Hosting - help me please!

[GorgeousLadyofWrestling]

My mother in law and two brothers in law are coming for Christmas dinner tomorrow. We have all the actual dinner stuff prepared and planned but they’ve just said they’re coming earlyish to see the kids open presents.

Now I am panicking slightly about food. We didn’t have a set time for actual Christmas meal but if we do it midday - they don’t plan on leaving until 8 and so will be hungry later. If we have meal later, they’ll be hungry in the day earlier.

We don’t have much money but I am thinking is there a kind of “spread” we could put on to graze on throughout the day? That’s kind of cheapish? We have 12 mince pies 🙈🙈 I didn’t anticipate having to feed throughout the day, to be honest!

Bacon rolls or croissants earlier in the day. Dinner at 5. Crisps, nuts, sweets - or whatever you like to nibble on - on the table throughout the day.

Could you do “brunch”. So pastries and croissants?

Then just a few dishes of crisps and nuts.

Great ideas - I could get the frozen croissants so that they are all hot and buttery!

So they've decided to come for the day then! Have you got a spare loaf - cold meat and pickle sandwiches in the evening? My mum always had enough food in to feed any waif and stray and could never understand why I didn't cook someone a meal if they popped in unexpectedly! We're more aware of waste these days as well as being budget conscious. I'd put some crisps out as well - a veritable feast!

I would hope they'd bring food too
I'd get cheeses, cold meat or a small gammon joint and a couple of packets of part baked rolls
Bung it all on the table with the left over turkey

Told you, not asked……?

No is a complete sentence!

Ask them to bring things - be specific. Drink, snacks whatever.
Be upfront and tell them to eat (a big) breakfast beforehand. Say ok we will eat at five then...
Have a lovely day

I'd eat mid afternoon, eg at 3pm so only a pastry needed as a brunch to keep them going and won't be hungry again before they leave. Anything goes at Christmas.

Warm cinnamon buns at breakfast - late morning. With a milky coffee. Eat late - we aim for 4.00pm. We don't eat again.

you reply - excellent idea to come and watch dc open presents, you bring the croissants and a nice loaf and ill get the bucks fizz and nice marmalade