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?

I love this idea! I could also ask them to provide me their list and I would be happy to provide it all. Just want to make sure it's all food people want and will thoroughly enjoy ♥️♥️

You sound so judgmental and bitchy tbh 'lean and high energy' - really! Easily could have said small appetite

Then you describe people 'inhaling' all your snacks 'bloodbath' instead of you being a crap host. Then complaining about people eating

If you can't host graciously then don't host.

How do they fit in their tiny little flats or bedsits?

Poor word choice on my part, apologies! Did not mean to sound witchy. I think other posters are right than people ate so much last year because I really didn't put out a proper spread! Especially when the champers is flowing, it's easy to eat all the little nibbles because there wasn't a meal provided.

It sounds like your buffet was absolutely meagre. You sound like you have real issues with food OP. It is rude to imply your guests are big fat fuckers to expect to be fed at a party. It’s rude to not feed them enough.
Get a takeaway for NYE and get help for your disordered view on food and eating.

Not that it matters but I’m a U.K. size 8-10 so not someone who struggles with her weight and is triggered. I find the way you talk about your friends and food awful to be honest.

Pipers crisps and Kettle chips are lower oil content.

Always the Chilli con Carne suggestion on here lol
Np disrespect, but Isn’t everyone sick of that as just a normal go-to midweek dinner the rest of the year around?
xx

Yes, it seems like last year's buffet wasn't enough and I appreciate PP pointing that out. Not sure why you think I have food issues, I'm lean now after being overweight and borderline obese for years. Happy I got the weight off and am in a good place with food and exercise.

For NYE we do a daal at 7pm and anyone arriving later knows it’s just nibbles and drinks.

The daal originated from trying to meet all dietary requirements and also fill everyone up satisfactorily for what is actually quite a long evening!

I'm wondering if maybe last year people were expecting dinner. Finger food doesn't go very far if people haven't eaten anything before hand. If they know it's just finger food then they can plan accordingly.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with asking people to bring a plate. There's also nothing wrong with suggesting take away if you have enough seating for people to sit and eat it.

I’m on Mounjaro, I eat very little at the moment, but if you’re hosting, especially over NYE when people are drinking and want to graze through the night, there needs to be plenty of food. It doesn’t have to be beige stuff - the cheese & charcuterie are perfect, you could add marinated chicken drumsticks, smoked salmon/mackerel, tortilla wraps with guacamole, sour cream and more chicken to make wraps, stuffed baked potatoes. Pizza slices you probably won’t eat yourself but guests will enjoy, a rice salad? Perfectly fine to ask guests to bring something for the table in my opinion.

Yes I do like Piper's (the Chorizo is fab!!) although the French just do better flavours. Also reminds me of travels to France and the wonderful culinary culture.

Inviting people over and making them pay for a takeaway is kinda gross

Yes that seems likely. I am now scouring for a curry recipe and will likely do a roast chicken with trimmings, as well. Then there is a proper meal and later the nibbles can go with the champers.

Not sure if you were going for a "hilarious" writing exercise in your OP, it fell as flat as your lean non-imported crisp avoiding stomach.

For someone who would apparently never judge someone's eating habits, likening your guests to competitive eaters, talking about them "inhaling" and "gorging " whilst not knowing how to stop, comes across as pretty judgemental.

I think you sound lovely OP and I’d happily come to your NYE party, and bring a bottle, and some M&S snacks. If you’re providing champagne and other drinks, you are very generous and your friends will know that. I suspect the late start is the issue here, because some may have eaten, others who haven’t will be starving, and tend towards the “let’s soak up the alcohol” types of food. No one wants to get hammered within an hour of arriving.
Hope you have a wonderful evening!

Also. Imported crisps! I mean…. Why? 😂

What do they serve when you go to their houses?

It sounds like you've given up on culinary culture altogether in favour of your new 'lean' existence. Don't host.

The comments are judemental and bitchy, but don't apologise - I thought that's what an anonymous forum was for, to freely vent and express suppressed thoughts. It's like screaming into a void. We have to be so nice and polite in real life, so its good for the soul to have a good anonymous judgmental rant every now and again!

This can’t be real! Lean, high energy, you describe your guests like pigs. Who needs enemies aye

Thank you for your kind words. The Dom will be flowing and so will the curry and the roast chicken and the roast potatoes and the yorkies and the roasted brussel sprouts! Then the nibbles and the desserts 😀😀😀

I would do a chilli, one meat, one veggie. Both can be made the night before. Scrap the rice & just serve with nachos, sour cream, guacamole and grated cheese, or wedges are a good, filling option to serve with.

I’d have bowls of crisps, hummus, olives & nuts out before food is served, and then I’d put cheese, crackers, and bread out later in the evening, with grapes, celery etc.
You could also get some of the Aldi boxes of mini flapjacks / brownies for dessert, they’re inexpensive and good for those with a sweet tooth.

A shared takeaway is a bad idea

as you say crisps, nibbles and a couple of pizzas will be absolutely fine

i would send message out re this just so if people want to get something before hand they can or it could get messy

you do sound judgemental of your friends. Drop that and have a good night

It's NYE - for the love of god just throw some 3 for 2 party foods on platters, Doritos and dips and embrace the beige.

Half your guests will be doing the miserable veganuary and dry Jan and this is the last hurrah - even so, it's a celebration - leave the charcuterie to posh smaller events.