For not wanting to host christmas dinner for my friends?

Your friend clearly doesn't want to and that's fine. If they did want to and were worried about cost / clearing up, other options are invite everyone for a takeaway and make clear they're paying their own, ask everyone to bring a dish (in something disposable eg foil), or cook something cheap and one pot around Christmas time and say ita a Christmas get together but not Christmas food. Of course no one has to have a dinner party if they don't want to, but just say you don't want to, as if you make it about cost / clearing up then you'll get people suggesting solutions for those issues

As someone who hosts people at every occasion I think you need to cheer up. It’s as expensive as you want it to be. You can also do a potluck many of ours friends do that and it’s lots of fun. It’s a beautiful way to create memories in your home. Money is replaceable. Friendships aren’t.

Does anyone else feel like me, that at our age (70) its a lot of faff and a lot of waste to do the full on Xmas day lunch just for 2 of us. I love Turkey but after 3 days I dont want to see it again for a year. You do you OP and good luck and enjoy

You could always make it a potluck

Op i too find hosting tiring and expensive On the upside it motivates me to clean organize and decorate Chores im going to do anyways I usually get alot done because a party is motivating me @Raineys has good suggestions Since your friends are young and living with parents how about just bring your own drink and simple no cook chips dip pretzels veggies cheese and crackers Basic appetizers And for the one cheeky friend who doesnt cook prepare or purchase food ever …plates cups and napkins Hosting gets easier the more you do it

OP doesn’t want to host?

Don’t think it needs a president! May set a precedent though…

Your friend should tell this cheeky fucker man that it's polite to wait for an invitation!

If she wants to be less combative, she could just say she doesn't want to host this year and is having a quiet Christmas with just her partner.

No one owes their hospitality to other people. It's perfectly fine to do what she wants. If cheeky fucker man is capable of asking, he's capable of hearing the word no!

With a group of friends that I have, we take turns in hosting.

One person supplies the home, sets the table etc. and the other 7 bring a dish each.
1 will bring an appetiser, 1 a large salad, 3 will bring a main dish, 2 bring a desert each.

Simple dishes, easy to eat.
We call it a pot luck night.
We all bring alchol with us.

Great evening, great catch up, inexpensive.

THAT is how you should consider hosting in future.

YOU occasionally allow YOUR home to host if you wish and THEY organise food or pay for a delivery of food.

Be firm on exactly what you want to offer, if anything.

You are correct in that it is rude to invite yourself to someone else's house for a dinner party. It then clouds other considerations. You could probably work out the finances and work involved if you wanted to, and it was your idea to host. But it is all being undermined by the fundamental issue that someone has imposed on you and thoughtlessly put you in this position. The few Norwegian couples I have known over the years wouldn't take hosting lightly or even informally. They didn't do it often, but when they did they tended to make a real effort. So maybe the pan of pasta and everyone brings something isn't how you would do it and it wouldn't come easy to compromise. I think you are going to have to just say no, you don't want to do it but will have a meal out. Friends will understand.
And the 'don't want to corrupt my bank account' is a great way of putting it. Why should you suffer financially because of someone suggesting something you are not comfortable with.

Just say no it doesn't suit you, or simply don't answer it.
Laugh at him if he mentions it again.
He's a cheeky fxxker.

Get used to saying no.
You prefer to go out.
That person is just a user wanting a free space.

Nice people, real friends, do not invite themselves over to your home.

Say NO and be very firm with them.
See them in a neutral venue.

Don’t overthink. Just don’t mention it again. It’s not like you (well, your friend) has actually invited people and now needs to retract. Unless I’m misreading, all that’s really happened is, one cheeky friend has said “when are you inviting us round for Christmas food?” and no real response has been given. It just doesn’t need to be mentioned again. You’ve not actually invited people, not set a date, just don’t mention it.

@Railou It's so cheeky isn't it? They're always the kind of people that would have a very different opinion should anybody dare do that to them. It's all very well to say "if I had a house I would do X,Y & Z", when you're the one going to everybody else's. It must be lovely to live in a hypothetical world at everybody else's expense 😂

The guy who wants the dinner party can host and ask other people to pay! Your friend should just tell him no, it’s what my partner and I do together.

P.S Asian / halal butchers do lamb ribs more reasonably priced.

They are not a standard cut in standard butchers except as an expensive rack.

Very pushy. They can host their own! Oh no, they'd have to do all the work . call them out on it

See, I think it is fun and relaxed to socialise at home, and CAN work out cheaper per head, especially as you bring your own wine.

So if I fancied a fun night in with friends I would say to your friend who suggested this “ lovely! You bring the «pinnekjøtt» ready cooked, we will provide a dessert, and we can all bring wine”

Most grown ups manage the washing ip for a party a few times a year.

But it is completely up to you.

You need to forget about the lamb ribs as they are very expensive.

Perhaps do "Nissegröt" and herring 😀

I used to host my friends at my parents' (they went out) so I think it's just an excuse as they want an easy way out. It's so easy to want to come over to yours while you do all the work and most likely pay for the most. Just tell them you won't be hosting any parties at yours but you are up for meeting in a restaurant for a pre Xmas meal.