Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
TheBirdintheCave · 18/12/2023 08:58

I got everyone to contribute £5 and then husband and I took the money to Tesco and stocked up on bits from their party food section, It was FAR easier than having to cook from scratch and 1/3 of the group are vegetarians too (though I was peeved that four of them couldn't make it in the end and let me know on the morning of the party 🙄)

We call it Pick'n'Mix in our house, by the way :)

@AlwaysFreezing Ohhh no I love a mushroom risotto and I'm not even veggie haha.

Daffyyellow · 18/12/2023 09:00

I think the difference between the 2 comes down to:
cost (lasagne is less expensive),
convenience (lasagne can be prepped ahead)
the guests you are hosting
the style of meal you want (lasagne is sit down round a table versus buffet style for nibbles).

Boxing Day, I would rather a buffet with nibbles. With some guest lists this would also help split the cost/labour as it’s easy to divide the foods and ask different people for contributions - but that depends who you are hosting.

Sunshineboo · 18/12/2023 09:02

if you're doing cooked nibbles, it's worth looking for things that cook at the same temp. M&S has some nibbles on four for three at the moment and I've been really impressed as they all take the same temperature oven, and the same amount of time (with a few exceptions are a bit longer)

It infuriates me when levels require different temperatures to cook as you're in and out the oven all the time enough!

PickledPurplePickle · 18/12/2023 09:04

Picky bits every time

ask everyone to bring something

Teddleshon · 18/12/2023 09:05

One of my pet hates is when someone decides we should all bring “nibbles” to a picnic type event rather than actual main dishes. I find them so much more time consuming to make and difficult to transport in qualities. So much easier to do one big platter / bowl of something.

Thewolvesarerunningagain · 18/12/2023 09:06

Missing point of thread but, watching a grown man casually folding a slice of salami into the humus and using it as a scoop at a recent do has cured my desire to ever eat nibbles again. 🤮

Compromise with lasagna bites?

Benibidibici · 18/12/2023 09:07

I never understand why people think lasagne can be prepared "a few days in advance". Its never as nice when it's been frozen & then cooked, its just sludgy & loses texture.

Its also quite a heavy meal, i think a lot of people want something lighter/less stodgy on boxing day.

lap90 · 18/12/2023 09:13

Your friends have said your veggie lasagne is the nicest they've eaten yet have suggested nibbles.

I'd go with nibbles then. I'm assuming they'll all bring something too.

namethisbird · 18/12/2023 09:15

I would do cheese and charcuterie boards with festive nibbles.

The majority of M&S party food is cooked at the same temperature so it’s just the timings you need to consider.

Babybearissleeping · 18/12/2023 09:17

I love 'nibbles' but the are a pain to cook especially for a crowd and get expensive quickly.

If I was hosting I'd go veggie lasagne sounds delicious op!

margotrose · 18/12/2023 09:18

lap90 · 18/12/2023 09:13

Your friends have said your veggie lasagne is the nicest they've eaten yet have suggested nibbles.

I'd go with nibbles then. I'm assuming they'll all bring something too.

Yep, I think it's pretty obvious they don't want lasagna 🫣

PhulNana · 18/12/2023 09:19

I won't say 'nibbles'. Small savoury items. If you say 'picky bits' I'll never speak to you again.

Original poster
Itsallfunngamesuntil · 18/12/2023 09:19

Benibidibici · 18/12/2023 09:07

I never understand why people think lasagne can be prepared "a few days in advance". Its never as nice when it's been frozen & then cooked, its just sludgy & loses texture.

Its also quite a heavy meal, i think a lot of people want something lighter/less stodgy on boxing day.

I'll prep it on Sat night or sunday night and we will eat it on Tuesday. I won't be freezing it before boxing day

I agree....never as nice if frozen

OP posts:
DidiAskYouThough · 18/12/2023 09:22

@Ascubudr you're cooking turkey for your vegetarian household?

What's on the lasagne OP? Smooshy vegetables? Fake meat? Lentils? (The thought of any of those with gloopy sauce and soggy pasta sheets makes me queasy)

PhulNana · 18/12/2023 09:24

Babybearissleeping · 18/12/2023 09:17

I love 'nibbles' but the are a pain to cook especially for a crowd and get expensive quickly.

If I was hosting I'd go veggie lasagne sounds delicious op!

I love a decent lentil and veg lasagna with a properly done besciamella. If that was my house, and I did feel people were slagging it off, I might say 'If you don't like what I'm offering, perhaps see what is open on Boxing Day? You might like KFC? Oh and have a lovely New Year!'. Tinkly laugh...

ShirleyPhallus · 18/12/2023 09:26

Beige party food is horrible, everything tastes dry and processed and such a weird mix of cuisines.

chacuterie, cheese, bread etc or a homemade lasagne much nicer!

Original poster
Itsallfunngamesuntil · 18/12/2023 09:27

margotrose · 18/12/2023 09:18

Yep, I think it's pretty obvious they don't want lasagna 🫣

Show quote history

Not at all ...they were genuinely trying to be helpful (well I'm 99pc sure that is the case lol)

My aibu was more about throwing numerous bits of beige food in the oven etc is a lot more of a hassle and time consuming and less relaxing on the day

OP posts:
Original poster
Itsallfunngamesuntil · 18/12/2023 09:28

DidiAskYouThough · 18/12/2023 09:22

@Ascubudr you're cooking turkey for your vegetarian household?

What's on the lasagne OP? Smooshy vegetables? Fake meat? Lentils? (The thought of any of those with gloopy sauce and soggy pasta sheets makes me queasy)

My family is definitely not vegetarian lol. I had said some of my friends are

OP posts:
ShirleyPhallus · 18/12/2023 09:29

Sunshineboo · 18/12/2023 09:02

if you're doing cooked nibbles, it's worth looking for things that cook at the same temp. M&S has some nibbles on four for three at the moment and I've been really impressed as they all take the same temperature oven, and the same amount of time (with a few exceptions are a bit longer)

It infuriates me when levels require different temperatures to cook as you're in and out the oven all the time enough!

You know you can pretty much cook all the stuff at the same temp anyway, then adjust the timings a bit. Most of it is precooked anyway so you’re just heating it up. Doesn’t really matter if it’s 180 for 10 mins or 200 for 8 mins etc etc

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 18/12/2023 09:29

I absolutely love lasagne (veggie, with meat, fish etc. All fab 🤤). I’d therefore prefer the lasagne.

But you’re the host. You should therefore do what works for you (as long as it’s reasonable). your friends could bring salads, pudding, soups etc. and it will still be a shared plate kind of meal.

margotrose · 18/12/2023 09:29

OP, in the nicest way, I don't think they'd have suggested nibbly bits if that's not what they wanted.

People don't generally suggest you cook something they don't like Confused

MyBigFatGreekSalad · 18/12/2023 09:30

Surely nibbly bits is so much easier?!

Cheese and crackers
Olives
Veggie sticks and hummus
Greek salad
Nice bread and balsamic oil dip
Some beige bits like mini scotch eggs, mini sausages etc.

Notreallyawaitress · 18/12/2023 09:36

I can’t believe the amount of people saying they hate lasagne. It’s always a massive treat having a homemade one as it’s quite a lot of work.

Hoolahoophop · 18/12/2023 09:38

I'd much prefer to make the lasangna as a host. So much easier. I do love a buffet, but not for a crowd unless its catered by someone other than me. I'm also hosing christmas and boxing day this year for similar numbers. We are having pulled pork, mac and cheese and some bun's coleslaw boxing day. Because its more relaxed than the roast from the day before, but really easy to prepare so I will get a bit of a rest.

PhulNana · 18/12/2023 09:39

Notreallyawaitress · 18/12/2023 09:36

I can’t believe the amount of people saying they hate lasagne. It’s always a massive treat having a homemade one as it’s quite a lot of work.

I suppose there's no accounting for taste, and some Mumsnetters will pile on to any topic, especially first thing on Monday. Particularly culinary philistines?