So apparently I'm having 18 people for a lunch party on Monday.

[Womblealongwithme]

DH and I were supposed to be at a party 3 weeks ago and unfortunately, I came down with a sickness bug so DH went on his own.

He has just reminded me about the bank holiday party we're having on Monday and asked what I needed him to do for it. Except I wasn't at the party and knew nothing about said party. DH is the loveliest, kindest man on the planet and was diagnosed with ADHD about 10 years ago, which means that sometimes, he has conversations with me in his head, that don't quite make it to me! (Like inviting all and sundry to said bank holiday party!) So, dear readers, I need ideas from you lot quickly. We don't have a barbecue so I have my fridge and an oven and not a lot of kitchen space.

Add to that, that most of tomorrow will be taken up with various sporting activities for DS and DD so I don't have a whole lot of time, pretty much Monday morning only! Oh and it needs to cater for vegetarian and coeliac guests. Help!

Disclaimer - DH will absolutely be involved in prep and feel awful that he has sprung this on me!

I hope to fuck it’s not Monday morning - I woke thinking it’s Sunday? If it’s Monday I am supposed to be on my way to holiday 😱

I once went to a 'party' where they had arranged for a burger van to park in the drive and guests queued up to collect a (free to them) portion of fish and chips or whatever.
It could turn out expensive though.
But first check numbers of guests you're expecting. Perhaps phone the organiser of that party and ask what husband's said, if it was along the lines of "you must all come to our house on Monday" - you're in trouble.
(*Corinthiana * she explained - DH thought he'd told her, but he hadn't. Many men seem to do that).
As for DH's offer of help - well tell him he's paying for it, and he can start with buying the booze.

You edited - thank god - I was running around questioning myself panicking 🤣

Hi OP, I'm coeliac and I saw that you're going to Costco, however I'm not sure how much GF stuff there is there. The cold meats and salads will all be GF but unfortunately they do not so any sandwiches or GF wraps. If you have a chance, most supermarkets would have GF pizzas for your coeliac guest. It's very good of you to consider them, I often go to family/friends parties who know I have coeliac and don't cater for me so have to be bring my own (apart from parents and MIL, they are really good at catering for me) but it can be a bit awkward sometimes when I go elsewhere! Have a lovely day tomorrow.

I'm astonished at all these responses saying what to eat. Cancel!

Sorry I’ve been up since 4am and have lost track of time

I'd be a bit concerned you haven't still received a single confirmation from the people attending the party. The worry is your DH invited them as an afterthought but your friends didn't understand they were invited.

However, if friends attending the party only get in touch the day before, a buffet of cut meats, different salads (pasta, seafood, potato, meditarrean) a couple of curries, 2/3 supermarket roast chickens and 2/3 big fruit platers would be fab and easy to do with little time.

It’s fine 🤣 the kids have calmed down after I screamed at them ‘what day is it? What day is it?’ 🤣🤣

This!! Why are so many people on here just giving food suggestions without looking at the underlying issue?

I agree with those saying that it’s weird and slightly worrying that no one has been in touch to say they’re looking forward to it/what can they bring.
But anyway, my response would be to tell him to crack on with organising it. And ask what I could do to ‘help’.

Huge amount of work to make 3 different curries!

I would expect a confirmation of an invite for sure which is one of the reasons why I question whether this is actually happening.

I would also expect to confirm nearer the time that I was coming even just by text.

I'm astonished that people haven't read the OP's updates. She is happy to host and cater for her friends albeit short notice is not ideal - which is why she's come on here for ideas.

Yep I’m with cold buffet.

Do a load of jackets and part baked rolls and have meats and cheese, veg sticks and sides. crisps.

Mini cakes etc.

It’s going to be hot tomorrow so cold food is fine.

It depends how the friendship group rolls and what DH actually said.

But if someone invited me off the cuff for a party 3 weeks hence. If I didn’t receive a follow up invite text/email/phone call to confirm I don’t think I would think it was happening.

I would certainly contact the host to ask.

Oh and my 21yo ds is autistic so I totally understand the conversation in own head analogy!

Sometimes ds starts speaking out loud to me in the middle of a conversation he’s thought has been out loud and can’t understand why I have no clue about what he’s on about 🤷‍♀️😂

It's sad to not jump on board and work as a team, it's sad to choose to refuse and tell him that he's got to deal with it while you avoid it for the sole purpose of saying no. It's biting your nose off to spite your face.
I don't think its a punishment for him to sort it out with her help, I think its a punishment for her to refuse to help and say he's on his own, as some pp have suggested. I think if they both get on and do it, equally, its doable (not easy!) and if either of them refuses to help it's a recipe for disaster and completely unnecessary.

I was going to suggest pizza, but you have a celiac.

I know it isn't Waitrose but have a look at Iceland online. Lots of party foods, not the most sophisticated, but mozzarella bites, satay chicken, quiche that sort of thing.

Hi OP, nice to read your post 09:11. Pleased you are going for it. Impromptu parties can be extra good, somehow extra flair gets added.
I despair at those who would show up their DH for this.
Best wishes

way too complicated! You only need to offer one main course, a simple carb - rice or potatoes - and a vegetable side dish or salad.

Nibbles with drinks is nice but no dips with breadsticks or the coeliac won't be able to touch it. Premium crisps are usually GF and I would stick with those, olives and nuts.

Because that’s what op asked for. She’s been clear that she and her Dh have a great relationship, they will both be prepping and hosting and she is looking forward to the party.

why are so many people ignoring op’s question, and the accompanying information, and insisting that she is a doormat and that there are underlying issues in her marriage?

if people on here apply the same advice to their own lives as they dish out to others, I can only think they aren’t much fun to be around and must spend a great deal of time either alone or locked in battle with their partners/friends/family/colleagues.

Sometimes people make mistakes and slip up and that’s life. Not every little issue is leave the bastard territory. Well, at least not in real life. Mn is a parallel universe it seems.

Personally I don't think supermarket pizza cuts it for a party unless the guests are all 12.

OP, know you’re busy in costco and over this already but just wanted to say that I love and aspire to your positive energy. He’s a good guy, made a bit of a communication mistake, but you’re sorting it together and it’s not a big deal. Balm to some of the extreme reaction here 🙌

I never use oats in crumble, grandmother and mother didn't either, it was quite an eye opener the first time I had it 😂 The OP can use GF flour.

Why are so many people on here just giving food suggestions without looking at the underlying issue?

Beecause we are not trying to "interpret" OP "underlying issue" when she said in her OP - DH is the loveliest, kindest man on the planet, followed by a couple of posts stating that in her circle of friends, she'll hear from them the day before the party.

She's made more than clear she was looking for lunch ideas for 18 people in a short notice, and has no issues with her marriage.

Maybe some of you should stop bringing your own personal analysis to her marriage, and focus on what she's asking for.