If not asked to bring anything to a party, I would very likely bring something to drink (bottle of wine, or more likely a six-pack). If I’m specifically tasked with bringing snacks, you’re very likely only getting the snacks.
I’m an American and snacks to me are most anything that you can eat with your hands and don’t require a plate. So chips, vegetables, cookies, whatever.
Is there a backstory to the original question?
I think this fits in a bitttt better in CS.
Just did this two weeks ago at my brother’s house - we brought spinach dip and bread cubes, salsa, guacamole, and Doritos, and potato chips and french onion dip. And we brought beer but that’s because we bring beer everywhere.
You know, I wondered the same thing myself, recently.
As for me, this stuff…
And as other have said, also veggies with dip or hummus, or easy-to-eat fruit like apple slices, grapes, and berries. But probably no biscuits (cookies) or lollies (candy) from me, because in my mind, those are more like “dessert” or “treats”. If the host wanted those, I’d expect them to say, “I’ve got snacks and drinks covered - why don’t you bring something sweet?” I’m in the US, and I’m 38.
I usually stop at Chikfila and grab a hundred nuggets.
Florida
Generally, with my set of friends and my foodie habits, it’d be bruschetta, antipasti, meze, tapas or canapés, depending on various factors (Is there a main meal and what is it?Who’ll be there? How much effort do I want to go to? What does the deli have?), and a bottle of easy-drinking wine that complements the food.
BYOB isn’t specified in the UK because it’s assumed everyone knows to bring booze, if only as a gift for the host.
Yeah, most of us would see it as a giant “fuck you!” to the host to turn up without some kind of booze. Last time we had people round I specified not to bring anything, including drinks, as we had plenty, and wasn’t in the least surprised when everyone brought some anyway.
If every time someone came to my house they brought booze, I’d stop inviting people to my house.
The “somewhere” to which I’ve been invited would be a big key factor. Dinner party vs. backyard BBQ vs. poker night vs. 8-year-olds’ dance recital.
I agree with the general themes but it would vary from buying bags of chips at Safeway to doing something a bit more involved.
Absolutely. There are huge class issues at play here: homemade hummus and pita for one type of party, Rotel dip and tortilla chips at another.
Yes, but we’re British. If we didn’t drink at social events we wouldn’t actually speak to each other, just sit there in polite silence till it was time to go home.
A particularly extrovert soul might comment on the weather.
Tortilla Chips and guacamole, pita and hummus, that sort of thing is fine for me. US, 38.
As for the “bring your own booze” thing: when I hold a party, I always have enough booze for everyone, and I assume I’m responsible for it. That said, most guests will bring a bottle or six-pack or case of something. If you bring a snack AND booze, I think you’ve gone far beyond the call. Showing up is all I ask for. Bringing booze or snacks is a bonus (as I expect to be responsible for both.) Bringing both is awesome.
I’m 44 and am in the US.
To me snacks means something easy to eat with no utensils required. One bite is best. I don’t have a single answer. It depends on the occasion. If the invitation said snacks and didn’t mention desserts I’d probably choose something savory rather than sweet. And I wouldn’t take anything that required cooking time in the host’s home.
I’m partial to food on sticks so I’ll often opt for something on a skewer; totellini, fruit, shrimp, salami and cheese.
Huh? I’ve had parties at my house where it’s been rotel dip and tortillas and Ruffles and French onion dip from the store (football game watching) and others where we’ve made fresh green guacamole, queso, and a bunch of other nifty party things (sort of dinner party/housewarming)
It’s more a matter of what kind of party, not the class of the people throwing the party.
I knew a guy who used to buy 2-3 Subway footlongs or the equivalent, and cut them into 2" servings.
Yep. I was discussing with my girlfriend if snacks only included salty treats like potato chips etc. or if sweets like chocolate is included.
We are currently on vacation in Denmark and saw two shelves in a store. Snacks was one and sweet stuff was another. Only salty stuff in the snacks shelf.
Also, everyone brings alcohol here, because it’s so expensive.
30, Norway
What do YOU mean by 'snacks?"
I’m not the only one thinking it, right? 
I’d bring some chips or a veggie and dip tray, probably.
The ‘bringing booze’ question is another interesting one; here in Western Canada, I would expect the hosts to supply the booze, but we would also probably bring a token bottle of something (or a six-pack of beer) as well.
ETA: Sorry, forgot my age - 46.
If that’s the question then yes, for a party “snack” would tend to be something on the salty end of things. But if it is something where “snacks” will likely comprise the entire set of food offerings (such as the 8-year-olds’ dance recital) then that opens up a bit to begin including sweets. But definitely not hot, something that can be eaten in small quantities without utensils.
However, if I say “snack” simply to mean “something I’m eating between meals” that is much broader. Might be chips, could be a Twinkie (not really, those are gross), might be a little bit of ice cream, or a Hot Pocket.
The way my wife and I have configured things, we are not likely to be invited to any gatherings where people say “snacks”. Does that sound snooty? Well, I suppose it is, except it’s Wisconsin snooty, which, you know, means the good cheddar.
There’s one group of friends where we do displaced holidays - Thanksgiving, XMas, New Years with people who aren’t doing it with family. There’s another group of friends and neighbors who are involved in things like local art gallery openings and garden viewings (again, Wisconsin snooty). It works out that we bring the same types of “Horse Devores” to both groups.
Which typically consist of a nice Two Buck Chuck or other offering from Trader Joe’s (their $20 21-yr old single malt if we’re feeling special), or a six-pack of something from the New Glarus brewery. And for food, usually some “fancy” crackers and either cheese torte from the TJ deli or some olive tapenade. This all goes over well.
Other people bring similar, or chips and homemade dip, or sometimes lovely family recipe stuff like Swedish meatballs or horseradish-infused deviled eggs.
Natural tortilla chips, corn and black bean salsa, homemade guacamole, cheeseball, whole wheat crackers, fresh fruit
35, US