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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to have a party with no food

300 replies

legoqueen · 05/05/2018 17:31

Landmark birthday & have around 70 people invited to an evening in a pub. Starting at 8pm, DH & I have decided to provide some drinks & nibbles but no 'buffet', mainly due to logistics not cost. Another friend did this & with the late start it worked fine, but one guest has expressed horror surprise at this - views please.

OP posts:
TeisanLap · 05/05/2018 18:07

OP, Markies also do nice party food. I did half home made and half Markies last year when catering for a family gathering of 50 people in a holiday home. It worked out really well.

Jackyjill6 · 05/05/2018 18:07

shocked and disgusted

Really ?

I would be possibly disappointed. And possibly hungry.

huha · 05/05/2018 18:08

I second Marks for catered food. We have always used them. Sandwich platters, veggie platters, sausage rolls are also very very popular! And not expensive!!

Ardant · 05/05/2018 18:08

In "real life" surely you can all bring and share food with advanced notice? I've been to one like yours @sprinklesandsauce and it was great.

Shocked and disappointed indeed Grin

BlueBalletDress · 05/05/2018 18:09

You can't not provide food! How embarrassing, if you were my relative I'd be cringing for you and apologising to guests on your behalf.

deadringer · 05/05/2018 18:10

It's not a party as such is it? You are really just inviting people out for a drink, which is fine, but it's not a party.

MiniMum97 · 05/05/2018 18:10

I find this thread very interesting. I have reasonably complex dietary requirements and am often expected to make my own arrangements for food or eat first. Interesting to hear that a lot of people would find a similar expectation on them so unreasonable they wouldn't attend.

fullponty · 05/05/2018 18:10

You need to provide food in some shape or form or it's not a party.

JustDanceAddict · 05/05/2018 18:11

I’ve been to parties where it’s just nibbles but I’ve been told first, so it’s fine.

TheFirstMrsOsmond · 05/05/2018 18:11

I wouldn't mind if it was nearby - but I do remember once being invited to a party 150 miles away where we were told in the invitation there would be no food! It seemed really unwelcoming to be expected to come so far just for drinks - we didn't go....

Grilledaubergines · 05/05/2018 18:12

Yours will be the ‘party’ remembered for all the wrong reasons OP.

The one where the guests starved and created a queue outside the kebab shop that resembled the 5.00am start at the Next sale.

Sprinklesinmyelbow · 05/05/2018 18:12

There is a big difference between complex diet requirements and general catering though minimum97

Tbh I’d be really pissed off to receive some bloody bring and share invite too. That’s somewhat unreasonable but you know, busy lives people. I host with food and I expect it in return Grin

Littlelambpeep · 05/05/2018 18:13

I would provide something op - even if it is simply sandwiches and cocktail sausages. It is a polite gesture and people are always hungry after a few drinks.

underneaththeash · 05/05/2018 18:17

You need something OP - One 40th that sticks in my mind was where the host had catered, but there was nowhere near enough food...everyone started drifting off around 9/9.30.

You need something OP

HoldingTheLineWinston · 05/05/2018 18:21

Why not provide some basics, and ask everyone to bring a plate of something? unless it's a specified vair posh do (and then you would need to provide everything) that's how parties often are round here and it works well...without food it's just a drink with friends really, not so much of a party.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 05/05/2018 18:21

Get an outside caterer in, pie and peas, lasagne, potato hash with a crust type thing always go down well, paper plates and jobs a good un!

Ellie56 · 05/05/2018 18:24

en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/party

Loonoon · 05/05/2018 18:25

My cousin did a big party recently and asked all her local friends/family to bring a plate of buffet food instead of a gift. She had a whatsapp group so everyone could let her know what they were bringing. It worked very well.

Calvinlookingforhobbs · 05/05/2018 18:26

You should provide food. Order pizzas to arrive half way through.

BikeRunSki · 05/05/2018 18:27

I went to a wedding reception without food once. It was rubbish, and died on its feet after about an hour a half when everyone defected to the Chinese takeaway down the road.

pigpoglet · 05/05/2018 18:28

My freind has a local Chinese bring food in for her 40 th . No idea on cost but I think it was reasonable .

Ki0612 · 05/05/2018 18:29

You need food. Speak to pub about what you can bring.

Guiltypleasures001 · 05/05/2018 18:29

Loads of pissed people by 9.30
People travelling a distance, even after dinner will be hungry

I think some food platters at the very least or change venue that can
Cater

wizzywig · 05/05/2018 18:29

Has the op gone?

AnneLovesGilbert · 05/05/2018 18:31

Ask the pub if it has a caterer on the books. Or move it to a pub which can provide food.

Tbh I can’t remember the last time I was in a pub which didn’t offer food.

You do have to have food! You also have to have decent veggie options. Not just fried stuff.

Have a nice party Smile