Entertaining neighbours

I was going to say cook! But I notice others have already suggested it.
Not that it helps this time but for future suggest either a ‘safari’ dinner and take it in turns starter at one house move on to next house for main ending up at last house for dessert is fun if you are close neighbours, we used to do this when I lived in USA the other thing we did was having main course at a different house each time but one person would bring a starter and the other the dessert.
No one person has to do it all!

Be yourself, honeyrose.

Invite them at a time that coffee or a glass of wine, with either cake (get a bakers to make you a real cream Victoria sponge.....in the first or nibbles (most posh available ).... in the second early evening with wine, is a way to go?

Lots of lovely flowers around, comfy chairs not the dining room table.

They have come to see you both, and maybe a peek at your living room. Food isnt, imo, that important

At least they'd probably forget what they've eaten.

MissAdventure your comments at 19.49 had me shaking with laughter!

First of all, sorry to disappoint or mislead some of you with my heading of Entertaining Neighbours! 🤣 Thanks for your suggestions of what food to serve. I know that I’m overthinking this, but I’m not a natural hostess and I don’t want my nerves to show. That’s probably my greatest worry about it. It would make everyone very uncomfortable if I showed that I was stressed &/or nervous. The more time-consuming the food preparation, the worse I’ll be so I realise that I have to keep it fairly simple. I have always thought that it would be a cop-out to buy ready-prepared foods from Cook, M&S, Waitrose etc, but maybe that is the way to go. I had considered a buffet so I may do that, but KEEP IT SIMPLE! I won’t be cooking a Sunday lunch type meal, like I’ve had at the neighbours houses, I really couldn’t cope with that. I’m getting nervous just thinking about it and I’d like to just forget the whole thing. They are lovely, easy-going neighbours of around our age, chatty and friendly. By the way, DH doesn’t cook (apart from scrambled eggs!). Someone close to me once said a few years ago that it was obvious I was very tense on the occasions I’ve had people over for even a buffet and that remark has stayed with me and made me even more nervous now. Drinks and a bowl of crisps is what I fancy serving up, but I obviously can’t do that as more would be expected of me. I don’t mind throwing money at it, but it’s my fear of judgment if the food’s not right. I’ll keep you posted - it probably won’t be for a few weeks yet!

Salmon is easy. Either one large piece or six small….you can cook them in the oven and do new potatoes and salad or vegs. Or if you’d rather prepare before, shepherds pie and just heat up on the day.

I don't cook.
When we entertain my husband does the cooking (I hover and set the table )
Why is it a given that women should be the main cook?
I do DIY and garden though.

You could always invite one couple at a time, so just four at the table?

What kind of meals did your two neighbours provide? A simple
Chicken casserole and a tray of roast potatoes which you can oven cook at the same time, with some veg you can microwave followed by a bought pudding and cream would be easy enough to do.

I'm not making light of your problem - I'd be exactly the same, but my mind keeps straying to imagine "entertaining the neighbours" as a couple coming put after dinner, and performing magic, wearing sparkly clothes, with an ending where the husband saws the wife in half.

I’d go for the buffet, just add in something you’ve cooked yourself - maybe little roast potatoes and some sausages glazed with mustard and balsamic
Always works for me on my family Boxing Day buffet!
Keep us updated on what you decide and how it goes, but the company and conversation is the main thing

Great advice above -anok
We always do this “help yourself” with visitors - friends & family. Set the table the day before, make the main dish in advance & reheat on the day. Nice nibbles with drinks. Buy a good quality dessert- lemon tarts are good- add a few raspberries
Do suggest to friends that going forward that you “ share the catering” - one couple provide nibbles or starter, host house makes or provides the main course, & the other couple - dessert or cheese course. We’ve done this for years. Takes the major expense and stress off the hosts as each course is served /cleared away by whoever supplied it. We don’t confer pre meal at all- just see what turns up- all part of the fun!
Always a privilege to be guests in someone’s home- we like it much better than always going out!
Forgot to say each couple brings a bottle of wine & a small gift for the hostess.

You’ve had a lot of very good advice here.
I often entertain my family and understand the problem with the size of the table. To solve this I lay the table in a formal way and make it look very nice. Then I put out all the food and the plates on my worktop. You could also use a sideboard or any other suitable surface. Everyone serve themselves but sits at the table in the usual way. You can do the same with dessert. I think the suggestions of lasagna or a casserole, homemade or not will help with the stress. If you’re thinking of a starter maybe some simple bought nibbles eaten in the lounge area with drinks.

If this is going to be a thing , what not suggest that in future the host provides the main and the other neighbours the starter and dessert . It’s less stress . Several friends of mine do this with their friends and neighbours.

Why don't you confide in your neighbours and ask their advice, they would probably to please to.

I'm another fan of 'Cook'. Their food is good, you could buy just the main course, or the whole works, and take all the pressure off . The fish pie for four is delicious, you could have perhaps two differnt main courses and desserts, and cook vegetables in a steamer.

I was rather disappointed when I clicked on this thread. I was looking forward to finding out what is so entertaining about your neighbours!
Mine are all very nice people, but quite dull.

Buffet would be fine. Lots of good suggestions here. Alternatively why not buy three ready cooked meals for two such as chicken/ beef casserole, duck legs Roast beef/pork/lamb etc. in M&S or Waitrose. Heat them up beforehand and keep them warm in serving dishes. Accompany with ready prepared veg (M&S also do nice ready prepared frozen roast potatoes . Take everything out of the containers and keep warm before they arrive. You can also buy ready made gravy. Job done and they’ll never know.

Buffet or even afternoon tea!

Good luck, whatever you do will be lovely and it’s about the company.

Please don’t let it stress you

Do you have to have both sets of neighbours together? Would doing it separately and cooking for 4 be less stressful?

Or how about a cheese and wine evening?

Another fan of Cook. I rarely make a pudding these days as there is a great range to choose from. I'd make a delicious casserole which can be made the day before and reheated. Serve with a green salad and potatoes or rice or even some crusty bread. Don't do a starter just offer olives and quality crisps with the first drinks. Relax and enjoy yourself.

Whatever you decide will be fine.

Just think how you feel when invited to another’s house for a meal.

Your first , second or even third thought isn’t criticism is it😊 - it is - good oh - I’m looking forward to a pleasant evening of chat , with food thrown in.

That is how you should approach it - concentrate on enjoying their company and see the food simply as an add-on.

Enjoy your evening.

I’d opt for a buffet. Somehow I’ve lost confidence in cooking for more than four. My usual approach now is a buffet prepared and refrigerated a good couple of hours before anyone arrives which means I’ve had time to relax a bit. I tend to major on cheeses with crusty bread, a meat platter, salads (bought ) and a mix of (bought from M&S) ) mini fruit tarts plus berries, cream and some sort of chocolate cake. I rarely venture into sandwiches, hard work! Don't fret honeyrose no matter the content a buffet is very acceptable. The important thing is you’re relaxed and can enjoy your neighbours company.

pably15

no use worrying over this, a buffet would be lovely, personally I prefer a buffet to a sit down meal at someones house.

I much, much prefer a buffet. Marks and Sparks and a bit of home cooking, pretty napkins..... Some lovely flowers, an unflustered hostess, some low level background classical favourites.....

If you can get away with it in the kind of make up and expectations of the group, I used to sometimes have friends around (we all had lots of kids) and we'd just get fish and chips or pizza delivered. Then we got food and to spend time together without too much work involved.