Drinks with friends

[Gateway100]

We‘ve recently renovated our house. We‘ve also asked our neighbours to cat sit over Easter. They‘d like to see the results of the renovation, and also get the info/key for catsitting.

So we‘ve invited them over for a drink on Sunday at 5pm. I‘ve got in beers for the men, prosecco for the women (I know these are their drinks of choice) and Capri Sun for the kids. I‘ve also got a few types of crisps, and a small Italian antipasti platter.

I think this is fine. DH thinks we should offer more. What do you think? What would you offer? We very rarely have people over (I‘m a bit too antisocial) and I don’t know what the done thing is.

I'd get some wine in too. White and Rose.

Have you made the ‘end point’ clear? If not, there could be an expectation that you’ll be providing more food than a small antipasti platter!

I’d definitely be providing more food - a cheese board and some nice bread, and some nice nibbley things from M&S, perhaps.

If I was invited over at 5pm with my kids I'd assume we would be getting fed an evening meal (even if it's a buffet/light bites or takeaway situation). Unless explicitly told something like it's just drinks and a light snack and just for one hour or something. My kids are young though and need their evening meal between about 5 and 6.30pm as they're in bed by 7.30-8.30.

I think what you've got is fine as long as you're very clear that it's just pre dinner drinks for x amount of time.

We said come over for a drink so I can‘t imagine they would expect dinner

The kids are 12 and 14, not sure if they will actually come or not

If I invite my neighbours over for a drink, they invariably don’t go home until way after 11pm! (Which is great - but means that we do provide some kind of food)

If you don’t want to be providing food, you need to make it clear what time they need to leave.

I would have some plenty of sausage rolls ready to shove in the oven.

You have invited them for a drink not a buffet/ meal so I think what you have suggested is fine.
If you want / decide to add more perhaps some dips and kettle chips .
Just in case they stay later than you / they planned a bag of frozen oven chips and a loaf of bread will feed quite a few people chip butties with very little fuss.

I didn‘t mention we are in Germany because I didn‘t think it was relevant 😂 I almost want to whip up some chip butties just to see the looks on their faces 😂

I‘ll make sure I have something on standby just in case they stay longer. Thanks for all the tips!

If I was invited at 5pm on a sunday for a drink with a neighbour, I 100% would NOT expect to be getting a meal. A few drinks and some nibbles. Totally fine. If, of course, it turns into a riotious evening of fun, then sure, have something ready to go or a takeaway menu on standby but I would NOT be expecting more.

maybe wine, you can keep it for another time if it doesn’t get drunk.
Also adult soft drinks maybe just in case someone isn’t drinking.
Also agree with PP about food, 5pm is a tricky time especially for kids, and if people are drinking they’re going to want to soak up the alcohol. Unless you’ve made it clear it’s drinks only for an hour or two then you need to provide more food. A pizza buffet could work.

What you have is fine. If you enjoy their company and would be happy for them have them stay, have a stash of nice pizzas at the ready, if they stay longer pop them in the oven. If you have a 12 and 14 year old there pizzas will usually get demolished. I know it’s not clear if the children will come but 12 and 14 year olds might prefer a Coke to a capri sun, or just some juice and sparkling water.

Well now you have to make chip butties 😀