Do you want to know a secret...

[VoldemortsNipple]

Dh's brother and two nephews are coming over from Ireland for a surprise visit between 28th and 31st December. :o

His brother won't know either until Christmas Day but will then keep quiet until they turn up on our doorstep. We love having his brother over and they are all very easy going. Just throw them a quilt and they will sleep anywhere, eat anything and go anywhere so no problems on that front.

So I'm thinking of throwing a small family party while they are here. But how am I going to organise it without dh knowing or getting suspicious. Do I let DHs family know or surprise them too. Do you think it would be easier to make some hot buffet food and freeze it or maybe serve a big pan of curry.

Ah after all the threads moaning about rellies this is lovely - just tell dh you fancy inviting family and friends over without mentioning DB - throw together a curry and jacket potatoes (easier to eat and veggies can just have humour/cheese etc and some of the big packs of Indian nibbles from Iceland - easy party everyone happy.

That's a definate maybe on the curry and jacket spuds.

But do I tell the rest of the family about a surprise visit or keep quiet :)

Noooo, keep it a secret

OOOh, that's lovely, and I am with BOFingSanta, you keep it a secret for everyone.

Oooh sounds good !
If it was me, I'd let the other family know, in case they have other plans or make other plans.

And make them swear of pain of flailing that they don't spill the beans

I always do buffets and decided to try a hot one last time for bonfire night, i invested in a second cheap slow cooker and done a joint of pork in one for hot beef sarnies with stuffing and a curry in the other then done some jackets and nann breads in the oven with frozen rice. Its really easy and done in advance. Just tell him your making a buffet tea for friends.

Good idea about organising one with friends and keeping it a secret. Sounds great and they sound like my family,very laid back

Keep it secret if you can. Dont tell the family but if anyone says they cant make it for some reason, maybe quietly tell them that there is a really exciting surprise and would love for them to come to enjoy the 'surprise'.

Oh, and another vote for curry & jacket potatoes

secret for everyone!! I love this stuff!

Secret for everyone but be open about having a family get-together.

Secret for all - and then come back and tell us all about it to cheer up those early January days!

Ok secret for everybody. I think apart from BIL as he works in care and has his time off at Christmas issued to him so I will have to work around him.

I am off work all week this week so I could get some food prepared and frozen. Dh only looks in the freezer for ice cream so he really wouldn't notice :o

Off to look for some nice freezable recipes.

Oooh, so exciting ! Would love to hear how it goes !

I would keep the visit a secret but be open about the party, unless dh is a catering genius he won't notice the extra three portions, it will be much easier to arrange if they all know they are expected at the gathering, but the reason will be your little secret. If you keep the party a secret too then they are going to be really suspicious about why it was a secret if they find out they are all coincidently invited to you on a certain day. Someone is bound to let slip to dh too unless it were his birthday or something.

Well.... They're on their way :) :) :)
Dh hasn't got a clue. He's tucked up in bed an BIL and DNS are waiting to board their plane. They are due to arrive at our house at about 8.45 :o

How lovely!
Hope you all have a great time together

Enjoy!

I hope they have arrived by now! :)