To think that this is enough to take with me to my friends for Xmas dinner?

[PFB1]

My friend kindly invited me and my 2 DD's (aged 2 & 5) to come to hers for Xmas dinner because DH will be away this year and we have no local family. I don't drive so friend will be collecting us and driving us to there's (2 hour round trip) on Xmas day and dropping us back off the following day. So kind of them, I feel quite bad that they're going to that trouble but they insisted I go to their house!

I paid for something for my friend which cost £30. When she tried to repay me, I told her to put the money towards the Xmas dinner.

I have bought a Waitrose chocolate cake and double cream to take with me for desert, a packet of mince pies, a very large box of chocolates, a bottle of Prosecco, as well as gifts for their kids. We would occasionally do gifts for kids if we are seeing each other around the festive period.

Is this enough? I thought it would be but I'm now starting to doubt myself and don't want to look as though I'm being tight. What do you think? Would I be being unreasonable to not bing more?

That sounds enough to me.

Would also offer to get up with her dcs and make all kids breakfast so she can have a lie in...

at 2&5 your children will not eat much so I think that is enough - have a nice day x

It’s enough. Hope you have a lovely day

I don't think it's about how much you have brought, more what you have brought with you, it's all thoughtful and will add to the experience, I'd be pleased if I was your friend as it's lovely things to share (and obviously presents for the kids always go down well)

Have a lovely time

Sounds nice. I'd pay for her fuel too.

I usually over compensate in situations like this, and I think that’s perfectly fine. A nice thank you card (and/or flowers if you can afford) afterwards would be nice too.

She sounds like a lovely friend

That's a relief 😅

How much would their fuel be? I'm hopeless at that sort of thing with me not being a driver 👎🏻 it would be 4 hours worth of driving.

Or rather than pay fuel I could do the flowers idea and have some delivered to her afterwards.

Aw you and your friend both sound lovely. I think you've bought plenty, she probably won't accept petrol money. Offer to do the washing up.x

Your friend sounds really lovely.
Sounds great, I would probably give a 20 euro voucher for local coffee shop or supermarket to cover petrol costs. She sounds like the type to refuse payment!
Have a lovely day

Fuel is a good point. At some point presumably she’ll need to fill up the tank, probably on the return trip - you could pay for that at the time which saves the awkwardness of money changing hands? A full tank in my little car is about £35/40 in bigger cars I guess about £60?

Fuel wise I'd offer £20 as a taxi would have cost a small fortune! But she most likely won't accept.

You sound lovely, as does your friend! Definitely enough to show you've thought about it and appreciate it.

what a lovely friend you are - and she is ❤️❤️❤️

What you’re taking is lovely but I’d also add a bottle of red or beers, if you know what her partner drinks?

Sounds perfect. I think getting up with the kids would be a lovely gesture too. Also I expect she won’t take cash but I’d offer anyway.

What a lovely friendship you have

That's definitely enough imo, she's probably not 'expecting' you to bring much so she'll be pleasantly surprised no doubt.

More than enough OP. What a lovely friend you have and you sound very non-piss-takery!

What you've got sounds fab.

Will your DC be drinking anything other than water or milk? If so I suggest also taking something for your DCs to drink, just some fruit juice or soft drinks.

Also I'd let her know you're bringing dessert so that she doesn't go to the effort of prepping one.

I think that sounds perfect and more than enough

Oh that's plenty, but I love the idea of flowers being delivered afterwards. If you can afford it, do it.

That sounds lovely. I’d probably also take another bottle of plonk and give her a £30 Tesco voucher that will cover the petrol.

I think it's more than enough and tbh some of the suggestions here are a bit OTT. I don't think she'd have offered if she couldn't afford it and I don't think she'd be expecting fuel/flowers/voucher etc etc as well as what you've said.

That’s lovely ..just try and remember people very rarely offer to do a 4 hr round trip on xmas day for non-relatives they don’t like. Its a privilege to see young kids on Xmas day and she obviously thinks you’re worth it Enjoy the day, and your wonderful friend..just relax and don’t spend the entire day saying thank you... 😀

That sounds just lovely! I’m sure your friend will be thrilled. I’d be made up with a token gift for the kids and a bottle of plonk. Hope you all have a brilliant day. How lucky you are to have each other!

Aww I’d invite you op, that sounds lovely.
If you want to do more, then the washing up and kids breakfast sound like a nice gesture.
Merry Christmas

Ask once if you can pay for her fuel and leave it if she says no. You're an invited guest, she wants your company, you're taking plenty to the dinner.