To Ask Guests To Bring NYE Food?

[ChicMintUser]

AIBU to ask guests to bring food to my NYE party?

I’m hosting NYE this year and I’m already dreading the sheer volume of foods I’ll need to buy. I’ve always been high-energy and very lean (I prioritize fitness and honestly, my body just doesn't require much fuel to thrive. I intermittent fast from 5 pm to noon the following day).

The problem is my guests. They are lovely people, but they seem to treat New Year’s Eve like a competitive eating trial. Last year was a bloodbath, I put out what I thought was a generous spread and it was inhaled within twenty minutes. I'm talking platters of cheese, fresh fruit, delicious charcuterie, imported European crisps, sandwiches, etc. By 11 pm people were looking at the empty platters like I was starving them, despite the fact they’d already consumed more calories in one sitting than I do in three days.

I want to be a good host, but my internal gauge for "normal" portions is clearly broken compared to the average person. I find the sight of mountains of beige food quite off-putting, to be honest. I don't want to spend my evening watching people descend into a food coma while I’m trying to actually celebrate.

How do those of you with "normal" appetites handle catering for the "bottomless pit" crowd?
Do I just buy out the local Costco and accept the waste? How many sausage rolls per person is considered "enough" for people who don't know when to stop?

Am I a total Scrooge for wanting to serve elegant, light nibbles rather than a buffet that looks like a Viking feast? I just can’t wrap my head around needing that much fuel to simply sit in a living room and wait for a clock to strike twelve.

Is it unreasonable to ask guests to bring the snacks they like instead of buying a pile of food I would never, ever eat?

Provide your nibbles and some drinks.
Ask the guests to each bring some nibbles or cheese/fruit platters to share.

Have the BBQ on for a while and cook up sausages, Shish Kebabs and rissoles.
Prepare some cheese toasties to toast later on.

I'll admit I haven't read the full thread so I might be wrong but I am someone who both rarely hosts and has an eating disorder - I feel like you might be a similar person?

I had a house party a few months ago and was so worried about what to provide (as, like you, I have zero concept of normal!) that I posted on here for advice and got what seemed like a great menu. I spent SO much money and almost nobody ate a thing! I was mortified, horrified by the waste of money and just wanted to cry. I don't think there was anything wrong with the food (I do think I put it in the wrong room away from where people were chatting) but it wasn't a meal time and they just drank and picked at bits. But then you get experiences like yours where you run out. It seems unpredictable and like you can't win either way tbh!

I think I agree with the suggestion of doing what you did before but doubling the amount. Or you could do what the hosts I'm going to this year are doing and cook an actual meal (will still be self serve style but a full meal at a set time and then no more food around). That would probably be a lot cheaper for you and fill people up.

We do NYE parties at 9pm and after for arrivals. We host every year and just do a cheese board, crisps, sausage rolls. Then I'll make cocktails and everyone brings their own drink. No need for fork out !

We had about 25/30 people for nibbles/drinks after carols in our local tiny church. (People didn't need to go to the carols!)

I knew some would have eaten earlier but as we started about 5.30 wanted to provide food for those who wouldn't be eating that night.

Bit trad (would normally work on a theme - mezze/tapas/Mexican/Greek) but went down well. In addition to canapes that were handed round at intervals, I cooked and thinly sliced a gammon joint and did some twice baked half potatoes as well as a cheeseboard.

Mini mince pies and shortbread and some dates were all I provided for pudding. Kept everyone going through a long and fun evening.

How many guests are you having, and are they expecting a sit down dinner or a party food/ nibbles soiree?
You can't really do a roast and a chilli or curry can you?
I haven't read all the replies so sorry if you've answered already.

A few baguettes and various cheese. A shed load of sausage rolls. My midnight nobody will care. 😂

A good start - just the right pretentious and judgemental wording to whip up frenzy on several fronts.

But alas, subsequent posts have revealed inconsistencies and a bit of jumping of the shark.

Still, it's a 3/5 for effort and mild entertainment.

I've caught up a little I think, the best idea is bacon rolls after the fireworks, Kate moss did it at her wedding 👌

Won't your guests have already eaten by 9pm though? Unless they're expecting a sit down dinner maybe just triple the nibbles from last year and do the bacon rolls.
You can always keep things back if you think you've got too much.

Also...are you serving the crisps in packets? else how will anyone know they're imported?

Haven't you heard of the MN chicken? Get a couple of those, feeds a family of 4 three main meals and leftovers for sandwiches. And a panful of soup on Tuesday.
Have a great evening OP.
And the 15 mins I spent doom scrolling Amazon for Brets crisps is time I’ll never get back!

Lasagne is another crowd pleaser that’s easy enough to just reheat and could be eaten stood up at a party. Throw in a few garlic breads and salad too.

Such a Mumsnet classic post this. Why bother hosting at all?

You could tell them you’re providing a light buffet so eat first. As long as people are aware of the arrangements that’s fine. But nothing wrong with asking them to bring certain items. I’d be happy to be told I was providing crisps and dips for example. Much better than everyone showing up with same thing then it does go to waste.

I’m seriously starting to doubt this is genuine, but if it is, I’m so glad my friends are happy to open a packet of Pringles and sausage rolls, and then we just have a really good time. You sound like such a snob.

I'm convinced it's Charlotte Tilbury

I dunno OP, a roast dinner at a NYE party sounds wrong to me. It’s a NYE party not a Sunday afternoon! Nibbles - better and more party like.
@ChicMintUser

Well, you best nip out and get some, dude. Shops are open today, no worries 🙂

Whack a few pickled onion Monster Munch next to the chips jambon de pays and your pals will be happy enough.

OP is serving “elegant nibbles” including “European imported crisps” (which she buys from Amazon, so glam!)

Op, I love how you say “Not a comment on their eating habits as I used to be bigger so I would never judge someone's eating habits.”

But in your first post you made all of these comments…. It really feels like you are very much “commenting on their eating habits” and “judging someone’s eating habits.”

By 11 pm people were looking at the empty platters like I was starving them, despite the fact they’d already consumed more calories in one sitting than I do in three days.
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I don't want to spend my evening watching people descend into a food coma
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the "bottomless pit" crowd?
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How many sausage rolls per person is considered "enough" for people who don't know when to stop?
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can't stand big piles of beige food or gorging.
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Yes…that’s the point.

I’m concerned how few people got that this was a piss take.

We often do this we make a list of what needs bringing and people sign up to bring it (plus drinks!)
Spreads the workload as well as the cost. The only thing is everyone coming back to collect dishes 😔 very the next coming weeks :)

She's an utter fatpot.

I think @opit would help if you actually said how many guests you cater for? Then the context of how much they were actually eating would make sense.

On the whole though, people can be general greedy fuckers at buffets with no thought to anyone else, and no it's not always a case of being undercatered for. I always remember somewhere I worked who used to put on a buffet that got devoured leaving those last with the "leftovers ". People would pile their plates high not thinking someone else might like some. Then the place introduced a system where they were served rather than helped themselves and funnily enough there was plenty to go around! They still left the buffet table with a nice big generous plate of food after being served so it just showed some people are just greedy pigs.

If someone isn't rocking up to a party until 9pm where there is some food and they've eaten, it sounds kind of pathetic to think of themselves as a starving waif because they can't stuff their face for a couple more hours. If their appetite is that big then they should have a normal dinner before the party and see the party buffet as an extra. I imagine these are the same people who make a 5 story building on their plate at a carvery.

Any form of critical thinking... gone.

They have no friends. Only imaginary Dom with imaginary imported crisps.