What to feed the in-laws?!

[Notapartyanimal]

DD and DH's birthday in a couple of weeks (same day). As if that wasn't stressful enough, in-laws are descending for the birthday weekend.

DD is having her party on their actual birthday (the Sunday) so we thought we'd all go out for lunch to celebrate DH's birthday on the Saturday. So far so good except what on earth can I feed in-laws on the Saturday evening?

For context they are late 70s, will insist they don't want a big meal after going out for lunch (but from past experience will be properly put out if I don't feed them and will eat plenty when it's provided), and only like 'easy', 'traditional' stuff. Think shepherds pie, bolognese, lasagne etc. Nothing 'weird' or (shock horror) 'spicy' 🙄

Last time we did this I did pizza and salad in the evening which worked well because it was quite light and people could have as much or as little as they wanted but we're going to a pizza restaurant for lunch this time so that's out.

Help! There must be something obvious I'm missing...

Do a tray of small sandwiches and soup if it's cold. Salad if it's not.

Baked potatoes with a variety of toppings and salad.

Given they like shepherds pie and you’ve mentioned it what’s wrong with making that? And you’ve got plenty of time until they come so could even make one ahead and freeze it ready ? Or indeed bolognaise, both easy and I’d do a simple green salad with it and garlic bread .

Creamy chicken and Spinach lasange with garlic bread and salad?

Shepherds pie, bolognese or lasagne? If those are the things they like, cook one of them!

Problem is anything that sounds like a 'big' meal (eg shepherds pie, lasagne) will be met with complaints because we've been out for lunch and 'we've already had a meal dear' 🙄🙄🙄

Soup and bits maybe a shout but will have to amp it up a bit for DH and kids who do not subscribe to this one meal a day philosophy!

Let DH cook for his parents. Why are you lumbered with wife work for his parents?

I bet he wouldn’t be cooking for your parents on your birthday.

Cooked ham, potatoes and salad?!

Quiche with salad and new potatoes?

Soup and toasted sandwich?
Prepare lasagna and they can have just a small bit?
Jacket potatoes with lots of toppings?

Those ones the obvious ones as we've all said them!

Sausage sandwiches? Fish finger sandwiches?
Egg on toast type tea? Baked eggs if you want to make it a bit fancier.

Cheese and cold meats with nice bread and salad? Maybe some scotch egg type things too? Sort of a help yourself ploughman'sso they can have as much or as little as they like.

Party Food - put a buffet out on the table and people can eat if they want to - sausage rolls, mini sausages, dips and crisps, Indian & Chinese selection, mozzarella bites, that kind of thing.

Make something like quiche, cheese scones, cupcakes or sausage rolls, then serve it up as part of high tea with crusty bread, pickles, houmous, and cold cuts.

Quiche, hot new potatoes and salad/coleslaw. Then they can go with what they like so might just have a bit of quiche and coleslaw or may go the whole hog and have spuds too.

or substitute the quiche for slow cooker gammon.

Quiche salad and new potatoes
Cold cooked gammon and salads and bread
Cold meats and cheeseboard with salad and bread
Homemade soup and part baked rolls or bread
Homemade sausage rolls and salad and coleslaw

Why can't you make what you want, and invite them to have as small an amount as they choose?

Ignore any wittering. Repeat maybe twice max: you only need to take a small amount if that's all you want. And then change the subject.

I'd definitely do a small buffet or afternoon tea with sandwiches and cake , maybe soup in the slow cooker with crunchy bread.

There just had to be one.
That line has been done to death dear.

Tinned soup n sandwich for the in-laws n a lovely curry takeaway for the rest of the family.

Quiche or Ham, new potatoes coleslaw and salad

Salmon croquettes and salad. (Or ham croquettes)

Bruschetta and salad.

Haddock & sweetcorn chowder, nice bread, other cold meats & cheese etc for hungrier people.

A bunch of pies from Greggs or similar, quiche (as already mentioned), a dish of oven or air fried chips for the hungry ones, and potato salad/coleslaw etc. + crusty bread rolls in a basket.

A bit of a spread. I'd dive into that whether I'd had lunch earlier or not! If they drink, get their favourite wine/beer and have a little cake with candles for the birthdays.

You sound like a great host. Enjoy.

Does it have to be hot? If I'd been out for lunch I'd be more than happy with a cold, light meal in the evening.
I agree with the suggestions for a ploughman's, cold cuts and salads (include some carb based salads for those wanting something more substantial), a good cheese board with crackers, chutney, pickles, celery, grapes, etc, if you have people who will want something hot you could do a baked Camembert or Brie.

Bread, cheese, sliced meats, pickles/chutneys, sausage rolls, crisps…
can be as elaborate or fancy as you can be bothered with, everything straight out of the packet or homemade with roasted meat joints - that way it can be built up or down to satisfy all appetites.