What can our guests bring?

[MorgenMuffel]

My DB and his GF are coming to ours for a couple of days over the Christmas 'bubble' period. We are not expecting anything other than their company, but they have specifically asked us what we would like them to contribute. The obvious answer would be wine/beer but DH is in the wine trade so will sort that himself. I'm a massive baking fan so want to do cake/dessert. They will be driving (journey usually about an hour but who knows how long it will take this year) so don't want to suggest anything that needs to be kept cold. We've bought crackers and the obligatory tin of quality street.

Pleaae help wise mnetters!

Cheese and accompaniments?

Another vote for cheeses - no problem even for several hours at room temp. They could also bring dates, grapes, baklava, Turkish delight etc for dessert nibbles after Xmas dinner, especially for people who don’t like Xmas pudding or are too full and just want to ‘pick’ at small things.

Keep your crackers till next year. Ask them to bring crackers, napkins and all Christmas table settings.
Maybe a game for you to play together or prepare an activity if you are all game type people?

Christmas themed board game.
Posh box of chocs e.g Hotel Chocolat

If they are coming for a couple of days could they do a nice breakfast or boxing day lunch?

I'd let them do wine or desert as that is what normally happens. It isn't about wanting/being able to do it, it is about being a good host and accepting their offer to help and allowing them to feel they are helping with a worthwhile contribution.

Yes to cheeseboard
Soft drinks
Crisps / nuts / snacks
Fresh fruit

@Scarby9

Keep your crackers till next year. Ask them to bring crackers, napkins and all Christmas table settings. Maybe a game for you to play together or prepare an activity if you are all game type people?

Crackers and table settings etc seems a bit of a headache and quite a lot to ask guests. A game might be an idea but honestly I would leave it to them though mention that your dh would see to the wine.

We always take a continental breakfast - croissants, sliced meats and cheese, fruit, nice coffee and tea, jam and honey, champagne and fresh orange for bucks fizz.

I'd ask they either bring stuff for a particular meal eg a brunch or I also agree re cheeseboard. Cheese will stay plenty cold enough in the boot of the car. But do ask them to let you know so you're not buying in the same stuff.
Also say 'we have wine and beer (specify what), please bring a bottle of anything else you'd like to drink.'
I'd want to take both food and drink if I was going somewhere, best to be specific.

@HappydaysArehere I didn't think that was too tricky - non-perishable, available in garden centres everywhere or on line. Just trying to think of something that would make it them feel they had contributed.

We usually ask guests to bring something out of: cheese, pate, crackers (either kind), Christmas pudding, mince pies, drinks.

Yourselves are enough but if you're insisting then id love a poinsetta (insert flower or plant you'd like) or bring a bottle of fizz so we can toast your arrival

My DB one year came armed with a lovely candle for the table (I love candles and he h as obviously noticed my obsession ) , has also bought port and hotel chocolat chocs - all fairly easy to get and transport

You only have one tin of Quality Street? That'll never do There's only about 5 in there these days and they're all toffees and coffees. So I'd say at least some celebrations.

Crackers. A veg peeler (because they'll whinge about yours and they will be peeling stuff.) Non alcoholic drinks. How about stuff for cocktails? Board game (Really Nasty Horse Racing game). Biscuits.

Baileys or some other christmas type spirit? Big box of chocs (fancier ones than quality street)?

Board game

Cheese , snacks eg crisps , peanuts etc . Crackers to go with cheese . Panettone

I had the same dilemma when I went to my DFs house for 3 nights just before Christmas last year, was told not to worry about bringing anything as they had it all sorted, not wanting to come empty handed I bought some lovely macarons, posh crisps, pretzels and dips. Wasn't much but they were well received.

Oooh some great ideas here, thanks everyone 😀

Coffee and tablet. Bottle of port and stilton. Christmas cake.

Board game is a great idea. This year we've bought 'confident?' Hoping that's good.

A board game is great anyway. We played "Pass the Bomb" - hilarious.

Cheese
Smoked salmon
Or just give them a list of supermarket party food which you just chuck in the oven on Boxing Day when you cba to do any more like mini pies and so on.

Selection of cheeses and crackers. After Eights or Elizabeth Shaw mints. Fresh fruit to make fruit salad to go with your continental breakfast. A Xmas jigsaw puzzle.