Can I get away with it?

Why is your immediate reaction to lie?

I have to reassure people that I haven't cooked it myself or they won't come.

There are ready meals and ready meals. Some are awful, some are indistinguishable from home cooking. THere's no shame in it - I've done it myself - bought from a good local deli. Takes a lot of the stress away. I know that 'cook' dishes are good too, but none near here.
I always confess - itwould just be too difficult if they start asking for recipes!
Once someone admired my 'homemade; mince pies, saying they were absolutely delicious and how had I made them. I had to confess ready roll pastry and mincemeat out of a jar and her face fell. She didnt have any more. What does it matter if they are delicious? Made me cross!

Absolutely agree with the others who said that it's the occasion that counts, the fun and chat and general good time to be had by all including the hostess.

Ha ha this reminded me of a time when my husband and son were knocking out the kitchen fireplace and chimney, both as black as soot and rather stressed ( both had been at work all day as well )
The doorbell went and there stood 4 ex work colleagues/friends with boxes and bags, containing starters, deserts, cheese and wine.?I had totally forgotten the bi annual planned "share a meal. ?
We were also "babysitting twin 4 year grandchildren overnight as Mum was on nights.
They took one look at my face and realised I'd take totally forgotten.
My son was furious with me, but we went ahead with the meal, my colleagues learnt to play WiGames while I popped out to the chippy, then we sat in the garden and enjoyed a fabulous time.
Grandchildren were little angles especially with all the adult attention, and seeing grandad and son looking like coal men was an added entertainment.

I wouldn’t lie - why bother? If those on here are a cross section of the great British public it looks like most of us do it! My friends and I happily share “shortcuts” and “cheats”. Life is too short to worry about things like that. Enjoy the company!

Life's too short......I now use short cuts wherever I can, I no longer make Yorkshire Puddings or Roast Potatoes now I'm Widowed.

If family come over I usually scour M&S or Co-op for Buffet items. I've had my years of home cooking which I still love doing but it's on my terms now.

I do make my own soup, casseroles, stews. I would have no worries about "cheating" if I was entertaining.

Did we ever get an update from OP saying how it went?

coolgran I discovered that two M&S lasagnes fit perfectly into one of my casserole dishes and with a bit of extra cheese on the top I can pass them off as home made too!

Great minds!

I agree with J52 just add some finishing touches to the bought in meal. As dragonflly46 says, it's the company that counts, not the food. Good luck and have a lovely evening.

My friend recommends the lamb shanks from Aldi. Serves those up at a dinner party. Says the mint sauce ones have often sold out. She hates cooking but is very sociable.

I have a friend who is a wonderful cook but who has a demanding job. Sometimes when she invites me round she apologises because she’s not had time to cook and has bought a ready meal. Although I love her cooking I wouldn’t care if she served up beans on toast, her company means more to me.

We went to friends who gave us a lovely three course meal. We returned the favour but the day they were due for a meal had been incredibly busy and I hadn't made a starter. I cheated. I opened a couple of cans of french onion soup. I chopped and fried an onion and placed the fresh onion on the soup and quickly did two slices of cheese on toast , cut circles from them and floated them on top. It looked good and tasted good. I kept quiet.
I have friends who swear by frozen mash potato and never make their own. I like short cuts!