Holiday party season is upon us, and with it comes the eternal question: “What can I bring?” When your host assigns you a dish or says, “just yourself,” the path is clear.

But beware the occasional outlier — like the woman who wrote to Miss Manners after being asked to provide six bottles of wine and multiple containers of ice cream, only to discover at the party other guests had contributed cookies or coleslaw. Her $150 contribution surely left a bitter taste.

While potlucks create a wonderful communal experience, we typically suggest guests bring appetizers or desserts to maintain menu coherence.

Wine gifts require strategic thinking. Is your bottle meant for immediate pouring or future enjoyment? After numerous misunderstandings, we’ve adopted a two-bottle approach — an affordable op

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