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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Hosting with 'nibbly bits' is a total pain

312 replies

Itsallfunngamesuntil · 18/12/2023 01:31

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

OP posts:
peakygold · 19/12/2023 17:54

I used to kill myself doing a buffet of 'nibbles' which seemed to constantly need topping up greedy bastards. Now, I do gammon, eggs and chips to fill them up, with a bowl of crisp later. I refuse to spend the whole of Christmas in the sodding kitchen.

HarrietPoole · 19/12/2023 17:57

ZuzuMyLittleGingersnap · 18/12/2023 04:41

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

Xmas Smile

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

Butter board?? What in the world was that?

RedToothBrush · 19/12/2023 18:00

peakygold · 19/12/2023 17:54

I used to kill myself doing a buffet of 'nibbles' which seemed to constantly need topping up greedy bastards. Now, I do gammon, eggs and chips to fill them up, with a bowl of crisp later. I refuse to spend the whole of Christmas in the sodding kitchen.

Hmm shove a joint in oven. Take out. Stick in fridge overnight. Carve.

Serve with bread and cheese and cold meats and a few dips.

And of course a MN massive salad.

This is not 'hours in the kitchen' unless you are doing something wrong (and lasagne takes longer to prep and cook!)

ginasevern · 19/12/2023 18:08

I also find nibbles a pain and not very satisfying. I'd rather just cook a one pot dish (curry for example) or as a pp said above cold cuts with some crusty bread, cheese and pickles.

buckeejit · 19/12/2023 18:13

I'd say why doesn't everyone bring some nibbly bits & a baking tray & you'll leave the oven on & they can be responsible for in & out & presenting Round. THAT would take the pressure off you

Bordesleyhills · 19/12/2023 18:20

mains with bread and salad… perfect

2ndMrsdeWinter · 19/12/2023 18:29

Controversial opinion but most pasta dishes are fairly depressing and I’d be making other plans. Not festive.

MeinKraft · 19/12/2023 18:32

PloddingAlong21 · 19/12/2023 07:14

send this in WhatsApp:

”chatting to a few of you we have a few votes for lasagne and some for nibbles. I will make a lasagne everyone can help themselves too with some plates with garlic bread. If everyone can bring some nibbles for over already made, or if you fancy don’t. Yourself, we can put those out too so we can share them and all have a pick of whatever we fancy. Look forward to seeing you”.

Do both. Spread the cost. Sorted.

Yes, send this and confuse them all. Then you can't be blamed when they appear and you've cooked neither lasagne nor party food!

Ilovecleaning · 19/12/2023 18:40

Erby · 18/12/2023 05:30

'Vegetarian lasagna' is the most depressing meal ever.

Please try Delia Smith’s Mediterranean Vegetarian lasagne. Absolutely delicious! But expensive to make imo and a bit of a faff. But I love it 😊 - and I’m a foodie😄

Twittens · 19/12/2023 18:52

Sorry if this has been said before… but how about a ‘nacho’ selection… make a meat chilli and a vege bean chilli, in advance, throw over tortillas, with salsa and cheese and bake serve with all dips and jalapeños separately… that way people can choose what they want… that way it’s a pre prepared dish… large quantities all in the oven at the same time, no dishing up, and technically ‘nibbles’

Islandgirl68 · 19/12/2023 19:02

Do what is right for you and the least stress, you need to enjoy it too. Nibbly bits are a pain and a faff, and end up quite expensive. A lasagne and Garlic bread sounds lovely.

fishonabicycle · 19/12/2023 19:03

I'll trump your vegetarians and am hosting 2 vegans for Xmas and boxing day. Tricky!

Luckylu123 · 19/12/2023 19:19

Actually I’m a meat eater and I’d much rather a vege lasagna than lots of bubbly bits. We spend all Christmas Day eating bits and pieces, it’s nice to have a solid meal again the next day.
nibs adds up way to fast money wise too. Plus they are fiddly to set up amd fiddly dishes to wash too.
And I’m with you a lasagna you can prepare now is much easier.
however sounds like your guests aren’t really into it. I’d suggest you ask your friends to bring all the bubbly bits and your contribution to the meal is the lasagna. Win win everyone happy

AnnieSnap · 19/12/2023 19:24

Erby · 18/12/2023 05:30

'Vegetarian lasagna' is the most depressing meal ever.

It really isn’t. A bad one may be, but that applies to any food. A good one is delicious

AmIEnough · 19/12/2023 19:30

I’m hosting boxing day and I’ve decided to do a chill, a fish, curry, rice and a lot of nachos, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, grated cheese, as well as a pizza for the little ones and a big cheeseboard, crispy bits and then desert

Angrycat2768 · 19/12/2023 20:13

fishonabicycle · 19/12/2023 19:03

I'll trump your vegetarians and am hosting 2 vegans for Xmas and boxing day. Tricky!

The lidl vegan Christmas wreath is bloody delicious if that helps.

Abbimae · 19/12/2023 20:17

Lasagne is soggy. No

KK05 · 19/12/2023 21:14

I wouldn’t mind either option but I do wonder if the people offering to bring nibbles maybe aren’t keen.
lasagne is a meal that people either love or hate and a veggie one might be not be to everyone’s taste.

How about you do the lasagne plus pizzas?

Then ask others to bring nibbles as sides, something to snack on, desserts etc?

MackEndSea · 19/12/2023 21:19

get eating your nibbles you absolute set of mice

I love veggie lasagne and always opt for it at the pub. I got a veggie fish once that was absolutely vile, tasted like cardboard but I do like veggie lasagne with chips and salad especially when they’re in little lasagne dishes that I can dip my chips in

PeloMom · 19/12/2023 21:28

I’d put variety of cheeses, some crackers, fruit, nuts, some deli meats for the non veg and cut up veg, crisps/chips and call it a day. This way no running up and down the oven

napody · 19/12/2023 21:40

Wow, I'd love a home cooked meal on Boxing Day!
Bizarre that MNetters are suddenly insisting that salty junk food (which is what shop bought picky bits are) is the way to go. Nothing wrong with salty junk food on occasion, but perhaps as a snack, not a meal replacement!

5128gap · 19/12/2023 21:42

I'd do a big pot of veg curry, rice and onion bhajis which goes down well after drinks. It would sit on the stove for people to help themselves. If anyone wanted to bring pre made buffet stuff that could be put out for people to snack on.

YungGrandma · 19/12/2023 21:45

100% agree, it’s quite a particular dish, I’d not be wanting it for the PP reasons stated. I know you’re trying to save some stress but how about you get loads of fruit, cheese and crackers, crisps and dips and bread sticks and hummus, pizzas and garlic breads which can be cooked beforehand and ask a couple of friends to help you keep an eye on the bits when they go in the oven?

Teenagehorrorbag · 19/12/2023 22:52

Got a similar number coming on the 28th. Planning cold beef and ham, salads and pickles etc, smoked salmon, bread rolls, mini sausage rolls and hot baby potatoes. Cheese and biscuits and grapes for pud. Easy, and everyone's happy.

Not sure what else I'd have to add for vegetarians - meat free quiche and sausage rolls perhaps? (No offence to vegans but that would be harder).

I agree with PPs that a veggie lasagne isn't everyone's favourite - but maybe that plus the 'nibbles' will give a good range?

At the end of the day they are hopefully coming to see you and have a social occasion - if they are going to moan about the food (a well made lasagne) it would be disappointing!

anon666 · 19/12/2023 23:02

I've gone for this exact option. A meal sat at a table rather than spending all night on and out of the oven, passing nibbles round, then throwing half away.

I've prepped all in advance so should be manageable.