Does anyone love party planning? Plan mine!

[WarningOfGails]

Having a Christmas party in a few weeks time & decided against caterers as it felt too expensive. But now of course I have to figure it out myself…

what would you do? Want to do a graze table/nibbles type spread but struggling to get my head around quantities.

anyone who loves this sort of challenge want to advise?

Yes, me! How many people and what time?

I've done it a few times in the past (to be honest fed up with it now as we never got any return invitations... I know you shouldn't have an expectation of being invited back but surely it is common courtesy? We have hosted one couple four times and never been invited to their house for even a cup of coffee ... and yes, they do host other people 😡).

Anyway - rant over, give me an idea of the number you are catering for and I will make suggestions.

Morrisons has a range of party food you can order online a week before if you have one close, it's easy to use and really convenient

50 people! Mostly adults, a smattering of children. Late afternoon - hopefully after lunch but before supper so not an actual meal!!

I've done this quite a few times. The easiest one for me was a big birthday here, live music, no kids which might change my menu if there had been! ...

Cheeses. Good ones, beautifully displayed. (A whole brie, half a stilton round etc)
Really good bread. Crackers, grapes, chutneys etc.
I made a massive raised pie in advance (chicken, ham, pork etc) That went down a storm
I also made a big pork and chicken paté in my Le Creuset terrine, that served a lot of people

I didn't have a thing to do on the evening, it was effortless

In that case, be very, very clear about start time AND finish time. Be clear it is afternoon tea (or something) you are offering or you could end up in a pickle.

Actually the whole point of socializing is to exchange hospitality. It's normal to have an expectation that those whom you've hosted will host you in turn.

I hate the lowering of standards that lets lazy takers off the hook. (Same with thank-you letters.)

Ohh I love doing a Christmas party spread!

A big cheeseboard, grapes, chutneys, crackers, and do the Brie on a separate dish drizzle with honey, walnuts and thyme.

A basket of different bread rolls, and some of that sea salt Brittany butter.

A big glazed ham on a wooden board with about half of it sliced neatly already.

Charcuterie board.

Green dressed salad.

Olives/breadsticks/antipasti.

Drooool...

Saw this the other day, which I’d do if I wasn’t so lazy and unsociable.