We host ever so often and I will ring up the guest wives and tell them exactly what to bring. Salad, Desert, Drinks, Savory snacks. That way you don't get 5 starches and no veggies Or for BBQ you then have to bbq, so that you don't do chicken, fish, steak and pork on one grill!!

If it's clients, I prepare the whole meal myself.

If we go to guests, and the hostess says I don't have to bring anything. I drag along some savory snacks, our own drinks and something homebaked as a gift. I will then take my drinks home (if it's alcohol, not if it's soda) but leave the savory snacks. If I'm asked to bring something like a salad I do that and don't expect to take anything home. I then also take a gift for the hostess .. a small potted plant, flowers, choclates, biscuts, homemade jams ... anything nice.