Entertaining Ideas
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Hosting Christmas Eve Party for Family
I wanted to run the menu past you all to see what you think.
We have anywhere from 25-30 people in attendance and we do a buffet style sit down meal.
Apps
Crab Dip (Mom makes)
Shrimp cocktail
Deviled eggs (Gma brings these)
Cheese platter (with both sliced cheese and cheese spreads)
Veggie platter
Cheesy dip with ground beef (served with mini bread slices)
Main
Honeybaked Ham
Rolls
Condiments like mustard, mayo, pickles, etc.
Cheesy potatoes
Baked beans
7 Layer salad
Green bean casserole
Dessert
Ice cream
Home baked cookies (variety)
Coffee with various liquors (Baileys, Kaluha, etc)
Too many apps? Do we need another side for dinner? Fancier desserts (though traditionally the desserts never really get eaten since people are full by that point)?
Re: Hosting Christmas Eve Party for Family
It does seem like a lot of apps. Also, the bread with the cheese/meat dip seems strange to me, I'd pair it with tortilla chips or homemade tortillas(but then again I'm basically in Mexcio so a Mexican style queso fundido is my first thought when using the items described).
I don't think another side is necessary given the amount of apps, but it would depend on the size of the ham (will there be enough for everyone to have a ton?) and whether everyone likes ham.
Desserts are fine, people will likely stick with tradition.
The baked beans don't "go" to me, but if it's a family favorite.... I also don't have a better suggestion. LOL
For the crab dip have something to dip in it (bread, veggies). I assume you'll use items off the veggie tray, but just wanted to point that out.
I like the amount of appetizers because I love to sample different things at the holidays.
Ice cream seems messy for a large crowd (serving wise). Cookies sound perfect to me.
I just a friendly gal looking for options.
What is the seven layer salad? I'd say the main course needs something fresh-vegetabley, but the salad might have that covered, in which case you're fine.
I don't think you have too many apps, but I tend to go heavy on those.
My only other concern is that ice cream seems unwieldy for such a large group. Will you still be sitting for dessert?
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I don't understand the condiments. What are the mustard, mayo, etc. for?
I would lose the ice cream. Too messy.
I think the apps look good, I might skip the ground beef and cheese dip though. I think the other ones will be plenty.
For the main meal, I think the sides are a bit too heavy. I might do the ham, potatoes, rolls, and then green bean almondine instead of the casserole, and then some something sweet, maybe like a chutney or homemade applesauce. I don't think the baked beans or 7 layer salad are necessary, unless they are family favorites like pp mentioned.
Also the condiments are throwing me off a little bit too, but that might just be me. You could do a pickle and olive platter. I know some people don't care for these, but I love them.
For dessert, I love the idea of fresh baked cookies. Since your family isn't big on dessert though, I might skip the ice cream. If you want something in addition to the cookies, what about cream puffs? Those are another one of my favorites. I even like the ones from the grocery store, which would make your job a little easier.
Hope this helps.
To address some of the questions.
The cheesy meat app is brought by my aunt. I should have said it was ground venison versus beef and it is actually more meat than cheese. And personally I hate it but much of my family loves it. The veggie platter and the cheese platter are so I have something to eat before dinner since I don't do shellfish or deviled eggs but again the family members LOVE these dishes.
The condiments are because many will make mini sandwiches with the ham and rolls (even though it is a sit down meal).
Grandma brings the 7-layer salad and I can't tell my 95 year old grandma she needs to bring something else. I just can't do it. Though a fresh salad and/or a pasta salad sound so much better.
And yes, the dessert is a seated dessert eaten while drinking coffee. It is usually only the older people and those without kids since those with little ones tend to leave earlier to get them to bed.
The biggest problem with both the apps (and much of the meal, really) is that I don't like most of the food (ham and potatoes are the exception) but the rest of the attendees love these dishes we traditionally serve (especially the baked beans).
So I am very very hesitant to change things up too much. We are already changing several traditions (moving the party to our house from my parent's home, cutting way back on the gifts, changing the time of the party) so totally changing the menu may lead to revolt (you should have seen some of the drama with changing Thanksgiving this year).
Personally, if I had it my way, I would have a totally different menu entirely. Sigh. Sometimes tradition is a HUGE PITA.
Ooooh egg nog. Add that!
I'd still also add some marinated asparagus. It's really easy- blanch it (or any veg) and marinate in Italian dressing over night. Serve chilled or room temp.
The flip side of that, though, is that, when you host, you're entitled to plan the menu the way you want it. If you're gracious enough to open your home to someone else, they don't get to complain about the food. Just a thought.
If my family were rational, this would totally make sense. However, that isn't the case. Between the grudge holding and back stabbing, I just don't want to be the creator of the drama. Oh, to have a drama free holiday. Now THAT is what I want for Christmas.
I think the menu looks pretty good. Healthy dishes were the only thing I really noticed missing, but I agree with whoever didn't know what 7 layer salad is, that if that's a veggie dish, then I think you've got green covered.
Do yall do a big dinner on Christmas day? This menu is pretty close to what we eat on Christmas day and I wouldn't want to eat the same thing two days in a row. If yall do something different like fish or spaghetti, then never mind.
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It sounds like a lot of the dishes you don't like are being brought by other people, so at least you're not spending your time making food you don't want.
Given your situation, I'd suggest that instead of trying to change things, you simply supplement. The cold asparagus sounds delicious, and I'm sure there are one or two other fresh, easy dishes you can make to round out the heaviness of everything else. Even if you end up with way too much food, you can send it home with people or live off leftovers for a few days.
Who knows, maybe people will like the new stuff so much that the traditions will change themselves.
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We do a breakfast with immediate family, in the early AM (pancakes), then DH and I usually head to his mom's house 3 hours away to do dinner with his family in the afternoon. She usually does a roast or turkey and they have their own set of "traditional dishes" like baked creamed corn, a cheesy onion dish and oyster stuffing (even with roast). So the same food thing isn't really an issue. But the not liking the food is. I just like plain stuff, all these crazy sauces and shellfish business is for the birds.
Give me a nice piece of roast or turkey, with a little (non-lumpy gravy), roast potatoes and carrots with a side salad and I would be a happy happy girl.
Though given this year DH is working out of state and we won't be together, even less of an issue.
This sounds delicious, would you mind sharing the recipe?
This exactly. I'm not a vegetarian, but I'd struggle finding more than two things to eat out of your menu. Maybe I'm overly fussy and these are all things your entire family loves.
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