What to put on a sign-up sheet

A good sign-up sheet answers every question before anyone has to ask. Whether it is on paper or online, these are the details worth including.

The event details

Clear, specific items

Vague items lead to duplicates. "Green salad for 10" gets better results than "something healthy."

A limit for each item

Say how many people you need for each item. Once a spot is filled, the next person can see that and choose something else.

Space for the details

A line for what someone is actually bringing stops two similar dishes from turning up. Include a space for allergy notes, too.

Jobs as well as food

Setup, cleanup and supplies are easy to miss. List them as items, so people who can't cook can still help.

A deadline and a reminder

Give people a date to sign up by. A reminder close to that date, with a list of what is still needed, helps fill the gaps.

What to leave off

Only ask for what you need. Anyone with access to the sheet may see it, so leave off home addresses, phone numbers, health details and anything else private.

Ready to plan yours?

Start with a ready-made list, then share one link. Guests don't need an account.

Start a sign-up sheet

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