To ask how you host?!

[PassTheNote]

Recently moved to a rural community, everyone has been very welcoming and I'd love to host a get-together for the neighbours (apparently this is the done thing for newbies to the village and would put us in a good light).

I've never hosted anything before, our previous house was tiny and shit. And neighbours barely made eye contact let alone conversation.

Do I do a daytime thing? Weekend? Provide food? Drink? Where do I 'entertain' - the kitchen, living room?! Do I show people around the house??

I'm out of my depth! Would look to invite maybe 30 people.

Should I wait for better weather and host a bbq? I'm clueless, help!

Have you got Kids? Could you do an Easter Egg hunt in a few weeks time?

Keep it relaxed. No need to show people the house! Go for Friday drinks and nibbles - crisps etc. you’re not going to spend a fortune on food for people you hardly know at this stage. Have enough booze in case it goes in late, but cross your fingers and hope they’re all gone by 10 or 11. Be clear that is it drinks (not food) so that everyone knows to eat beforehand. And have fun

If you’re not used to hosting, I would do late afternoon drinks and nibbles (and state that so people know they can go home for dinner). You don’t want to be cooking dinner for 30 people if you’ve not done it before. Get a selection of drinks, crisps, olives, nothing too substantial. The point is to talk to people, so don’t get stuck in the kitchen. If the weather is nice move the drinks outside, if not keep the drinks in the kitchen and spread the nibbles out in the main rooms if the kitchen isn’t big enough. Don’t over think it or make it too complicated, something relaxed, no house tours, no games, just general conversation.

Good advice from Fagli.

Paper plates and cups are useful.

Have enough seating for at least half the number of guests if possible dotted around the garden/lounge - borrow some folding chairs or garden chairs from a neighbour?

Stick a welcome sign on your door!

I would (and did) wait until the weather warms up and do a garden party - drinks, sandwich platters + all the trimmings, a few outdoor games set up and so on.
Just make sure you have plenty of seating; if they're coming themselves neighbours will almost certainly be happy to lend their garden chairs, and a pop-up gazebo might be nice

I was in a complete panic because many hadn't repiled on the run-up, but everyone came in the end and had a whale of a time

No kids

Thanks so much everyone!

Brilliant, I'll keep it relaxed and chilled, really appreciate the suggestions.

Give a start and end time, eg ‘drinks and light snacks 5-7pm’ or if you aren’t doing a full bar (I wouldn’t) and want to manage expectations say something like ‘drop in for a glass of wine between 5 and 7’

Be prepared for people to ask for a tour!!

Do a BBQ in the summer

You’re more generous than me!

Just invite them for s drink and serve some small bites