6 Things to Never Bring to a Holiday Party—and What to Take Instead Make the best impression with these host-approved swaps. Close Credit: Getty Images There is a surprising amount of nuance to deciding what to bring to a holiday party. You don’t want your beloved peppermint brownies to blend in with every other sweet on the table; nor do you want the potato dish you labored over for hours to become a gloopy, unappetizing mess after sitting out. It can sometimes feel like guessing game—so feel free to ask the host some guiding questions. These may be if they're prefer an additional appetizer, salad, or dessert, or if they want you to pick up anything last minute, like ice or bottled water. When in doubt, bring flowers and a positive attitude—and definitely not anything on this list. What Holiday Cookie Are You? 01 of 06 Difficult-to-Eat Dishes Credit: Getty Images Sure, the edible Christmas tree drizzled in fondue and edible glitter may look beautiful—but is it going to leave crumbs and cheese drizzles all over your host’s counter and floor? Probably. Aim for a low-mess, high-enjoyment treat to bring—and not something that will have hosts resenting the contribution. Moreover, ensure your dish is easy to serve and eat. If it's a cocktail-style holiday party with limited seating, something that requires two hands and a knife and fork to eat might deter guests. Stick to something that can be easily consumed while standing. What to Take Instead: Gouda Puff-Pastry Bites These sweet-and-savory appetizers take just 15 minutes to prepare, look far more impressive than their short prep time, and are the perfect bite size for cocktail events. 02 of 06 Infused Treats While THC and CBD are legal in many states and have become a popular way to infuse both celebratory and relaxing sweets, not all hosts will want these products in their home. Unless specifically asked, stay away from the magic cookies for the holiday gathering. No one wants to be liable for everyone getting home safely or responsible for an uncomfortable vibe. What to Take Instead: Rum Balls If the host's household imbibes and you still want to serve up an infused treat, Martha's rum balls are a holiday must. 03 of 06 Allergens Credit: Getty Images If your planned dish or gift contains common allergens like nuts, gluten, dairy, seafood, or soy, be sure to ask the host if this is permitted in their household. You may not be aware of a newly developed allergy, cross-contamination risks, or of a guest with a life-threatening intolerance. If allowed, you should still label it, listing any possible allergens and politely remind the host when you arrive. (They may need to alert other guests.) What to Take Instead: Poached Pears If you're bringing dessert and there are vegans on the guest list, give them an additional option. Top off these pretty poached pears with a dollop of dairy-free ice cream so as many as possible get to enjoy them. 04 of 06 Dishes That Require Reheating Unless you’ve checked about oven space before the event (which, could be an inconvenient request unless absolutely necessary), bring something that's ready to serve—no extra prep, required. If your dish needs a quick zap in the microwave or is served in a plug-in slow cooker, that’s fine—but don’t expect a host to be able to accommodate your reverse-seared meats on their already crowded cooktop. What to Take Instead: Savory Crepe Rollups Decked out in Christmas colors, these simple-to-make roll-ups can be prepared a day ahead and served straight from the fridge. 9 Things You Should Never (Ever) Say to a Guest—Even If You Mean Well 05 of 06 Strongly Scented Foods Credit: Getty Images Sure, your family’s pickled herring recipe may be a holiday tradition, but not everyone wants their gathering to smell like preserved fish—and that’s okay. Fragrant, luxury ingredients like truffles or raclette have a time and place, and, while they may fit the celebratory nature of the holidays, you may want to save them for serving in your own space. What to Take Instead: Vegan Apple Pie Scents like warm vanilla and cinnamon are universally pleasing, especially this time of year. Look for recipes that spotlight these nostalgic scents of the season, like a classic—and vegan!—apple pie. 06 of 06 Cooking Experiments The holidays are a great time to make a festive new recipe—but, if you're working with niche ingredients or techniques and tools you’re relatively unfamiliar with, bringing that new cooking project to an event is risky. If you haven’t made the dish or something similar before, save it for an at-home gathering. You don’t want the host to feel obligated to dig into an inedible (but well-intentioned) dish so as not to offend you. What to Take Instead: Martha's Favorite Cookies Opt for a tried-and-true recipe or a favorite of your family's. Need some inspiration? Martha's most popular Christmas cookies never fail to delight! Explore more: Holiday Planning & Ideas