Asking guests to bring something for Christmas

[2020nymph]

Every year we host Christmas and normally we pay for everything. When my family come they give some money.

BIL has a lovely DFiancee and for the first time he has offered to bring something. Money is tight so it would be good to take them up on the offer but I don't know what to suggest. DH and I aren't big drinkers otherwise I would suggest alcohol!

Pudding or a side dish?

Dessert?
We have 3 of my adult dc for most of Xmas and they all put ££ in but it covers a week or 2 of visits!!

Cheeseboard?

Why don't you ask if there's something they want to bring. They might love baking in which case a pudding might be appreciated, or they might hate all cooking so maybe suggest they bring drinks or crackers or snack foods.

Cheese!

@Findahouse21

Cheeseboard?

Yes this ^

Oh when we have crimbo with friends we do this, one does rhe meat, another does the cheeseboard, another does pudding, another does the veg, another does the starter, we all do booze, and we cook and prepare it together.

When we go to my Mums we always take the extra stuff so she cooks and we bring pudding cheese boards and crackers me my sister and my brother one each.

Ask them to cover the dessert option?

And don’t feel bad about it. It costs a bloody fortune to host Christmas both financially and the effort.

chesse, dessert, chocolates, softdrinks, starters, nuts and snacks, some buffet foods to bulk out leftovers on boxing day - so sausage rolls etc

@toastofthetown

Why don't you ask if there's something they want to bring. They might love baking in which case a pudding might be appreciated, or they might hate all cooking so maybe suggest they bring drinks or crackers or snack foods.

They said they don't mind!

I think dessert is prob the easiest to go with.

@toastofthetown

Why don't you ask if there's something they want to bring. They might love baking in which case a pudding might be appreciated, or they might hate all cooking so maybe suggest they bring drinks or crackers or snack foods.

This ^

Presuming you mean they are coming for the day.
If you mean family come and stay for a few days then i'd be upping the game.

We always do this (and we arent even particularly strapped for cash)
We just give everyone something to get amd everyone is happy to

Mil sorts as cheese board
Bil brings the crackers mil bought for him does cheese accessories cracker and chutney
DB brings a couple of desserts
DM does her amaaaazing ham

It's no hardship on them and makes life easier for us as we have nice leftovers for boxing day

They are coming over around 9am and we start talking about how late it is about 11pm

I've messaged them and they are going to bring a couple of desserts (9 this year).

We’re not big cheese eaters but that would be good if you are. My parents have brought a ham and crackers in the past which was yummy

We do this. I cook dinner. Dad brings fizz for the table, his partner brings the crackers. My sister brings all the sweet stuff and this year my eldest is bringing beer.
We start about 10am and the last one leaves by midnight.

This year we are actually doing it twice as we are having 'fake Christmas' next weekend too. 😊