Would you expect a starter for your Christmas meal?

[macnab]

I'm hosting, all family. Not a huge kitchen, in fact not a big house so will be busy. I'm not put off by cooking the meal and intend to get a good bit done ahead of time but wasn't planning on doing a starter as there will be so much food for the main meal and I'm doing a few desserts too. But someone asked me what starters I'm doing and I am now wondering if I am expected to offer a starter. I have a small fridge, I think that's what worrying me more than anything. Opinions please!

[Nicknamegrief]

I am happier without one, the main is enough in my opinion with all the sides etc. Means I can enjoy seconds too.

[CakeNinja]

We don't have one at all. Christmas dinner usually comes with 10 side dishes so wouldn't be hungry enough after a starter!

[macnab]

Oh good. And silly me for not seeing the other thread about starter options where lots of posters agree that a starter isn't necessary.

I will ply them with prosecco instead

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

No, I don't want the edge taking off my appetite, we've never done starters, neither have my parents and grandparents.

[willconcern]

we always have one - usually smoked salmon or prawn based. But I prefer a starter to a pudding

[TurnOffTheTv]

I wouldn't be fussed with a starter but I do like picky bits while I'm having a drinks, because I'm greedy even just nice crisps/pretzels.

[TheKnackeredChef]

I do canapés beforehand rather than a formal sit down starter. It's more sociable and people can just have as much or little as they want.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

We have a few canapes around 12 and dinner at 2ish. Don't generally have pudding either, the times I have done one no one has really eaten any.

[IHaveBrilloHair]

I'd assume there'd be one, but wouldn't mind if there wasn't and certainly wouldn't comment.
We just always had one, prawn cocktail.

[Asteria36]

We usually go for a mountain of canapés and bubbly then straight into the main course. If you cba then just get a load of really good throw in the oven type canapés from M&S, Waitrose or Cook

[SauvignonBlanche]

I usually do a cold starter, I thought of canapés this year but again, they'd have to be cold as both ovens are rammed at that point.

[ouryve]

Heck no. I want to enjoy the main course and still have room for pud!

[TyrannosaurusBex]

I make sure there are bowls of olives, nuts, naice crisps etc available in case anyone's getting too hungry, but no starter. Definitely a pudding (or two), though.

[Leeds2]

We go to friends for Christmas lunch, and always have a starter. I have no intention of ever hosting, but if I did I would offer one!

I think you could get away with serving cold canapés though. Those that didn't want to spoil their appetite needn't have any.

[Stillunexpected]

I used to do a starter - maybe smoked salmon and brown bread - pre-children. Once we had children however, I gave up as the boys tended to however up the starter with some bread and then not want to eat much of the main course or stay at table. They are teenagers now so (mostly!) self-regulating but I've never started again as the typical Christmas main course plus pudding (and I also do Trifle) is so much food that there really isn't any need for more food before that.

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

No, I never do one (two courses is more than ample )

If I go out then I might have starter/main rather than main/pudding (depending on which is nicer)

[ThumbWitchesAbroad]

Nope, never had a starter that I can remember! Don't need one, the main meal is usually huge.

[yomellamoHelly]

No. Would rather save room for some Christmas Pudding.

[MrsJayy]

I love a starter its usually prawn cocktail mum makes the best sauce i dont ususlly have a pudding though

[MrsJayy]

Everybody else has pudding just i dont and im usually still pushing in pigs in blankets even if im full.

[oobedobe]

Agree starter not necessary.
Snacky bits and canapes mid-morning (with bucks fizz) is plenty to keep people going till dinner at 3/4pm.

[weaselwords]

Copious booze and crisps makes an excellent starter round here.

[Chottie]

Definitely not.

I would not expect a starter with a full Christmas to follow.

[macnab]

Thank you all so much, it's an overwhelming majority

I better make sure the two courses I DO serve up are up to scratch!

[Star2015]

We always have one, but I could do without as my plate of Christmas dinner is huge and would feed a small family for a week

Why don't you just put out a bowl of olives, and meat antipasti plate (cheap in Lidl or Aldi) and then if anyone wants a 'starter' it's ticked a box??