Nibbles.

[Mysocalledlife77]

Would you say it’s acceptable if you invite someone round to your house at say 5pm until evening to serve just nibbles (quite a lot of them though-buffet ish) it should you make a proper *Dinner?
Any idea what to serve as picky bits? I’m thinking crisps, dips, crudités etc
Would you rather that or a bbq or a takeaway pizza if dropping by someone’s house for a few hours?

I do meze or tapas, grilled prawns, patas bravas, spanish omlette, olives, hummus, falafel, grilled aubergines in tomato sauce, there are plenty of Persian dips to make. Along with bread. Who needs a huge dinner!

Your ideas of nibbles sounds fine, you don't need a hot meal or takeaway. It sounds like a nice buffet, easy to set up in advance so you can relax. Plenty of food, nice drinks, sounds lovely.

So many rude posters, ignore them. They're enjoying being awkward. It's probably because they don't get invited.

Well if there's plenty of food and actual food, not just crisps, then of course it's fine.

Food doesn't stop being food just because there's a variety of it in small pieces on separate plates.

Nibbles 💀
Picky bits 💀

YABU

That is all

Just bung some pizzas and fries in the oven as well and add a bowl of salad.

I think it depends how you phrased the invite, but it sounds good to me.
It's always awkward cooking just one option in case someone doesn't like it. To be honest I'd prefer a cold buffet or bbq to a huge pot of chili or something.

If people stay late and get hungry you can always order a takeaway in the evening.

The terms ‘nibbles’ & ‘picky bits’ give me the proper ick.

Also that’s dinner time so no, you have to cook! Or order in.

Oh what you’re talking about isn’t called nibbles (which is crisps, nuts, olives) that is a buffet. Which is fine.

To me, nibbles are what to have if friends are coming over after 7-8pm ish. Around 5, I agree you need a proper dinner, even if it's something easy like bbq or pizza.

Sounds fine for me. Often I do oven party food for nibbles, and we end up eating so much and not eating the more substantial food I had planned for the actual dinner!

Depends on the picky bits! As long as it's relatively substantial, with plenty of protein options eg meats cheeses etc, and there's lots for them to fill up on, then that will be fine - sounds yum! If it's just crisps and dip and crudités then probably wouldn't be enough specially if they are drinking alcohol - need something to fill their stomachs up otherwise people might feel a bit rubbish. When we've done a picky sort of tea I've done a cold tray of snacks for first round of drinks, a hot tray of snacks for second round (think sausage rolls and sliders, or tapas style minis) then a sweet tray at the end with brownie/cakes/fruit - usually everyone has had more than enough by the end! M&S although expensive do a great range of heat up snacks that are almost as good as homemade.

Nibbles is fine as long as there are plenty of them and your guests know what to expect.

Me 😀

I feel awful but that's all I could think of when I read the thread title, nibbles made me cringe then picky bits tipped me over the edge. 😅

Haha to whoever said "picky bits" was what people call their privates! It took me a while to think what you meant - but yes I've heard people refer to "their bits" 😂

Anyway, I suggested a big bowl of "something" because it sounded like the OP hadn't invited them for "dinner" because she didn't want a lot of hassle and nibbles would be easier with the planned drinks. A more substantial buffet affair or bbq is lovely but it's also quite a lot of work and/or money so was just suggesting doing a one pot wonder prepared the day before requiring no effort except heating on the day!

5pm is not dinner time unless you're 5. I'd specify what you're inviting them for to save any confusion.

The OP has made it clear there are children coming

Depending on their ages yes 5 is dinner time

If they stay for more than an hour that then creeps into a regular family dinner time

5pm is not dinner time unless you're 5
5pm is a normal time for dinner for many people, including me.

I genuinely thought that this was a thread about how awful these words were.