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Original poster

Please tell me what I need to make for these people

29 replies

Sillyhelp2021 · 03/07/2021 07:55

Hello,
Im just not very good at this stuff - cooking, hosting, knowing what to do. My parents never did it growing up so I have little confidence and don’t know what’s normal.

I have a friend visiting tomorrow with his wife. I don’t know them that well but he seems nice enough. They are coming at 2pm and will probably stay for an hour or so.

Do I need to offer them food? What do I give them to eat? No one has mentioned anything, I’m sure they will have eaten lunch beforehand as they won’t want to put me out but I’m just not sure what to offer them.

OP posts:
Xmasbaby11 · 03/07/2021 07:58

I'd say just have a few drinks available (hot and cold) and some biscuits or cake. They might not want anything to eat but I always like to offer.

orangejuicer · 03/07/2021 07:58

Tea/coffee and biscuits/cake combo. They wont be expecting lunch at 2pm. You could do veg sticks and houmous? Crisps?

This all depends on who they are visiting, why, and how bothered you are feeling about it.

PegasusReturns · 03/07/2021 08:02

2pm is a funny time.

Are they passing through on way to somewhere else? Id be inclined to drop them a line to ensure that they will have had lunch.

Provided they have eaten, offer of cake would be lovely but not necessary.

giletrouge · 03/07/2021 08:02

Offer tea or coffee, if they don't want that - would you like a cold drink? Have some juice or cordial or something as an alternative. Some people (my DH!) will say just water!
I'd probably have a cake or at least a packet of 'posh' biscuits to offer but I wouldn't expect necessarily them to want any - some people don't really snack.
As long as I'd offered hot and cold drinks and then cake or biscuits that'd be fine for a short visit after lunch.

Oh I guess if they refused cake or biscuits I'd then say - well could I offer you anything else? - and then point to the fruit bowl or otherwise indicate that they are free to have a piece of fruit.

But I wouldn't be surprised if it was just a cuppa!
Have fun - don't worry about it too much - you'll get the hang of it!

covetingthepreciousthings · 03/07/2021 08:04

I would double check they would have eaten lunch, but in a way that made sure I wasn't offering to make them some Wink

I'd just have posh biscuits or cake, and some hot / cold drinks available, I'm sure that will be fine.

willyoumeetmeonclareisland · 03/07/2021 08:13

2pm is a great time..too late for lunch, too early for dinner. Just tea and coffee, biscuits or cake perhaps and soft drinks.

FusionChefGeoff · 03/07/2021 08:13

You are being very thoughtful to check - but I'd definitely not worry too much as 2pm is definitely not a food window!

Tea / coffee and maybe some biscuits or cake would be what I would expect.

Hope you all have a nice time Smile

Atalune · 03/07/2021 08:16

Yes as above, cake and or biscuits.

Original poster
Sillyhelp2021 · 03/07/2021 08:16

Thank you! This is really helpful. I was thinking of putting some posh crisps in a bowl. Maybe with hummus?

I will have tea and coffee. When you say posh biscuits or posh cake - which ones are those? Blush gosh so sorry to ask!

I will also make sure to have some fruit in too!

OP posts:
covetingthepreciousthings · 03/07/2021 08:19

Posh cakes or biscuits would be Waitrose or M&S.. or like the homemade style farm shop style ones you get.

ShoeJunkie · 03/07/2021 08:19

I’d usually have a couple of packets of naice biscuits (e.g. Tesco Finest, M&S) out on a plate to serve with tea and coffee.

orangejuicer · 03/07/2021 08:19

Just a nice packet of biscuits rather than a normal pack of gingernuts for example! The Fox's chunky ones are nice.

willyoumeetmeonclareisland · 03/07/2021 08:23

biscuits..personally I think you can't go wrong with old favs like a chocolate digestive or a hobnob.

Mattsmum2 · 03/07/2021 08:24

Just a small thing but I usually with visitors put biscuits on a plate. That way you can limit them too! Just relax and enjoy 😊

Wiredforsound · 03/07/2021 08:25

I wouldn’t bother with dips and crisps. It’s just after lunch so think about what you’d like to eat if you popped into a coffee shop about 2.30 in the afternoon - I’d say some nice biscuits - like Fox’s chocolate assorted biscuits, or fresh cookies from the supermarket bakery (they come in a bag of four or five) or a small cake (you can buy a ‘luxury’ small cake for about £3 in a supermarket) would be fine. Don’t go to too much trouble.

DillyDot · 03/07/2021 08:27

Not sure if crisps and hummus really go with tea and coffee? I'd stick to cake - I'd buy something like a lemon drizzle or carrot cake and have some nice chocolate biscuits too.

Illogicalmadness · 03/07/2021 08:29

I'd do a cream tea so Scones, clotted cream, butter and jam with tea and coffee. Maybe a 0late of biscuits etc. Check with your guests if they have any dietary requirements such as gluten free etc. You can easily buy gluten free versions of Scones & biscuits etc.

TheLovelinessOfDemons · 03/07/2021 08:30

@covetingthepreciousthings

I would double check they would have eaten lunch, but in a way that made sure I wasn't offering to make them some Wink

I'd just have posh biscuits or cake, and some hot / cold drinks available, I'm sure that will be fine.

"You'll have had your tea then?" Scottish XFIL always said that this was what people in Edinburgh said.
Illogicalmadness · 03/07/2021 08:33

Posh biscuits/cakes are usual in packets/boxes which say premium or luxury or special etc.

You'll be fine, don't worry.

LFQuery · 03/07/2021 08:40

Agree with everyone else. I’d offer tea and coffee. I’d get some fizzy water and cordial of some kind like elderflower. Then a selection of biscuits on a plate. Chuck in some 2 finger Kit Kat’s or some mini cake slices / cake bites. Sorted.

beautifullymad · 03/07/2021 08:46

@Sillyhelp2021

Thank you! This is really helpful. I was thinking of putting some posh crisps in a bowl. Maybe with hummus?

I will have tea and coffee. When you say posh biscuits or posh cake - which ones are those? Blush gosh so sorry to ask!

I will also make sure to have some fruit in too!

Tea, coffee, soft drink option such as cold lemonade. A cake, one from a shop will be ok, a few nice biscuits and maybe a bowl of crisps.

It's afternoon tea timing but most people would have eaten lunch.

willyoumeetmeonclareisland · 03/07/2021 08:47

If you are nervous. .keep it simple, so nothing you have to slice. .and do not do a cream tea!

Atalune · 03/07/2021 08:55

Bake a lemon drizzle? So easy and a real crowd pleaser.

Or go to your local bakers and get a nice selection of pastries x

FizzyPink · 03/07/2021 08:59

I’m surprised at all the tea/coffee/soft drinks. I’d be a bit disappointed if I went to someone’s house on a weekend afternoon and wasn’t offered a glass of fizz personally

How2Help · 03/07/2021 08:59

Agree no cream tea and no hummus/crisps.

Remember to have sugar available if you are someone who doesn’t normally have sugar in your tea/coffee (I do and always feel bad when hosts have to rummage looking for some).

Biscuits are easier than cake as no worrying about what size to slice.

Posh biscuits nice but don’t fret about what type - I genuinely don’t think people would judge a gingernut or digestive (but fig rolls wouldn’t be a safe option). A selection box covers all options or a couple of packets for variety (eg one chocolate type one not chocolate) and yes offered from a plate.

Clean toilet with handwash and towel.

Enjoy!

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