How to cater Christmas at ours??? Help required.

[CircassianLeyla]

We often have Christmas at my parents, they don't have a huge house but are the only ones who can accommodate us, my cousins and them at the table.

We have a kitchen table and we can't all eat together.

I would really like to have Christmas at ours this year as DC big presents are of the sort that need to be made and not wrapped up. It means that they can play with them and we can play too - Ds1-2 are getting a games table.

My dad often does most of the cooking, but am wondering if there is some way we could have a lovely Special Christmas dinner in a sort if buffet without ruining the vibe. Any suggestions gratefully accepted?

Could cousins & parents eat at your dads & then come over for buffet tea?

I think Christmas is whatever you make it and I think it would still be Christmasy as people are just in a good mood.

would you have room in another room to have a table?

We all need to eat together (I like this).

Apart from the new toys etc I just want to cater something at Christmas too - perhaps having friends over with DC for Boxing Day is an option.

I am having 20 people over for Eid next month and I have a open plan living room. I will move all the sofas against the wall and join the garden & the dining tables together covered with nice cloth. The children will eat at the coffee table covered in a nice party cloth & fairy lights. I usually put up fairy lights and paper chains to make it look cheerful. I have done this before and it worked quite well.

That sounds lovely Raisah. We do Eid too but I don't have to cater. We live in a flat and just don't have the capacity for a table. I am thinking I will stick with usual plans and have friends round the next day for a nice buffet.

Buffet sounds good, less stressful as the food is there for people to help themselves. I dont usually cater for Eid as we go to my parents but this year everyone is decending on us!

We have lots of family birthdays in December so on Xmas day we all get together & have a big dinner for all the birthday girls & boys. It is the only tine we are off at the same time so do make the effort.

Register with costco to buy catering packs of food & drink as it will be cheaper. Or JJWholesale, you dont need to register, just order & pay online and collect at your specified time.

I find the Christmas thread useful to get ideas for bargain Eid presents!

I think Christmas food lends itself to buffet actually - big pile of roast veg, pigs in blankets, slices of turkey help yourself. A long as there's loads of grub and somewhere to sit you'll be grand!

It is fairly easy:

Huge pot of homemade soup

Roast and all the trimmings. You can cook the bird the night before, carve it and warm it through in gravy on the day. The veg can all be prepared the night before also leaving you just to roast. Best thing I have ever bought for my crowd at Christmas is a steamer. Perfect veg and keeps the job free.

If your dad likes to cook may be he can bring the bird over?

Dessert here is usually just a big cheese board with chocolate, fruit and port.

Sounds lovely. My dad will do so - it will be fine. I will run it past them and see what everyone thinks.

Job - hob!

And do you know what, we don't have enough tables and chairs here for my 20 so we all eat on our knees, floor whatever. It is about being together. Doesn't need to be perfect!