What do you have as a starter on Christmas day?

[aubergineinautumn]

Or do you have any original ideas?

[timidviper]

I don't do one at all. I find we're all stuffed after dinner and pudding (do choice of Xmas pud and one other) so starter is the course we leave out rather than explode!

Just serve champagne or cocktail before for adults.

[DooinMeCleanin]

Nothing. Big roast and x-mas pudding with brandy butter is more than enough.

[JollyJinglyJoo]

I make my own pate. It's good because you can do it in advance, everyoone in the family loves it (but I restrict it to once a year ) and what doesn't get eaten can get wheeled out again to evening/ boxing day guests (there is never any left by 27th) I serve it with various chutneys and oatcakes/ crostini, so it's not TOO filling.

I also then do a lobster/ prawn/ smoked salmon salad type thing.

Yes, we do get a bit stuffed, but our Christmas lunch/ dinner takes about 4-5hours- plenty of space (and wine!) between courses, makes for a lovely relaxed yet gluttonous day.

[Beauregard]

Dont have a starter as main meal and pud filling

[ujjayi]

I always used to make Bloody Mary Soup - its a Good Housekeeping recipe from 2000 - absolutely delicious. I decided not to bother last year for the reasons others have said and tbh we didn't miss it. Will make it again this year but to have during the festive period rather than as a starter.

[PresentsRibbonsAndMerrySantas]

selection box

[ujjayi]

@ Presents

[FeathersMcGraw]

vodka while cooking dinner - it's the only way to survive a parental invasion...

[huggiemonster]

We are doing without this year. Too much plus big roast dinner, selection of pudding, fudge, truffles, chocolate and mince pies is more than enough!

[Ciske]

Salmon Terrine, most likely. Because it looks quite festive and it can be made in advance, so it'll be one thing less to cook on the day.

[TaffyandTeenyTaffy]

Proper 1970s style prawn cocktail for the ladies and Heinz Tomato soup for the men at my Mums. Has been that way since the 70s so couldn't possibly change the tradition now

[ivykaty44]

We have a few olives and crisps, a full starter would be to much food, fitting in xmas pudding means a gap of 30 minutes or so after the roast with all the trimings.

[vixsatis]

Salmon thing from a magazine a few years ago: finely chopped smoked and raw salmon mixed together and seasoned with lime juice etc. spooned on top of slices of cucumber and decorated with dill and salmon "caviar".

Very very light.

Have also done 70s style salmon mousse with toast, serrano ham with charentais melon, prawn cocktail, chicken liver pate, home made gravadlax, salad of chicory, pears and walnuts with blue cheese and chive and walnut oil dressing.

Crucial thing is that it should be dead easy and capable of being largely made in advance. It should also come (for obvious reasons) in small helpings. I think it's nice to have three courses to make more of an event of Christmas lunch.

[Hullygully]

Booze

[WhereTheWildThingsWere]

Breakfast.

[PeanutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Quality street

[munstersmum]

Wonders if it would be impolite to invite herself to Peanuts?

Tend to go melon & prawns or parma ham - not exciting but caters to known allergies / dislikes.

[PeanutsRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Of course munsters

You can bring dessert, usually mint matchmakers or shortbread .

Dress code is strictly PJs and slippers

[attheendoftheday]

We're doing baked camembert. We'll find room for a pudding too. Clearly we are a family of pigs .

[munstersmum]

Why thank you Peanuts. Clearly a hostess who puts guests at ease.