Nibbles. Buffet or Snacks? Help!

[Christmasmunchies]

I've invited about 20 family and friends around Christmas Eve. Pretty casual invite - "drop in anytime between 12-2 for a Christmas drink and nibbles if you're free" (type of text sent).
One of my friends yesterday was grilling me on what I class as nibbles, in a slightly condescending tone. I explained its only a pretty casual drop in affair, so won't be a buffet. She then asked me to be more precise about what food will be served (I found it a bit rude tbh!)
I said, crisps, chocs, nuts, cheeseboard- that type of thing. She looked disappointed! Now I'm concerned that everyone else will be expecting a Delia Smith Buffet and I'll have to up my game and get more food in.
If someone sent you the above invite- what would you be expecting?

"Pissed at high noon" 🤣

Christmas Eve is not a normal day with normal mealtimes. Nibbles and drinks 12-2 is fine.

See, if my friends suggested drinks and nibbles (they wouldn’t any more than they’d say picky bits 🤮), they’d mean:

Booze
Posh crisps
Dips including hummus, tzatziki and baba ganoush
Samosas, sausage rolls, pork pies, Scotch eggs, cocktail sausages
Bread, crackers, garlic bread
Charcuterie and cheese
Stuffed vine leaves, falafel
Mince pies, florentines, small cakes
Quiche or pastry tart slices

All “nibbly” things so no bowls of salad or soup or anything that needed serving, everything can be eaten standing up and grazed on, but definitely substantial enough to double for lunch, especially over the 12-2 lunch time period.

So I can see why OP’s friend wanted clarification! Especially on Christmas Eve – it’s busy, no one’s dropping by for 20 minutes to chug a Prosecco and eat a single nut; if you’re dropping in you’ll be there at least an hour, plus travel. I wouldn’t eat beforehand – I’m not a toddler who has lunch at 11 – and would be hangry after 2. It’s an odd window to invite people and assume they’ll assume “nibbles” means “bag of Twiglets, no protein”.

Good god, some people are bloody ungrateful!

So what if it’s ‘just a glass of Prosecco’, surely every visit to a friend doesn’t need to include a 3 course meal, a hot and cold buffet or a bloody bowl of soup!

Then don’t go 🤷🏻‍♀️. It’s just an invitation to pop in for a quick drink/snack. You don’t have to sit there from 12-2pm exactly , eating and drinking whatever is put in front of you. It’s not a kid’s birthday party.

So what if it’s ‘just a glass of Prosecco’, surely every visit to a friend doesn’t need to include a 3 course meal, a hot and cold buffet or a bloody bowl of soup!

Can you imagine standing in someone's lounge slurping your soup before tucking into gammon with a winter pasta salad, pomegranate jewels on the finest artisan artichokes and crusty bread? It's hardly easy finger food.

I'd be delighted with a glass of Prosecco and a handful of crisps personally.

yes, I agree, but I suppose I didn't put my point across well, just do a variety of small sandwiches to make it sound better? I guess it may also be a cultural thing, I'd never 'pop' in for a a quick drink/snack, what is that all about? Irish.

I don't think having just drinks is a bad thing as long as people know.

My point remains that over lunchtime the expectation of 'nibbles' might be closer to a buffet than a few bowls of dry roasted nuts.

So an invite saying pop in for drinks, all good. I'd eat a big breakfast and plan for a late lunch.

An invite for drinks and nibbles and I'm thinking party food probably.

The person asking wasn't being rude, maybe they just wanted to be clear what the deal was.
I'd feel bad if I'd filled up beforehand and the host had put on lots of food.

Hmm! I think you would have to be a bit dim to not know that “nibbles” refers to non-substantial munchies and “drop in for a drink” means just come for a bit without getting bladdered. 🤣 Wtf really?!

Sounds like some people need leading by the hand in life! As for the friend - sign of a freeloader for sure 😂

I really need to know what's in the pasta salad, will someone please put me out of my misery.

Who knew that adding a few sandwiches or hot sausage rolls at lunchtime nibbles would cause so much trouble.

I’d love to know too!

You friend wasn’t grilling you she was planning her own lunch. Poor party hosting skills here from you.

It was a nice idea but mid afternoon or evening would have saved much confusion. Nibbles and prosecco at 12-2pm is just confusing, Christmas Eve or not.

Might I suggest some of these.....

I always thought nibbles was code for “eat a sandwich before you leave home”.

I will not be able to sleep tonight unless the mystery of the Winter Pasta Salad has been solved…..

If I received this invite I’d think it’s really nice to get an invite on Christmas Eve but I would secretly wish it was either a lunch invite or for a bit later in the day.

I will not be able to sleep tonight unless the mystery of the Winter Pasta Salad has been solved…..

Likewise, much musing here over whether there is an Autumn Pasta Salad and a Spring Pasta Salad as well - a Pasta Salad For All Seasons, if you will. It is crucial information to know the different combinations for each season but alas it seems were are to remain in tortured ignorance.

I'm loving this thread.

Also, sorry to complain further but it's a really awkward time for drinks. 3-5 means people will probably have finished last minute prep and gift delivery or whatever and can walk/cab over and relax for an hour. 12-2 for me would mean driving and popping in for a soft drink because I had shitloads to do after.

Shitshow all round really. Is the OP regretting the gathering completely or just posting about it here. 😄

Nibbles are not a buffet.

Nibbles = nuts, crisps, mince pies, sausage rolls, cheese on sticks, cocktail sausages on sticks.

Things people can pick up and eat with their drink in the other hand.

If I see nibbles, thats what I am expecting and it could be anywhere from a glass of something and a mince pie, up to a range of snacks/canapes if I am lucky but it wouldn't involve anything requiring two hands or a plate.

More than that... (and several examples given already that posters claim are 'nibbles') is a bloody buffet.

Nibbles - I would only expect snacks and anything else would be a bonus. Some totally inflated expectations on here.

Nibbles.

Cracked it….

www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/pasta-recipes/winter-pasta-salad/

It would have to involve that dick wouldn't it. 😄