Help please---visitors over Xmas!!

gilly41

We moved to our new house in September. Most of our family and friends havent been to see us yet so we have invited a few round over Xmas!!!!!!I am really not a very good hostess---I honestly dont enjoy cooking or baking and as much as i enjoy people visiting I dont know what to make them to eat.I am going to ask them over after lunch time(they are coming on separate days so not loads of people the same day). What sort of things can I offer them? Also will i need to get in some drinks as OH and I dont really drink much? or just tea/coffee/juice? Thanks for any tips!!!xx

chuckles1066

gilly41 wrote: »

We moved to our new house in September. Most of our family and friends havent been to see us yet so we have invited a few round over Xmas!!!!!!

LOL, you see, there's your mistake, right there!! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

And I think, deep down, you know it.............!!

patchwork_cat

HI
Do you prefer them to come on different days? I prefer open house and get it over and done with! Do a small buffet - sandwiches - got to be Turkey! pickles, cold pizza, pasta and rice salad, cakes. Are people driving ? I think that really yes some wine and beer for drinks, but not a lot encourage soft drinks.

Bobbykins

Blimey Gilly - the world's yer oyster on this one! You could do loads of stuff or just a little bit, depends on the people coming and how long they will be staying.

as it's after lunch, I shouldn't think they'll be expecting anything enormous. I suggest just a few nibbles, keep it really light.

Again, depends on who's coming but I would suggest maybe a bit of wine or beer.....oooooh, just thought, how about a cheese and wine thing? Couple of bottles of wine, a selection of cheeses and some biscuits. Big bowl of fresh fruit, maybe?

Alternatively, if they're the sort of people who don't really drink much, then tea/coffee and a few nice cakes/biscuits would be fine. Between Christmas and New Year, I find most people are so stuffed with food they can't manage much else!

Good luck, I'm sure it will be fine

Penny-Pincher!!

sandwiches
sausage rolls
quiche
curry & rice?
pizza
pasta salad
sausage on sticks
cheese/pineapple sticks

gilly41

Thanks for all the replies.Sorry Chuckles I dont know what you mean by your reply??We have moved out of town and both work so we havent had chance to have many people over yet!!! Not sure if that is what you meant???Again thanks for all the great tips!!x

Bogof_Babe

You could get a 3L box of Hock from Sainsburys for around £8, which does about 15 glasses so you don't have to have a new bottle for each batch of visitors.

As you say "after lunch", will your guests know what to expect foodwise? If you are literally wording it as "after lunch" then they will presumably eat before coming, but if you say e.g. 2.00 p.m. then they might turn up quite hungry, so I'd be sure they know what sort of occasion it will be. I'd suggest something like "light afternoon tea", and provide some sliced ham, cheese, crusty bread, butter, pickles, and a bit of salad. Also a box of mince pies, or home made if you are that way inclined .

How many of these do's are you having, and are they in quick succession?

belfastgirl23

TBH I think if it's an after lunch thing and you don't really drink yourselves I'd provide mince pies with cream, tea and coffee and maybe some sherry or mulled wine. To mull wine just buy some cheapish red wine, add some orange juice and a packed of mulled wine spices and heat gently. Good for drivers too since it's low alcohol.

If you've just moved, people know you don't have a lot of cash to spare so don't go mad.

Worth having a loaf and some cheese in just in case anyone does turn up hungry but I wouldn't expect to serve it

MrsB_2

When you invite them say something along the lines of,

'We'd love to see you over Christmas, so how about popping over to see the new house? Come about 3 on Tuesday and I'll even give you a cuppa and a mince pie!!'.

Clears up any ambiguity and minimum hassle for you.

chuckles1066

gilly41 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies.Sorry Chuckles I dont know what you mean by your reply??We have moved out of town and both work so we havent had chance to have many people over yet!!! Not sure if that is what you meant???Again thanks for all the great tips!!x

My apologies, it was a subtle bit of humour intended to hint to you that inviting family around for Christmas was only going to end in tears.

Rather a la "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation".

But I suspect it went over your head.......