Garden supper this evening. Would it be reasonable to suggest that guests might leave the table for the football?

[LemonRoses]

We have a ten people arriving for supper this evening. We plan to eat on the terrace, with a 7pm start to catch the last of any sunshine. Clearly if they arrive at 7.15, have drinks and warm spiced nuts/olives then sit down to a starter of crab, we’re not going to be serving the entree until well past 8pm.

I don’t know two of the couples. My guess would be that three, maybe four, of the men would want to see the match. I don’t think most of the women would be particularly interested.

My problem is I wasn’t aware there was a football match this evening and I rather suspect some guests will want to see it.

Do we;

• open the doors so people can pop in and out?
• suggest those that wish cut their food at table and then eat of their knees with a fork whilst watching the television?
• suggest we watch together later?
• not mention to football and hope nobody else does?
• arrange regular update messages from someone who is watching?

If a match is at 8pm, what time will it finish? Should we defer eating until after the match but add in more substantial canapés?

If people accept an invitation to dinner then they won't be expecting to watch the football. And there's a lot of sexist stereotyping going on here too...

@AprilAzpilicueta

Just contributing that I'm a woman and I've watched almost every game of the entire tournament so don't count on the women not being interested just because they're female. Also 'football food'? I assure you that many football fans appreciate a warm nut and a dressed crab, we're not all hotdog-munching lager-swilling yobs, you know?

We're all a bunch of savages who eat raw meat with our hands.

(Are you a Chelsea fan btw?)

It’s a big game and lots of people will want to watch. Too late to eat afterwards so I’d just go with letting people do what they want! Those that want to watch eating indoors and those that don’t outdoors. Everyone will be happy but yes, I would tell them first.

This has to be a wind up?

Loads of women will want to watch the football tonight me included! It would be torture to sit through all your formal nut warming knowing that it's going on and you're so fancy it hadn't even registered! Sexist load of rubbish

I’m sorry OP I’m sure you’re lovely, but I did read your post in a Mrs Bucket voice.

Why not just host an outdoors indoors luxury barbecue with finger buffet?

Ten people you don’t know?!

Hot dogs and popcorn instead of crab, entree and substantial canapés?

Yes I think you’re taking the p here but if you’re not, I would stick to the menu but let people eat where they can see the tv if they want.

Ps garden supper omg 😳. It's raining later anyhow

My husband would be desperate to watch the football. It’s a massive deal for football fans, I’m not English and will definitely be watching.
Could you not maybe ask people to come over for 6? Aim to have staters at 6.30. Main should be coming to an end by 8ish so those that wanted could watch the match? Dessert can be eaten on laps . Others can come and go regarding watching football. I suspect most people will be keen to see it.

We plan to eat on the terrace, with a 7pm start to catch the last of any sunshine.

I fear your plans will either be covid none compliant with multiple households entering your house

The idea you are going to be having a nice garden meal in the sunshine doesn't look great given the weather.

I suggest you just cancel the whole damn thing and have done with it, that way everyone gets to watch the footy, no one gets wet and you all stay within the restrictions.

Have a fun evening.

I wouls ask guests if they want to cancel.

My house is a football free zone- it would spoil my enjoyment having a match playing in the corner.

I actually think OP is more genuine Margo Leadbetter than Hyancith Bucket.

We plan to eat on the terrace

Admit it, you mean you'll be having your grub on the patio.

@saraclara

She’s having people round she doesn’t know in the middle of a pandemic.

She’s having more people over than is allowed in England.

As I suspected. The covid police.
Absolutely no reason not to have people round that she doesn't know. And ten people on an outside terrace is perfectly okay.

If you're going to be covid police, @Orchidflower1, at least make sure you understand what is and isn't within the rules.

Sara my lovely, @LemonRoses clearly mentioned about going inside and if you saw on my very first post I asked where she lived.

Her whole set up is reminding me of mine as an expat child/ young person. Which I detailed in the post you quoted from.

Sorry if that offends you, hun.

@user0985238

Of course, the boys might be more traditional in their approach to football cuisine and neither Iceland pizzas nor hot dogs would be appropriate. Have you considered ordering in some pies?

Or have a themed dinner. Traditional English food, fish and chips, pie and mash, sausage roll etc. and some Ukrainian food as well. Borscht, chicken Kiev, solyanka, dumplings, syrniki, and tons of smetana.

@Howshouldibehave

You need to move things much earlier so you’re starting on the warm spiced nuts at 5.30/6. Then you can do canapés or perhaps some cheese fondue at half time. Then Arctic roll or something for afters.

Arctic roll! Get off. This is posh food, the nuts have been warmed in the nut warmer ffs. I reckon they will be having viennetta.

If some of them cancel can I come instead? I don’t give a shit about the football, love dressed crab and I’m quite partial to a warm nut. Also, it sounds like the weather is good at yours whereas it’s shite here.

@PhilSwagielka could you host please? I love your Ukrainian menu 😋

Bovril and Pukka pies are indeed the way to go. As for vegetable sides, you could offer chip cobs with tomato ketchup.

@RedToothBrush

We plan to eat on the terrace, with a 7pm start to catch the last of any sunshine.

I fear your plans will either be covid none compliant with multiple households entering your house

The idea you are going to be having a nice garden meal in the sunshine doesn't look great given the weather.

I suggest you just cancel the whole damn thing and have done with it, that way everyone gets to watch the footy, no one gets wet and you all stay within the restrictions.

Have a fun evening.

See @saraclara I was not the only one asking perfectly valid questions of hyacinth!

I would just assume everyone wants to watch it. Why not say that as the football is on, would everyone be ok to come round 30 mins earlier and you will start eating at xx time to be done beforehand..and serve dessert at half time

@Cocomarine

I actually think OP is more genuine Margo Leadbetter than Hyancith Bucket.

Yes, you may have a point though I'd go a step further and suggest Audrey Forbes-Hamilton. Perhaps her butler, Brabinger could serve the warmed nuts on the terrace.

Hope you don't get any crumbs on your floor if people eat in the lounge

Record the match.

Ask if people are interested in the football, if they are then serve the starter and main then have a break and put the football on from the start, you can wind through half time.

The normal length of the game is 90 mins but then there might be extra time or penalties.

Serve the oud after the game.

@FolornLawn

At this time of year DP’s nuts are warm enough.

No Pom Bears?

And this @FolornLawn is the comment of the thread! 🤣🤣

Jesus. The inverted snobbery on this thread is embarrassing to read.