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Excited about hosting Xmas dinner party!
So FI and I have decided to throw a christmas dinner party for our families this year. My mom always does thanksgiving at her house and we usually do a quiet christmas dinner just immediate family. This year I decided to break tradition and do a nice family dinner party the week before christmas just to get family and friends together so that christmas weekend everyone can spend however they want. Well I already know my menu.
Baked chicken (Turkey too many problems, never did one alone before :-()
Cornbread stuffing
Baked macaroni pie
Vegetable fried rice
Potato salad
dinner rolls(pillsbury of course)
Dessert (Red velvet cake and cheesecake)
So far the only appetizer I have is deviled eggs.Any other suggestions would help.My main concern is how to host? What time is a good time to start (kids invited)?? Should there be alcohol beverages or keep it clean??? Sanitary dishes or pull out the bigs guns with the expensive china??? Also my entertaining space in my home is not too big but decent enough, should I be worried about keeping everyone entertained???? Any and every suggestion is needed at the point. Thanks in advance
Re: Excited about hosting Xmas dinner party!
Even if you don't want to have alot of alcoholic beverages, I always think it's nice at Christmas to serve something sparkly - like prosecco, cava, champagne, or Asti. You know you friends and family and what they'd like to drink.
As for the question of dishware, in my opinion, what better time to use china than Christmas? It's nice to get extra fancy during the holidays.
Plus you will have lots of family there that might volunteer to help you wash and dry.
Food and conversation are usually entertainment enough for the adults. You could always have a Christmas movie playing in a back room for the children, or set up some games or crafts. Or enlist someone to come dressed as Santa Claus to get everyone's last minute wish lists. Or sing a couple carols - or have the kids sing a carol for the group - just for some added cheer.
You might ask a family member or friend to bring an appetizer, since you'll have so much cooking to do.
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I'd add a green something to the menu - broccoli, green beans, etc.
I like Kate's idea of having someone else bring an app since you've got a lot to do. Or put out a cheese & sausage tray or a bowl of nuts. Nothing too elaborate since you're putting on a big meal.
By how to host, do you mean how to serve? That depends on how many seats you have at your dining table. Do it seated if you can, buffet perching if you can't.
I'd absolutely serve alcohol unless there are religious reasons not to.
Use china if you have enough seats at your table to do a sit-down. Use your everyday dishes or paper if people will have to perch.
Ditto Kate, adults don't need entertained, just a little music in the background. A movie for the kids in a back room sounds like plenty.
How old are these kids? Are these little kids who need naps and throw tantrums? Then I have no idea and you'll have to ask the moms on here. For older children/teens, I think 6:30/7 is fine.
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I agree with what the pp's have said. For time- if it's a Saturday I'd start around 5 so you have time for kids. Sunday I'd consider even going for a late lunch at 2 or 3. You know your family though. I don't consider alcohol dirty, but again you know your family. Offering some wine and some spike eggnog is festive.
For dishware certainly consider where/how people will be eating. If you'll be at a table I'd bust out the china. A huge tip is to pull out all of your serving pieces ahead of time. Make sure they are clean and put a note in there of what you'll serve in it. Also make sure you have the spoon/fork to go with it.
I wouldn't worry too much about entertainment. I assume the kids are cousins and play together fine. I'd just put on some Christmas music and call it good. This is your family. I assume you've gotten together before so use that as a guide. If the kids aren't yours you might ask someone to bring a DVD. You could also pick up some felt stickers and let the kids play.
Is that your traditional menu? I have to be honest that it sounds a little odd. The fried rice seems out of place and potato salad is more summer to me. There are also no real veggies. I'd add a salad and even some sugar snap peas or something.
I wondered this as well.
Thank you for all the advise and tips I will definitely do as told :-). I will do a spiked eggnog and a wine not sure which one yet. As for the comments on if this is a traditional menu to answer your questions yes it is. My family are all caribbean and love hefty and hearty foods. I will definitely do a salad but all on my menu is completely normal for everyone invited especially the potato salad I haven't been to a family dinner that didn"t have it :-). I am not doing a sit down dinner more of a buffet get up and get what you want since my dining table is a only a six seater and I expect about twelve guests. Thank you Kate for your welcoming wishes and yes I definitely plan to be a regular, I am such a homebody. I love decorating and cooking and I have found my new love (hosting).
Thank you so much for the welcome it means alot :-). I am definitely taking your advise on the timing , I think around 7pm is perfect. The kids range from 7 to 13 not too young thank goodness. I am not doing a traditional sit down but I would like to use the nice china (dying to use it) just bought it this year and it's gorgeous white with gold trimmings just beautiful. Anymore advise I am willing to take it.
If you're asking about decor/styling, why not start a new post with a picture of your china and tell us about the mood you're going for and we'll give you some pictures back. This post is a little buried now.
If you have any other specific questions, post them. It's hard to just give open-ended advice, other than to start early because everything takes longer than you expect it to.
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Hi! Welcome too~
Here is my "two cents":
I would start a little earlier... around 2 or 3pm and def' have someone else bring a light appetizer. Then I would serve dinner at 5pm and dessert, coffee etc. at 6pmish.
I LOVE the menu for the week before Christmas. That way others can do Turkey or Roast Beef or whatever. Would def' use your formal china and can still do that Buffet Style. (I would have other plates for the young kids though - like Target Holiday type).
Would add a salad (maybe with Cranberries, Gorgonzola, Red Onion and Pecan/Walnuts) and either Balsamic and/or a Berry Dressing.
Would also consider adding a Fruit Salad or even Grapes/Berries with dessert. (I'm guessing your guests will bring cookies!) If you're looking to drop something - I would drop the Potato Salad - since you have two other sides.
Re: Alcohol - if your guests are responsible drinkers I would do Beer, Wine and Sodas - and perhaps a fun punch or Cranberry Cocktail and of course a "Mocktail" for the kids. If you have any doubts... maybe not. It is completely at your discretion as the host.
Re: Entertaining the kids - if you like (not sure of the ages) I would get some washable crayons and Christmas Coloring Books. I just found some at Christmas Tree shop with Elmos for 1.00.
A great movie like Elf or Snoopy Christmas is always good too!
HTH and let us know how it goes!
Thank you so much. I love your ideas especially the salad that sounds just delicious, with that salad I would definitely drop the potato salad.As for the RE on creating a new post with pictures of the china and the mood of the party, I thought about that but there wouldn't be much of an elegant mood with the kids around so that's why I didn't even bother but if you think it's still a good idea I will definitely do it :-) The target christmas dishes for the kids another good tip as a matter of fact I will be in target in the morning hopefully they have somethings that I am looking for.
Oh good! I'm so glad. Please let us know if you have any other questions - and def' we love follow-up pics too.