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

Nibbles are good because there should be something that everyone likes, even if not everyone likes everything. Plus it takes the pressure and expense off you.

I come from a family where nobody likes to eat cheese (can’t relate) so lasagne would lead to lots of disappointment. I appreciate that most people love cheese, however.

I’d be more than happy with your lasagne and some garlic bread.

you could even just say to guests: I’ll take care of the hot nibbles, could you bring other stuff.

Honestly op I think a lot of people have missed that you will have cooked for these guests the day before and that you’re working around Christmas so don’t have huge amounts of time.

If you’re convinced your guests will enjoy your veggie lasagne (and you already have other bits in the form of leftover turkey etc) then just ask people to bring salad/garlic bread etc.

For what it’s worth I love a picky Boxing Day lunch but it’s a real faff (and expensive) and I wouldn’t want to do one after catering on Christmas Day as well

I think the reason people are saying "no" to lasagna is more that they probably wouldn't fancy a second day with a big sit down meal and a heavy main course.

I much prefer to just pick at food on Boxing Day as I'm normally still a bit stuffed and don't want to be faced with a massive plate of food.

Personally I wouldnt want another sit down meal after Christmas day meal. Our family much prefer picky bits on boxing day. I love lasagne (not vegetarian though) but it certainly wouldnt be my choice for boxing day. Picky bits are easier if they are mostly cold and how is it any more work for you if the friends have offered to bring them?

Buffet style is easier! Just group everything that goes on the same heat onto one tray, set a bunch of named timers on Alexa to tell you what to take out when. Anything on a slightly lower heat, shove in at the same time but on the bottom shelf where its cooler and just check when you take the other stuff out.

I'd do lasagne and cold picky bits!

Presumably they’re offering to bring stuff?

Why don’t you say, Thanks all, that would be great - please do bring a dish for a buffet but nothing that has to go in the oven please - I’ll make soup and hot bread to go with the cold stuff.

There’s no obligation on you to do 100 types of beige oven food.

Unless the nibbly bits are all prepped in advance & served cold I find they're more faff to prepare than a main - constantly setting oven timers, less time with guests, etc.

I love nibbles and while you can put some stuff in the oven, equally if people are happy to bring bits I'd expect them to be bringing things that do not need to be cooked - eg, if it were me, I'd be bringing easy things like cheese & pineapple on sticks, hummus & crisps, packs of dip, bread, fresh salad.

I'd also rather eat almost anything than lasagne too, in all honesty, it's one of the things I'd be disappointed about someone serving if I went over for dinner! I have no idea why so many people see to like it so much.

Could you do quiche for vegetarians or vegetable curry then have baked potatoes

That's my plan on BD with turkey and I will do salads and homemade coleslaw

May make a quiche

It's still hard work but more flexible than CD for me.

No vegetarians

I agree re nibble bits being a massive pain, but more importantly I want your lasagne recipe :-D

Drinks and sipsies? Christ on a bike.

Wonder if it was my former neighbour, famous in our neck of the woods for issuing invites to "casual kitchen sups".

😆

I would do one meat and one veg lasagna with garlic bread and salad, and then cold meats/cheese/ crusty bread/pickles/ pugs in blankets and lots of coleslaw and salads .

I am happy to eat either, but to be honest I like to have a hot dish with a meal, and don't like buffet of bits for the main meal.

I don't get all the hate about veggie lasagne, makes me think that people haven't had a tasty one.
I also don't get th eidea that a lasange is 'too heavy' just eat a bit less of it with more salad!

and yes, a buffet if bits is a LOT more work than one main dish

I think the phrase is “sups and sips”

I mean this gently, but as much as they all said they love the lasnage, the fact many are basically asking you not to make it, would indicate otherwise. Usually if you’re making something folks love, they go oh fantastic, look forward to that, not no thanks. With the polite, it’s just to try to make it easier for you .

do they mean theyll all bring a dish /platter so you dont have to do-it all? if not nibbles is way more work!

The terms "picky bits" and "nibbly bits" make me die inside.

I never knew salmon could mone 🤣🤣🤣

Ugh to cold "nibbles". I'd much prefer a lasagne. And I agree far less faff.

However, it is clear that opinion is divided...

Ah, come on it's par for the course that Boxing Day is another big eating day. People are stuffing themselves with leftover turkey and stuffing sandwiches and mince pies at the least. Typical Boxing Day fare is pie, cold meats, sausage rolls, trifle, Christmas cake- pretty heavy and rich food still. Lasagne would go down well with me as something totally different than I'd eaten the day before. Sounds great, OP.

Lots of friends suggesting that we can all do nibbles

Have you misread the suggestion? I read it as a kind of "everyone is offering to bring a dish" - is that not the case?

Lasagne but definitely not with bread rolls and salad . Why do people in the UK do this??
Antipasti of olives, cheese, salami, sun dried tomatoes , etc upon guests arrival would also be nice