cheeses and crackers or bread would be great. I know you have some super jams, eetc you could bring those with a pound cake to add to the dessert table....

or bring some of that mulling wine - you gave me a bottle a couple of years ago and it was super delish!!!!

Alexa

I have a couple recipes for savory shortbread-type cookies that have always been well received as gifts. (They are not really kiddo cookies so if there will be children I think another recipe would be more appropriate.) I wrap one cookie for each guest & place in one of those small candy boxes from the craft store & tie with raffia. That way, I bring everybody a token something homemade to eat but don't interfer with my host/hostess' meal plans. People can easily take their boxed cookie home.

/tricia

Should have also said that I use Brown Bag Cookie molds for the shortbread-type cookies so they are fairly substantial in size. The molds certainly are not necessary though, you could easily either just cut squares, triangles, or use a biscuit cutter.

/t

My oysters are on the schedule....as would be the pie....
Not necessarilky the cheese though.
No never bring a "surprise addition to the meal".
If you haven't been given an assignment or haven't asked if it's OK to bring whatever....a couple of bottles of wine are best.

We'll be there for the whole weekend and at least the day before. That's why I want to bring food, since it's quite something to feed a crew for a whole weekend. Mostly oldsters, and I mean REALLY old, my 'rents are in their 80's and my uncle is 89. His wife is 70ish. My cousin and her grown kids and their babies might show up. Anyway, I was just asking about holiday travel foods in general, not my specific case. Unfortuantely, that mulled wine, my "go to" hostess gift, is out since the oldsters can't drink I think due to medications. Last year I brought what I thought was the perfect hostess gift--wine to a family of winos. But they had so much wine already they never opened mine. Farm fresh apples and cider were appreciated though. I'll bring that this time, and probably some homeade bread and jam. Shortbread savory cookies would be a good thing to have on hand over the weekend but I can't eat them and dad and his brother both have cholesterol issues. Perfect for my diabetic mom though! :)

Oh yeah, and I have to deal with my dad, the pickiest eater on the planet. Maybe some spiced mixed nuts, that might be good. Anyway, what foodie gifts do you like?? I made apricot thyme liqueur this year thinking it would be good for gifts but it just isn't good. I used unsulfered apricots and cheapo brandy and it just tastes like cough syrup.

Here is a link that might be useful: Eating Well Healthy Homeade Gifts for the Holidays

L,
Think about all of the "other" meals. When fridge space is at a premium preparing for the T-day meal, it's tough to plan for the others.

Breakfast:
Crockpot breakfast burritos (carni or veggie).
Fruit and healthier muffins.
Scones
Extras like good coffee, hot cocoa, teas.

Lunch:
Tortilla wraps
Pita sandwiches
Any number of olives, pickles, fresh vegetables, mild salsa and chips.

For some reason, it seems like all the older folks I know love sweets! Maybe look for some recipes for reduced sugar sweet stuff.

Ultimately, though......when I'm 85 and I want something sweet........just let me have it!! LOL

Mostly just have fun!

Deanna

Looks like your aunt is going to have a houseful this Thanksgiving.

Once you are there, why not plan on going to the grocery store to fill in any gaps and get food to help out with other meals. By then you'll know how many need to be fed and what your aunt has on hand. You can even lay claim to a few meals during the weekend, which would give your aunt a much needed break.

Have a good Thanksgiving

Elderly people lose their sense of taste even more so as they age as I've discovered cooking at an assisted living facility but for some reason they can still taste sweet.

If your hostess has the meal covered, I'd suggest bringing breakfast food for the next day. Cinnamon rolls, pumpkin bread pudding, assorted coffee cakes, assorted breads, cream cheese and bagels, melons, apples, grapes. For the most part, it shouldn't need refrigeration as that space is going to be hard to come by till after the meal

Here is a link that might be useful: Pumpkin cinnamon Rolls with brown sugar glaze