Is this enough food? Or do people expect a cooked dinner

I’d probably bung some ‘naice’ hotdog sausages in the slow cooker and provide some rolls and sauces so people can help themselves if they feel the need. Have a lovely birthday!

It’s absolutely fine, but maybe have it a bit later (8/8:30) if you’ve had lunch out. Lots of crisps and bread to bulk it out if need be,

😂😂😂 at the scrambled egg and omelette suggestions.

I can't understand people saying they will be starving by 7pm after a 3 course lunch?! Surely at Christmas for example you don't have 2 dinners? I think buffet style would be fine in the evening like you have said.

Get loads of crisps.

Then if they don't get eaten you're set for the next few weeks.

Your suggested buffet is fine, as long as there is plenty of bread. Baguettes to go with the charcuterie/ cheese.

And personally I would rather have nice cheese, charcuterie , olives etc with nice bread than pizza. Or takeaway type stuff.

I just read this out to my husband, love it.

Fine for the evening but possibly depends how late people end up staying and drinking until. I’d buy some cheap frozen pizzas that can be stuck in the oven if people are still awake and drinking at 2am and need stodge.

That is true, only the op can really guess how much her friends are likely to eat. We have one group of friends who would just want a cuppa and some birthday cake, (although they would be going home to bed much earlier than the first post suggested) and a different group of friends who would easily polish off a huge bowl of chilli and still have room for a bacon sandwich an hour later.

I think your plan sounds good, but I would get some fresh supermarket pizzas and garlic bread as well. They can be popped in the oven if needed and if they don't get eaten you can just freeze them.

@DustyDood I really fancy a parsnip and anchovy omelette now! 😋

😂😂😂😂😂

I'm hungry, bye everyone

What about a gigantic apple pie and a gigantic spanakopita

I've found since I have turned 40 I can't eat like I could in my 20s and my friends seem the same. Not sure of the age of OP of course, I did just assume, tbf!

I love a good curry, add in some samosa or pakoras and it would be a treat for me.
I mean if we're actually talking celebratory then I would want a whole table of nothing but delicious desserts and a prosecco fountain at the end. 😂

Scrambled eggs is a good shout but I prefer to set up my famous 'Omelette Station' after a night revelling.

Allow around half a dozen eggs per person and you can beat them the night before and keep is a massive bowl in the fridge to save prep on the big night. Have a selection of fillings - ham, cheese, anchovies, parsnips etc. Again, finely grate these ahead of time to make it easier once the booze is flowing.
Pro tip: get every herb and spice jar off your rack, take a big breakfast bowl and do 5-10 shakes of each jar into the bowl, stir gregariously to create an instant and tasty herb and spice mix to pep up even just a 'plain egger' omelette. Again can be made in advance and stored in a cupboard or on a shelf until needed.

If possible, rope your hubby in to be Chef d'Omelette on the night, to save you having to cook and possible disasters if inebriated. I got my hubby a custom made apron with a picture I photoshopped of Kanye West sat on a giant egg holding a whisk in place of a microphone with a speech bubble saying "Taylor, ome-lette you finish..." Guaranteed laffs. But it's your choice, just remember it's all about having fun!

Are you Gen Z? What about chickpea flour scramble? Or battered banana flowers?

Well posh doesn't always mean plentiful... And lunch could easily have been ages ago.

No, still doesn’t sound any better.

I'm sure it doesn't matter if charcuterie sits out for 8 hours or so at a private party as it's salty enough to stay good. As @Erter mentions dancing etc I'd.want something to eat by 11 or midnight. It all depends on if people are sticking around till 2 a.m. or stopping at the chippie on the way home 11ish...

Would scrambled eggs sound better if I said with cheese chives and mushrooms, or smoked salmon, on heaps of buttered toast? Because that's what I meant!

…scrambled eggs…

One would presume so if they are going to a matinee.

What about a couple of different pasta salads - penne and fresh pesto, and something tomato based, along with a home made baby potato salad ? Add some good quality garlic breads and maybe a sliced frittata.

I’d go for something like this as well. It’d be a shame if all those picky bits are left out as people might want to graze on them and not stored properly in the fridge again. It seems like hassle (when you’re maybe tired and merry) and a waste.

Are you have a very early lunch? Otherwise I would get the later food out at 9ish, by the time you’ve had lunch and a musical and drinks, 7 seems very early to have dinner (seems early anyway even if you’re not doing that!). Just put some crisps/olives/etc. out when you serve drinks and have the cheese between 9-10.