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?

Personally I try to only eat sourdough. Do you have any starter? It would make a good bacon sandwich for the bells.

Well don't host tnen. What you see as "gorging" sounds like normal eating at a party. Have you got an eating disorder?

No judgement, I lived in a flat for many years. Honestly it's just the reality of living in London!

Oh you’re not a cunt, you’re just a troll. What a relief!

Waiting for the deletion message.

You keep saying super judgey things then when you’re called up on it you say no judgement…

Oh, it would! Holds up well to the sauces (ketchup for me!). I don't usually make it because you need to use the oven and I prefer the bread maker.

It feels like you’re pretending to be Amanda from motherland. It’s all too cringe

It's good to know there really isn't someone that shitty out there in the wild.

You sound as if you have orthorrexia. I'm not overweight at all but I would find your attitude very offputting. It is rude to judge your guests and it sounds as if you are the one with the skewed idea, not them.

Brets Salt and Vinegar Chips have 3x the amount of fat as walkers salt and vinegar...

Your faux sophistication isnt hiding your food disorder judgment. I bet you all the poor bedsit people think of you as the former fat person who is stingy and judgy with her imported crisps.

I get loving yourself and taking care of yourself, but you don't have to tell yourself you're better than other people to feel that way. It makes you an unpleasant person. Even if you don't say it, people know how you feel.

I think you sound lovely OP. People aren’t reading your updates where you’ve happily taken on board all the constructive suggestions, they’re just reading the OP and jumping straight to criticism.

Hope you’re ok!

I don't know who or what that is? My kids have called me cringe many times so guilty as charged 👩‍⚖️

Do you have a special two dozen roll setting on your bread maker?

Why don’t you just make a large batch of chilli and rice but it out for people to serve themselves with some chilli Doritos / sour cream etc then later on do a cheese / fruit platter

Well this is an anonymous forum so these are anonymous thoughts. I've never said this to my friends out loud, that's just poor form.

I bet she eats walkers crisps by the bagful in her pants.

Doesn't everyone?

😂

Here is an example of what I recently served when hosting a meal. Starters chicken wings, paneer ( cottage cheese) tikkas, small veg & meat samosa’s, cheese platter, cold cuts, smoked salmon etc. Mains I made a large meat pie and a veg pie, lots of garlic baguettes, roast beef thinly sliced with roast potatoes, and lamb biryani/ a vegetable biryani, served with yoghurt, salad and pappadums. And dessert- a chocolate cake, tiramisu, new york cheese cake. You need to provide enough drink to go with above mentioned food.

@CrypticField mine only has a nut and seed dispenser. I’ve obviously missed a revolution or two. Darn it.

I was coveting a pie maker earlier, perhaps that would be useful, you could make a few dozen chicken pies?

You lost me at imported European crisps

The bread maker makes the dough which you then put into the oven. I don't think any bread makers can make rolls, it just makes loaves? Odd question.

Can I come to your party please? Sounds amazing!

You really need to try Bret's! In addition to all the fab British crisps we have in this country 🇬🇧