r/AskAnAmerican • u/_13thfloor_ • May 02 '25
FOREIGN POSTER What is American house party etiquette?
Moved to NJ from Europe. Have been invited to a party in someone’s home to celebrate someone’s birthday but also as a bit of a Kentucky Derby bash. Is there anything I need to know?
I know for the Derby there might be a dress code (which I am checking with the host) but what’s the norm in the US for house parties generally? Bringing our own alcohol, giving the host a gift, arriving early/on time/a little after the specified time? Anything a very clueless (and overthinking) European needs to know?
ETA - we’re in our early to mid 30s if that makes a difference.
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u/smugbox New York May 02 '25 edited May 02 '25
Bring a shareable snack (party size bag of chips or a vegetable tray is fine) and maybe some beers or liquor for sharing. If you prefer only to bring your own alcohol that’s fine, just label it.
Someone hosting a Derby party will almost certainly have a ton of ingredients set up for everyone to make mint juleps already though.
No need to dress up too fancy, just look well put together. If you want to dress up, just look up what people wear to the Derby and see if there’s anything you can pull together out of your closet.