Inviting neighbours over for drinks, what to provide?

[startingtolooklikemother]

Hello everyone, we have recently moved into a little street and want to get to know our neighbours. We think having them round for drinks and nibbles would be nice especially at Christmas, the problem is that I've never done this before and really have no idea what to provide.
Would it be ok to get some wine, beer and maybe Prosecco plus some soft drinks (no idea what,Diet Coke?) I don't want to spend a fortune but equally don't want to look like a tight arse.
What about nibbles, something from Iceland maybe, pigs in blankets???
Any experienced hosts/hostesses please can you advise???

Drinks sound perfect. For food it depends how many you're expecting.

For under 10 people, I'd make mulled wine and put it in a slow cooker to keep warm. Then I'd go to Iceland or Lidl and get frozen party food like sausage rolls - bake it as you go so you've always got a plate of something. Plate of mini mince pies. You could even do a cheese board but make sure you have enough crackers and napkins.

For more than 10 people ditch the hot stuff, too much work - just go for mince pies, crisps, nuts, tub of heroes or quality street. Put 2-3 bowls out at a time and refill every so often or people will just plough through and you'll run out!

Put Michael buble's Christmas album on the stereo, low lighting lots of candles and fairy lights, make sure the rooms where the party is to be is really tidy (including the kitchen so leave enough time to clean everything down). Stuff everything into your bedroom and close the door so downstairs is clear and uncluttered. Put drinks in the kitchen and food somewhere else so people circulate. It'll be brilliant!

Genius mulled wine in the slow cooker! God I'm crap I never even thought about mine pies I don't know how many people but probably 10ish? Is it ok to not have spirits and just wine/beer?

I’d keep it simple, perhaps offer beer, Prosecco and possibly a glass of mulled wine when they arrive. To go with the Prosecco you could have orange juice and creme de Cassis, so you could offer Bucks Fizz, Kir Royale and plain Prosecco. Plus some soft drinks, maybe a couple of cordials that you could add to lemonade or water.

I’d keep the nibbles mainly cold ones as you don’t want to be spending all your time in the kitchen baking things, you want to be meeting your new neighbours.

Definitely ok not to offer spirits!

I really want to have neighbours round as well. We have done the mulled wine in a slow cooker and it works great. Maybe bill it as mulled wine and mince pies.