Hosting with 'nibbly bits' is a total pain

[Itsallfunngamesuntil]

Having about twelve people round to ours for Boxing Day.....about one third of the group is vegetarian.

I've already said I'll just make a huge veggie lasagne (I'm a decent cook). Lots of friends suggesting that we can all do nibbles to take the pressure off me (has been a pretty stressful year). Nice of them to think of me, but just wondering on other people's thoughts on this and whether I'm overthinking it. Thanks (ps I'm not a fan of the word nibbles, but was struggling for an alternative lol)

AINBU - much easier to feed a large crowd with a proper meal of veggie lasagne that can be prepped a few days in advance and you are not up and down constantly to the oven and back to the table again checking on when the 'nibbles' are ready.....it also interrupts the conversation flow

AIBU - nibbles are much handier. No prepping involved n getting up n down to the table is not a hassle

As a guest, I've got to say on Boxing day I'd much prefer a casual buffet style to a sit down lasagne. If you've several people heavily hinting they'd prefer the same then that's what I'd do.

I'll caveat this by saying I don't like lasagna much anyway but equally wouldn't consider it particularly festive or very merry so would do my best to swerve it on boxing day even if it were the only veggie option.

I like doing nibbles (also hate the word though). I suppose it depends on your expectations.
My friends, it usually ends up about eight of us. I do a cheeseboard with some cold meats, olives and maybe bung something like potato wedges in the oven with dips.

But if you’re hosting and find veggie lasagne easier, just tell your friends you’d rather do that. If there’s anything else they can help with - sides, drinks or whatever, let them know.

Nothing wrong with both. Make your lasagna and add baguette or buns; let guests bring what they like to round it out. Suggest a couple salads and desserts and let them work it out on a group chat. Easy peasy. ☺️

YANBU. I find a main meal is easier.

If you eat meat yourself I think both a meat and a veggie lasagne would go down better than just veggie. 12 people is enough that I'd want to offer a couple of options anyway.

Why not both, and ask everyone to help with set up, top up and clear up?

Signed,
Vegetarian But Not a Fan of Lasagne

I would consider nibbles to be things that don’t need cooking, eg. crisps, nice bread, crudités, dips, cheese board, olives, so no need to be up and down

I prefer the nibbles route. Mini quiche, mini vege samosa, veg spring rolls, mac n cheese balls, cheese board. Just have to work out the timings and temps of cooking the nibbles (buy frozen ones)

If you are hosting, you decide.

Personally, I find nibbly bits get very expensive very quickly.

I think a lot of people expect a big buffet on Boxing Day. Cold meats, cheeseboard, pickles, pate. Lasagne just isn't the same.

I currently live in a country where it's very common to bring a 'share plate', which is basically what your fiends have suggested. I'm with you, I hate hosting like this as it's always such a hotch-potch of food (although on the plus side, it really does take the pressure off).

Lasagne, bread rolls, crisps, salad.

Lasagna is a popular Christmas dinner in the US, probably from Italian immigrants, so it makes perfect sense to me. I would do that, potluck for the rest. Cucumber salad as well in case anyone wants lighter fare.

I agree that nibbles are expensive and a faff to do.
A couple of prepared lasagnas, a salad and garlic bread if you want should be easier and I suspect cheaper.

Side note:
Isn't "picky bits" the new "nibbles" on here?

(Thank God last year's ruddy Butter Board craze died a natural death).

Where's the joy in a veggie lasagne? Come on, it's Christmas!

Cooking a big dish in advance is far easier on the host than doing lots and lots of little things, even if those little things are from packets. Especially if you want the table to look nice: you could sling packets of crisps and pots of hummus etc on the table as is, but if you want to host and be festive you’ll be pouring things into bowls, arranging cheeses and crackers, faffing, and all has to be done on the day in real time vs a lasagne prepped in advance. Plus it’s so spendy! One great thing is better than lots of OK things.

That said as a meat eater and lasagne lover I’d be quietly disappointed by a vegetarian lasagne, however good a cook you are. So dreary.

I have a question, we are a vegetarian house, I am doing a Turkey on the 25th and have ordered Wellington for the 26th the 27th is going to be the type of buffet OP describes, are cold meats really such a " thing"? Would people feel short-changed withput them ? Even when I ate meat I didn't buy ham so has never been a thing in my life.

'Vegetarian lasagna' is the most depressing meal ever.

I hate nibbles as a meal (I will eat almost any food but prefer a whole meal of one thing rather than a misc buffet).

I prefer to order pizza in if I have guests for a relaxed gathering.

Agree with this.

I think with twelve people, by the time you've done options and sides, you're going to be up and down to the kitchen/oven a fair bit anyway tbh

I think if you said you're doing veggie lasagne and then someone suggested everyone bring something, it means they don't like veggie lasagne. (I don't like lasagne at all, veggie or otherwise, so would probably suggest similar)

@Ascubudr I personally expect either bread and cold meat, or meat sandwiches on a buffet, unless I know it's a vegetarian buffet. Especially if you have people drinking, it's something with a bit more substance than just taking a polite number of mini quiche, etc, off a plate. Perfectly happy with shop bought sliced meat, or turkey/ gammon leftovers.

im with this^
i like nibbles and don’t like lasagna but with lasagna you know where you are as a host. You offer main to guests and then it’s on them to eat or not. With nibbles it’s more difficult to estimate how many and who will eat what and they tend to be expensive and/or require more effort.

An Italian colleague told me they always have a lasagne on Boxing Day. I think people have lots of picky bits etc so a lovely lasagne with fresh crisp salads. Maybe a cold dessert. Cheese and biscuits. I'd welcome that. Better than the inevitable cold turkey or turkey curry lol.

I really hate "nibbly" bits. It always ends up dull and over processed and a lot of wheat (I cant eat too much)

I dont get the love for this style of eating.

I would also prefer a main dish and salad. Especially as a host.

I see you and I raise you a mushroom risotto.