Entertaining Ideas
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
Hosting Christmas for the first time
Hi all! My husband and I just bought a house this past summer in the same area that we both grew up. I am hosting Christmas day this year to avoid us having to bounce back and forth between my family and my in-laws. I don't think my in-laws are really loving this idea so I need to make Christmas dinner FANTASTIC...We are smoking and Turkey and Ham...well my brother is...but I wanted to get some suggestions on side dishes and snacks to nibble on all day...remember...I need to impress the in laws....give me your best!
*Measure your life in love*
Re: Hosting Christmas for the first time
My first piece of advice would be to not be overly ambitious. Keep it simple.
My first Christmas party, I took on way too much - and not that anything was a disaster - but I was just really stressed, and running around like crazy when my guests first showed up and that's the worst.
I've never had smoked turkey or ham, so I'm just going to suggest sides that I'd make for turkey and ham in general.
Scalloped potatoes or sour cream and chive mashed pototoes
Green bean almondine
Glazed carrots
Orange cranberry sauce
Rolls
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For appetizers:
Shrimp cocktail
Cheese platter - three types of cheese, crackers and garnish with grapes and nuts
Stuffed mushrooms
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For dessert:
Pear tart
Chocolate toffee pie
Serve with fresh cinnamon whipped cream
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If you want to do something a little extra special, maybe do a soup course. Maybe a butternut squash soup.
Hi, welcome to the nest
Sorry you've had so many views and only a few replies - I know I've been super busy this week!
I agree with SA on choosing things you feel confident in. I have also hosted parties where I took on too much and was a crazy loon - that's never a good way to welcome guests, especially ones you want to impress! lol
I really like her menu as well. Remember that it's ok to have simple "cheat" dishes on the table (I'm thinking of Green Giant corn niblets and frozen apps) and you throw your effort into other dishes.
Here are a couple dishes to consider:
Potato gratin with rosemary crust
Cabernet cranberries
6fsn's green bean bundles
Chestnut and cranberry dressing
Pear and pomegrante salad with champagne vinaigrette
Roasted carrots
For apps, shrimp cocktail, a pretty plate of cheese & crackers with grapes, a frozen app heated in the oven, and nuts will look elegant and give you plenty of time to focus on other things. One of these cracker spreads would work, too.
I have a host of impressive dessert recipes, but you didn't ask for those. Post with any more questions you have or if you want the dessert recipes. GL!
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I've hosted Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner at our house and it can be nerve-wracking if you let it be! I agree, your menu should be things that you feel comfortable with or that have few ingredients and short cooking/baking time. You definitely don't want to be hovered over the oven or stuck in the kitchen while your guests are arriving.
Here are a couple of sides I've made:
1. Green beans with feta & lemon:
you'll need fresh, crisp green beans, feta cheese, fresh lemons
Olive oil in pan, add green beans, s&p, and toss. When ready to serve, throw in a bowl, toss with feta and fresh squeezed lemon juice.
2. Sweet potato casserole:
you'll need about 6 sweet potatoes, brown sugar, butter and marshmallows (optional)
Boil potatoes until tender. mash and add 1/2 stick butter and tablespoon of brown sugar. Pour into casserole dish, place pats of butter randomly ontop of the potatoes, sprinkle some more brown sugar ontop and bake at about 400 until butter/brown sugar crust has formed. Marshmallows can be added before baking for a sweeter dish.
Another vote to do things you know OR can do the day before. The green bean bundles of mine that Tarheels posted are fantastic and fancy and best of all you can prep them the day before. I'm doing this mashed potato and sweet potato- again you can make your mess the day before and bake the day of.
Remember the little things that can make it special. Set a pretty table, have a nice place card and a little favor. I saw an idea to get small picture frames and put a picture of the guest in it to double as a favor and a place card. Use cloth napkins and a pretty table cloth- candlight and some Christmas music is good too.
Are you doing a sit down or a buffet? Regardless, it's always fancy to start with a soup or a salad. You can mix up a spinach salad and then dress just before people sitting and plate up. Or set a soup out just as people are sitting. When people are finished clear that plate and either bring out the main or have people hit the buffet. I have a beautiful squash bisque you can make the day before or this pumpkin soup is easy, peasy but looks nice and tastes awesome,
For dessert you could do something interactive- a chocolate fondue, someone posted a brownie bar that looked fun. I'm doing a cheesecake that would be fun to have different toppings for also.
Even if you can't cook something the day before, do any chopping measuring or other prep. Have a clear to-do list for your spouse for pre-holiday and during the day. Pull out and serving pieces and dinnerware the daybefore to make sure it's clean and that you have enough.
Most of all try not to stress. The more relaxed you are the more fun the day will be for everyone.
Hi! Welcome... the PP all gave you great advice. Here is my "two cents" added (after drinking two glasses of wine...)
1. Think through the day/evening how you want it to go and then break it down into steps. for ie. when guests walk through the door - where will they put their coats, gifts etc. (I always clean out my front closet and have extra hangers there in cold weather).
2. It is OK to buy some dishes - if you have to. ie. fresh bread, a bakery bought Bouche du Noel etc. (and def' choose mostly make ahead dishes and if guests insist on bringing a dish - let them! ).
3. Have your coffee and tea ready to go. All you should have to do is push a button at the end of the night to make coffee and tea. All of your sugar, creamers etc. should be ready to go as well as any take-homes for your guests.
Good Luck! Please let us know how it goes. Merry Christmas too!
PS. Almost forgot.. here is my favorite winter side dish:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2/index.html
Sorry - don't know how to make it "clicky" .