Unexpected pizza host

[Poopgoestheweasel]

For reasons I won’t bore you with I have six adults and five kids age approx 8 coming on Friday evening for food and drinks. I’m so skint And time poor too. What’s the minimum I can offer? I think people will bring stuff but I don’t know what and I can’t ask.

Get a few of these (and perhaps some extra, nicer toppings to add on). Tell thd other adults you've dorted pizzas, and can they bring some sides/deserts to go with.

Thank you all so much. Really helpful xxx

Tortilla chips and dips can be a pretty cheap side, no additional oven space needed.

Chopped up carrots and cucumber and dip

Does it have to be pizza? Can you make something before and freeze?
Or do assemble your own pizza with optional toppings like pepperoni, mushroom, peppers, olives. Could work out quite cheap.

No!! I’ve done this, ok so made the dough and sauce and got the kids to do the toppings (did the adult ones myself), but it’s so much faff and mess. She doesn’t have time to do a jacket potato, let alone chop up stuff into little bowls, let everyone chuck what they want on it (one each, or do people have to put toppings on half a pizza), and then all the clean up!! Not to mention all the people in the kitchen!

It’s just pizza. Don’t get me wrong, I love hosting and cooking elaborate meals for small and big groups, but if I was invited to a Friday night at a friends for pizza, I would just expect pizza. I don’t mind spending money and making a lot of effort, but I’ve had such great times at others that just serve a few ready made pizzas on a Friday night. The kids are happy and fed, the adults can just chill, have a few drinks, grab a slice of pizza when they want. It’s the people that make it, and if the host has an easy time, minimal prep and clear up (and doesn’t have to worry about excessive cost) then they’ll enjoy the evening too, and it makes for a great night