Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Minauros 01-20-06, 12:46 PM	Sometimes we have pot luck dinners, sometimes everone brings their own. Sometimes we order pizza, and sometimes the host cooks for everyone. Sometimes we all get confused about what we're supposed to be doing that week and everything gets screwed up and nobody knows what to do. Do any of you clever folks out there have some intelligent way of solving this situation? It seems like it would be easy to just pick one thing and stick with it, but that never works out. Variety being the spice, and all that. (The wives tend to rebel if we do the same thing more than twice in a row.) What do you guys do?
Teydyn 01-20-06, 12:53 PM	This is what we do: Sometimes we have pot luck dinners, sometimes everone brings their own. Sometimes we order pizza, and sometimes the host cooks for everyone. Sometimes we all get confused about what we're supposed to be doing that week and everything gets screwed up and nobody knows what to do. Just so you know you arent alone =)
Serrin 01-20-06, 01:59 PM	Well, here's what us bums in college do: tell everyone we're playing D&D on a given night, walk 5 minutes to somewhere on campus, eat, converge on the host's location and play. On the plus side, it keeps things simple. On the other hand, this won't work for anyone else who doesn't live within walking distance of their entire playgroup. Here's my suggestion: Assuming everyone is properly wired (AIM, cell phones, whatever), get in the habit of getting in touch with everyone 2-3 hours before the game and note any variables, such as how to treat dinner. Maybe you guys are like clockwork, but I've found that in our sessions, there's ALWAYS something weird that I should advise everyone about before beginning. It'd take, like, 10 minutes of your time, if you divide it up properly.
EnochianCub 01-20-06, 02:13 PM	Well, i'm the Gm and a Chef, so I generally theme the meal I prepare for the session. The players pick up drinks and such so's as I only pay for the meal. However,my players get pissy at me puttin the money down for food and hijack my meal plans and cook for me instead. When that fails and I don't feel like cooking? We order in. As for scheduling, group e-mails during mid-week of the week we're playing usually avoids confusion.
crossbow 01-20-06, 02:52 PM	My wife and I typically cook for the group. For example, there is a lovely pot roast sitting in the crock pot at home, just cooking away right now, waiting for tonight’s pre-game meal. We do it not because we have to and not because we feel obligated to but because we honestly like to cook for people. It also brings the group together for that communal meal, just like their characters, which is nice. On the few nights that we are just too busy or just don’t feel like cooking, I e-mail everyone and let them know to pick up their own dinner before they arrive. So far it’s worked out pretty well for us. crossbow
Journeyman Samwise 01-20-06, 02:56 PM	I like having everyone throw in a few bucks and then swingin by the corner store. Some notable favorites are: 1) Sandwiches (can be consumed during play) 2) Ramen made with Cream of Chicken soup (oh so good kajffdjlgkreg) 3) Pizza bagels 4) frozen pizzas are good too
tarsia 01-20-06, 03:07 PM	We do either take-out - chinese, pizza, subs, etc... or We cook for the group - homemade pizza, turkey dinner, bar-b-que (in more temperate months anyway) or something. or One player's fiancee is also known to bring over meals for the rest of us - her version of cooking a meal, just not at her home. And then sometimes everyone brings their own. Usually it's not too much of a big deal figuring out what we're doing when - we get together twice a week (two different campaigns) - and we've got a semi-routine going on currently, and if we're not sure we call/chat people beforehand to let 'em know what's up. Usually we give a warning a few days ahead of time when we're planning on cooking for poeple, mainly so someone else can pick up a few of the 'extras' needed and to make sure we're not making something everyone hates.
fuzzypants 01-20-06, 03:17 PM	Back when there were only two players and a DM, we would rotate who hosted the game that week. Whoever was hosting provided food, either buying or cooking. It worked really nicely. Now, though, there are 4-5 of us at the table every weekend. I've been dubbed the group secretary because I take exhaustive session notes, so I typically organized food, time of play, transportation and so on. Lately, my DM has been sending out emails with what we're eating. That works for me because most of the players are passive and don't care, and it means I'm not being all controlling and ****-retentive. :) Sometimes we cook, sometimes we dine out. It varies from week to week. However, we do usually bring our own drinks, munchies and coffee.
Mike Lowder 01-20-06, 04:26 PM	Pizza..........It's what's for dinner. Good now & Good later. BYOD.
Radijs 01-20-06, 04:28 PM	Most of the time everyone has already eaten but on wenesdays when we play vampire everybody takes turns cooking. The one who cooks pays. This is okay because everyone takes his turn. Its fun because we all like cooking more or less and we constantly try new recipies on our friends. Next time I'm either going to make fresh ragour or some Chupaqueso's. http://www.chupaqueso.com/
DoctorRomulus 01-20-06, 04:41 PM	So ummmmm, lookin for any new players? :D My wife and I typically cook for the group. For example, there is a lovely pot roast sitting in the crock pot at home, just cooking away right now, waiting for tonight’s pre-game meal. We do it not because we have to and not because we feel obligated to but because we honestly like to cook for people. It also brings the group together for that communal meal, just like their characters, which is nice. On the few nights that we are just too busy or just don’t feel like cooking, I e-mail everyone and let them know to pick up their own dinner before they arrive. So far it’s worked out pretty well for us. crossbow
Herald@Large 01-20-06, 04:56 PM	Most of the groups I've played with over the years were composed of college students and non-cooking types. So the practice has generally been: 1. Everyone brings their own drinks (drink preferences vary so much!) in appropriate quantities. 2. Those who want munchies bring their own, in appropriate quantities. 3. Usually (but not always) those who are interested in ordering pizza will do so, agreeing on size and toppings and chipping in the appropriate cash. If you don't contribute to the purchase, you shouldn't expect to eat any (unless there's some left over that no one wants) 4. If you'd like some of somebody else's munchies or drinks, ask first, each and every time (saying yes once is not blanket permission forever and ever) 5. Those who bring munchies to share receive thanks. :bow:
Nom 01-20-06, 09:11 PM	If things aren't "standard", make sure you have spoken to (or e-mailed) everyone BEFORE the event and agreed on what is happening. If anyone messes up it's their problem, not yours - "You even replied to the e-mail and said 'OK'". If all of you are depending on one person and they have a habit of forgetting, remind them. The most important thing with food is whether you are going to eat before coming, stop to eat, or eat while playing. The first has the advantage that food doesn't get in the way, the second is most social and gives some "break time", and the third is more social than the first and doesn't stop game time like the second. If eating while playing, make sure it's something that won't get in the way or spill or grease up the playing area.
mydoom.b 01-20-06, 10:19 PM	Just have everybody bring their own faygo and funyuns, all will be well
Morbid 01-21-06, 01:29 AM	One of us usually has Cup Noodles of some sort to share with the group and we always have soda or tea or koolaid or any form of good drink. I wish I was in Fixxxers game. In another thread he said he's a chef and cooks for his group... :(
Halgar 01-21-06, 01:35 AM	Here is my group's long-standing tradition: We all meet and have lunch together at some restaurant. We usually stop off at a supermarket after lunch, to make sure that there's enough snacks and pop. Then it's gaming all day, and we split the cost of a Pizza at dinner time.
Minauros 01-21-06, 10:39 AM	This is exactly what I was looking for. You guys are wonderful! :) I think I'm cooking today, I do enjoy using the group as guinea pigs for new recipes. If they mind no one has admitted it yet. But it sounds like what most folks see as the solution to my problem is "communication" or some such folderol. I suppose I could try that. Thanks again. I am very interested in how people handle the non-playing aspects of gaming, since it's something we all deal with. My wife wants to build cubbies for everyone so they'll all have somewhere to deposit their junk when they show up, and it won't be all over the table. Any ideas here?
rbrt_Spade 01-21-06, 12:36 PM	Pringles, Pepsi, and Pizza is my choice foods. What I plan on doing is having the players walk into a tavern. Then the food the pcs eat the players eat. I thinking about a medvial food session.
TinManFan 01-21-06, 02:13 PM	My group is quite different in that most people come by right from work. So the "Eating before you get there" thing isn't gonna work. What happens is everyone else chips in 5-10 bucks, they go buy 50-75-100 wings and some Dew and pig out. However, I get home from work a good 3 hours before the game starts so I never chip in for the grub (But put in a few for some dew). On the weekends, I game w/ another friend. He always provides some oven cookin' Pizza, and the rest of us bring munchies and soda. I just thank god I don't host because I can only cook bodybuilder approved Chicken and mix up a whey 50g protien shake. Other than that, I'd be reduced to Hamburger Helpless and no one wants that.
pres_man 01-21-06, 04:10 PM	In my group people used to order pizza while we were gaming, and since we gamed in the basement, it was often difficult to hear the doorbell (with all of the excitement going on). As it was my house, I didn't not want to get a bad rep with the pizza folk. So we started having an hour of "hang-out" time before the game started. We often call it a "bar-b-que", but we actually rarely do that. Most often people bring the food they want to eat and microwave it, or occasionally they will toss something on the old George Foreman. Sometimes me and my wife will provide snacks for people, but it is generally understood that since we do this every week at the same place, I am not going to provide free meals to everybody all the time. Also some people have unusual dietary requirements/restrictions and so they can pick things they like and that they are able to eat and me as the host doesn't have to worry about it. Also I am a real "steak-and-potatoes" kind of guy, by that I mean I like "normal" food, not unusual stuff. Nothing makes me more cranky then visiting someone and not having anything to eat because it is all "weird", but I didn't feel like I could bring my own stuff. So you can do what we do, set up a time before the game starts for everybody to come over and hang out and eat. Make it clear that people should bring their own food (standard procedure), unless told otherwise (unique situations). If they happen to bring some food when they didn't have to, no harm done, put it in the fridge until they get ready to leave. You might get some cheap (off-brand) soda around of the flavors you like, just in case someone forgot a drink. Show everybody where the cooking stuff is (pans, etc.) and tell them you are responsible for cooking their own food. Though make a habit of walking through the kitchen on a regular basis just to make sure nobody has done something stupid (leave a burner on for example).
Rathis 01-21-06, 11:00 PM	I always thought it would be fun to integrate the food with the gaming session from time to time. IE The PC's stop off at an inn or tavern and discuss their plans/adventures/backgrounds during the real meal. Anyone have any suggestions of meals or even specific recipies that might be good for this? Some sort of stew and bread is simple and in character I suppose. Any other great ideas?
RK)13 01-21-06, 11:37 PM	For those people who cook for their groups, I have a request for you.... Please, Please, Please, for the love of Pelor, stay away from both chili and cabbage... the night could get unpleasant otherwise.
Chaos_Infidel 01-21-06, 11:44 PM	The groups I have played with in the past usually put in a few bucks each week at the host's house and with that money, the host will buy something for the next week (our host will even take orders). Hot pockets, frozen pizza, Spaghetti is always cheap and easy. The quality of the meal depends on how much the players chip in. Oh yeah and the host doesnt chip in cuz he makes the trip to the store and has the meal prepared when the party arrives at his/her home. Thats just how we do it.
geekling 01-22-06, 08:25 AM	Anyone have any suggestions of meals or even specific recipies that might be good for this? I'd be tempted to serve up consomme (or broth based vegetable soup), pease pudding (http://www.bobjude.co.uk/bobjude/recipes/pease.html), sour dough bread, plus a selection of cheese, smoked sausages, and pickles.
Darth K'Trava 01-22-06, 11:23 PM	On our Friday night games, we usually bring our own food or eat before coming. The Saturday games are usually more "trickier" because they're longer. Then there's the "discussion" (which usually takes about a half hour) of deciding food unless it's planned for the hosts to cook or grill outside (during the summer).