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'd wager his other sim card.

Oh pull tnd other one of course you are judging all these people "gorging"!

😂 it would be fun to know the made up response though and I need to get out more 😬

No, DD will not be drinking and will drive them to the station as trains run overnight on NYE where we live (near Reading).

Good point

I really don't mind! It's a pleasure to host but I want to get it right as clearly last year was a bit of disaster.

Yuck that sounds disgusting. I eat very little too and Im very slim.
I just cant watch people stuff it down any more but then I never host and always contribute something nice.
Im not sure why you are hosting if you feel this way?
Tell everyone its an American pot luck and they need to bring food. I wouldn't bother putting out the nice stuff it doesn't sound like its appreciated. Id just go to Aldi or Lidl and get basic beige food.

so much depends on timing.
If they are coming round at a time when you would expect dinner, then you need to provide dinner, not nibbles.

The pot of chilli and rice and garlic bread satisfies the dinner.

But the trouble with NYE is that is goes on so long.
And if people are drinking they want more food too
So at about 10 or 11 you need to do a second round of food.

I would do chilli and rice earlier, and then later put out your spread of nibbles, cheese, fruit, crisps.
That way everyone is covered.

Yes, you do darling. Trolling my thread is a bit gauche, isn't it?

Do a load of jacket potatoes and bowls of fillings maybe? Curry, beans, chilli, cheeses

You can't make your imaginary daughter do that.

What is wrong with you, murasaki?

Has she got no friends she'd rather be with? Oh, I can't think why she doesn't, should she exist.

Chili is apparently very controversial! Jacket potatoes are good though.

Oh give over, this is all a bit of fun, she's trolling and people are responding in kind.

Not that you deserve a response but her friends are coming round to ours along with their parents. Please stop your trolling and inane comments.

Bet they're really Tayto though, and not El Superbo de Barcelona 🤣

You’re totally right, darling! What will you make for your lovely guests?

Its a bit late now but if you host again ask maybe your 5 closest friends to help you think about food and bring stuff.

Oh, are you going to pretend to feed them, too?

Doesn't look like fun to me.

She's replying with good grace, but you are bullying her.

Not chili, nor Doritos, nor a roast chicken. As the lovely ladies have pointed out, a curry or pizza might work well.

The bacon and sausage baps are on the menu but for after the fireworks. With the Maldon salt on hand, of course, for those who want it extra salty!

Just don’t host? Sounds like you hate them anyway so perhaps you should find some friends that share your values.

The comments are judgmental and bitchy? 🤣

I really don't. I recognize maybe my food issues came off a bit insensitive but I'm hosting so everyone has a good time and clearly my spread last year just wasn't cutting it! We share the same values and are a lovely bunch.