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?

God your Christmas sounds miserable.

It all sounds so bloody regimented doesn’t it?
’Oh no, I can’t possibly have a glass of Prosecco and some nuts between 12 and 2 in case it ruins my meticulously planned day and I don’t get to eat my proper lunch until 2.30 instead of my preferred 1pm!’

So some people can pop in for an alcoholic drink and some might have a soft drink or a cuppa

'Drinks' doesnt necessarily mean alcoholic drinks, its not compulsory. I dont drink that much so would probably have either a low alcohol lager or perhaps some tonic with lemon/ginger beer type thing

Id love to be invited to something where you just pop in and out quickly for someting very informal, sounds nice

And if I felt I didnt eat enough I'd go home and have some lunch

I'm just coming back to say that Christmas Eve in this house isnt a maelstrom of desperate panic, its quite a relaxed day, and I know quite a few people who are planning this sort of low-key open house thing.

A lunchtime drink and a few NIBBLES sounds really nice, but not all this ridiculous elaborate lunch stuff.

You’ve selected the prime lunch time slot! I would be wondering the same thing - especially as I have kids. Do I need to eat beforehand type of thing. For me nibbles would be more a 2pm onward thing. 12pm is lunch. I would provide things like sausage rolls (homemade), puff pastry straws, crisps and dips, fruit, maybe some cheese.

Haven't rtwt but people aren't forced to stay 12 till 2 and if they're starving they can bugger off home and get a proper lunch. I think you're fine OP.

I see the intent now for choosing that time slot - people, wrong footed by the lure of nibbles, who didn’t have lunch before will quickly bugger off home for lunch.

No chance of people hanging around at a time when time is precious 🤔

I think you might have nailed it.

@LittleCottage @WaddleAway not miserable at all but thanks for your concern. 👍
I just like to properly relax when I see my friends and not be rushing.

Should have guessed that that pretentious, fat tongued, mockney twat would have had something to do with it.

I don’t understand why posters are saying that OP’s friend sounds ungrateful. I think that OP has the easy job compared to her guests, who are expected to drag their arses to her house in the middle of the day on Christmas Eve, for such a rushed and impersonal affair. Especially as their efforts won’t even let them off the chore of making lunch for themselves! Do not be surprised if not many people turn up OP.

Toast a load of pitta breads, slice them into fingers and serve with dips (houmous/guacamole etc). Job done.

I give you

A Winter Pasta Salad!😉

PS. You're very kind (and organized)
to be inviting people over on Christmas Eve. I'll be rushing around like a loon trying to get things sorted for Christmas Day and couldn't think of having people over or dropping in to friends on Christmas Eve. But it's a lovely idea. Enjoy it.

Snap!🤣

I would say 'nibbles' was finger food. Nothing worse than a party without proper food and leaving hungry (and I've been to a few!) Expecting sausage rolls, quiche, falalfels, that kind of thing. No need to slave over the stove, but provide something decent that can be heated up quickly, not just crisps and a few nuts!

Pink if people don't like the idea of a midday drinks party then they don't have to accept? Personally I think it sounds nice (although I would be at work on Christmas Eve ). I loathe evening invitations when the evening just drags on and you are aimlessly making polite chit chat and wondering when you can politely leave.
I've had an interesting post Christmas invite - drinks between 11am-1pm. I assume it's more of a coffee morning type invite, sounds quite nice ... but I am probably working again!