To think I'll never be able to host?

[SouthernNorthernGirl]

Currently living in a small flat. Our family live at least an hour away. Don't have many friends here, only DH work colleagues and a few people that are acquaintances.
We moved away 4 years ago, and I miss entertaining so much. Always had people in and out of the house, game nights, party's, bring a dish, bbqs.

I don't think people would travel, not if they couldn't drink (no space to have overnight guests) Also seeing as we moved, it is now accepted that we are the ones that need to go to them.

Are my days playing host over?

Thank you Unwrapped Really helpful post.
The guests don't know each other as far as I know, although may also be acquaintances. The problem is I don't have friends locally really.

The DC will be awake, as I've gone for a Sunday invite, and welcomed DH's and DC's along too. I was going to switch the room around to open it up a bit, and set up DC bedroom for any that want to go and play.

Just to add, I know it's Moroccan. Not sure why it spelt out like that in pp.

Ooh, I know it's been a few days since the last post. I'm beginning to get a bit flustered about all the menu planning. Or rather the cooking of it all, costs, where to shop for it etc etc.
Any more tips would be so lovely and stop the panic

Anyone?

I think you're great, OP, doing this. You need to make new friends, so you're going all out to find them.

You'll probably get more response re food tomorrow. Do you want to do a buffet or hot dishes?

Have you worked out what dishes you want to do? If so, proceed to step 2. If not, have a look at some menus online, even restaurant menus to see whether there are easy things you can buy/make

Step 2 is generally scheduling for me with this kind of mix of things. Divide dishes into three lists - prep in full ahead (dips, stuff which just needs buying, some salads or e.g.quiche - anything which at the time you just need to serve) prep in advance but cook/heat at time, and can't be prepped in advance. Make sure the balance is right for you - and that your kitchen realities (how many people cooking, oven space available, how many chopping boards etc) allow for your plans. If it's just you cooking, you may want to make sure you've got the least stuff on the two on-the-day lists, for example.

Sort this stuff FIRST before shopping -because it's depressing to buy loads of stuff and then realise you'll go mad if you try and cook it all.

Personally I'd do a large tagine or two (if veggie and meat eaters need catering for) with bread/rice as easy main, and more random stuff as starters - most of which would be cold or just stuff to stick in oven to be heated, for ease! Then you have basically nothing to do while guests are actually there.

You're probably right Oohh - bit late, I know
Also thank you I was so bloody nervous putting out the invite, so I'm glad I got a positive response from people.

Food wise, I was thinking of maybe 1 hot dish, with lots of little sides (?)

Crossed posted with you Seqkat
That's such a helpful post - do you think a tagine is ok then? I didn't think of that, and it does sound lovely.

Ps re shopping, loads of stuff can be got from any supermarket these days, I'd just get a delivery order for the day before or ideally day before that (day of cuts down time available for emergency replacements, and adds to the stuff you have to do on the day, so increases stress).

If you want to make a tagine, make a tagine! You're the one doing it - and as long as you make something reasonable in terms of spices, and have decent sized bowls to avoid any spillage, why not? Bread is easier than rice (to dip in sauce etc) if not at a table, too - if not quite as traditional.

The way I work such meals (we're hosting Thanksgiving for American friends on Thursday if you see my thread!) is to first decide what we will be cooking. Here I make sure that there is a mix of easy things in there, or at least prep-ahead things.

Then divide the steps I need to do e.g. for Thanksgiving I have: shop, prep turkey, prep bread stuffing, cook turkey, cook bread stuffing, set up table etc. Depending on how complex I divide these over 2-4 days. And do make sure that this plan is realistic! e.g. if have to cook a turkey for 4 hrs no point having only 2 hrs and make sure you don't need the oven for anything else etc.

I make sure that on the day I have as little as possible, so I have 'space' to deal with any mishaps on previous days and that day. The food prep I also do in order per day e.g. on day 1 I will shop and then prep the bread stuffing. Day 2 is get the table cloth out of the basement, prep turkey etc. Then as days go by I just follow the plan.

Hmm...I see I have written an essay here! I hope you find something useful in there though. And I do love planning, so for me the planning bit is the fun bit :D. Once I have it all written down I know that it is manageable (or if I still have doubts I make changes to the plan e.g. start a day earlier).

the issue with a flat is not so much the space, it's the NOISE for the neighbours! It's fine to have a few guests around for a quiet diner, but remember that you are surrounded by other people who are entitled to sleep , or at least peace and quiet.

Just popped back here to see how you are getting on! Love the tagine idea and I've always been a fan of people helping themselves from a big pot in the middle of the table. Plus no worries about portion sizes.

You said 2 weeks up thread....have you had your event/soiree/meal?

Hi MrsSiba No it's tomorrow!
I didn't feel confident enough for a tagine in the end as I've not made one before.
We decided on Posh Pork Kebabs and will serve that alongside olives, feta, grilled courgettes, chilli halloumi, salads, flatbreads.
We have wine and beer anyway and will be putting out jugs of iced water, and we bought in sparkling juices.
I'll be putting out bowls of crisps, nuts, bread sticks and dips for before.
And I bought a selection tray of tortes, cream cakes, tartlets for after.

I wanted less stress and also can't really splash out. So I know that it's not actually Morrocan at all, I agree thats perhaps better suited to closer friends, rather than what I'm doing.

Does that all sound ok? Have I missed anything? I don't know if I've done enough of a drinks selection...

Did I forget anything? I'm really wanting this to go well.

Really don't fret over it. We were invited (with children) to a friend's and were surprised to find that she served a platter of burgers and chicken breasts, a plate of bread rolls, a bowl of salad and a big bowl of chips from the chippy!! It was a bit unusual but was actually brilliant! Everyone was happy and we had a great evening.

Hope tonight goes well for you

GOOD LUCK for tonight! Relax and enjoy it. Menu sounds great and you will have enough. Eat, drink and be merry.......then come back tomorrow to tell us how it went

It went really well Everyone seemed to have a fab time, and my flat was filled with people laughing and joking and eating. It was so lovely.

Thanks MNetters for giving the the encouragement to do it, I'm so glad I did.

Love this thread! So glad it went well for you today, and well done for biting the bullet. I am sure your guests were delighted to be asked, sometimes it just takes a wee push and for someone to extend the first invite.

Oh well done! This is making me think that maybe we should do something at home now! Will you do it again?

Thank you Saoirse

Abrahamkin You absolutely should! Yes, I would definitely do it again.

Glad to hear it went well! Well done southern, in the bag.

Planning the next one?!

Thanks MrsSiba. Yes, I want to plan the next one now

How soon is too soon?!

The day after is too soon. Next week? Not too soon . If it was me I would probably have a month between them just so I can have a breather! Further up someone however posted a link to someone who does this every week!

I agree, I was half joking about today.
I also think you're right about having a few weeks or so in between.