Unexpected guests - Christmas Eve buffet

[Okaaaay]

My family have decided to join us unexpectedly for Christmas Eve. I’m trying to botch a picky bits buffet from what I have in. There will be 5 adults and two children. Is this enough;

2 big pizza
2 garlick bread
medium sized cheese board with crackers
large tiger loaf
1 x pack cold meats
1 x pack smoked salmon
2 small packs of halloumi bites
A large mixed salad

Olives

How much needs adding? And what?

More pizza and garlic bread

I would buy more pizza 🍕

Definitely needs more pizza and garlic bread.

More pizza and stick a big bag of potato wedges in the oven too. Plus Pringles.

Crisps!

What needs adding…is a text instruction saying that as you are turning up at short notice you can bring two extra pizzas and some garlic bread

if that’s what you have, then go with that!

You could ask them to bring along (or nip out and get) some crisps and seedless grapes, both of which can bulk out a buffet. big bags of cheese puffs and mini snack biscuits are cheap and tasty.

Most small supermarkets like budgens or tesco metro also sell frozen mini sausage roll packets very cheaply (the Jacks ones are £1.50 for a 30 pack) and they go in the oven in 20 mins at the bottom when you cook the pizza) .

if you have time then pre cut and butter the tiver bread and load it evenly with the cut meats, and put out on a tray lined with tinfoil: makes the food amount look more and saves one person hogging all the ham in one mahoosive doorstep sandwich.

good luck! if they gave no notice they should be grateful you’re being nice and feeeding them!

That's fine

You could ask if they have crisps or another loaf I guess to contribute ?

Crisps
Coleslaw and potato salad.
Cucumber
Celery
Carrot sticks
Bread sticks

Yeah I'd agree that needs something more. Could you throw together a cheap dip? Yoghurt based or tin of chickpeas and make hummus and then add some crisps or crackers?
I'd also agree serving out the salmon and meats on bread as otherwise people may load up on one slice! If you can get some lettuce or spinach or something you can make open sandwiches with some extra bulk

Tell your uninvited guests it's a Pot Luck and they can all bring something for the buffet table.

perfect thank you so much! Off to buy more supplies. I’m happy they’re coming, and they did offer to bring food (I was all breezy in my reply and said it was fine - so my fault). They’re not buffet people (more ‘proper’ food) but I’d decided on a buffet for my immediate family and that’s what we’re having!

More carbs is safe. Have you done a pudding? Maybe panettone or mince pies?

Grab some chicken wings…they are cheap and easy - just bang them in the oven with a little bit of salt - perfect addition.

Cold pasta salad?

This

or, make your own wedges if you have lots of spuds. Very easy.

Dessert 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ no……

Don't bother with dessert.

Box of chocolates

@Okaaaay stressed is desserts backwards hahaha
Don't do it if that's how it makes you feel!

(I actually think sweet stuff at christmas is the least difficult part of a buffet meal?)

Exactly this.

@Ffsmakeitstop and @Rainbowshine op has "bright and breezily" said its all fine and for them not to bring anything!

Mince pies and some Lindt chocolate balls will be fine for desert. And don’t go off if not eaten

My Christmas Eve dinner is slow cooker bolognese, if I had unexpected guests I'd just double the quality because it's far easier than a buffet.