Not sure what to feed the masses!

[Firsttimer1984]

I have 19 coming on Boxing Day and want to lay on a beautiful spread (but mostly with things I can prepare in advance). I have never done this before so please help...

Do you way to do a Buffett or a proper meal?
Meal I would do chilli, rice and jackets etc or several pastas and sauces, garlic bread etc
Buffet I would do
Quiches
Large ham
Rolls
Salad
Coleslaw
Cheeseboard
Crackers
Pickles
Etc

I don't really know. Mil can be quite fussy and would probably prefer at hot meal but don't think I can do a sit down meal for nineteen! I am desperate for it to be special. Feel quite overwhelmed.

Should have also said thank you for suggestions.

What's your budget? Can you think about buying in catering, maybe m&S or Waitrose food to order?

Again not really sure. Would £10 a head be reasonable?

Do the buffet and hire a couple of those heater things and knock up a couple of hot slop like a chilli and a turkey curry so people can help themselves.

Or do something in a big slow cooker and just stick it on auto to keep it warm.

I would do a buffet.

Cook x2 meats ie beef and turkey/ chicken. Can cook early in morning and slice and serve cold

Add nice bread/ crackers and good cheese board

Any extras you want to ie dips/ chutneys/ salads

IME the best impression is created when the host is relaxed and able to chat to guests. This means (lessons I have learned the hard way) be as prepared as possible ahead of time and, crucially, rope in help from anyone who offers.

Obvs the food is important but the main things are a. Don't run out (plenty of bread and spuds) and b. don't poison anyone.

But by planning this far ahead you can practise recipes and it will all be lovely.

Most people will want something lighter if they've had a big Christmas Dinner.
Could you do a soup and some delicious rolls (part baked ones)
Salads that are 'heavier' like Greek Salad, coleslaw, pasta with pesto
Baked Camenbert - take the paper off and put it back in the woden case to bake it, serve with bread or breadsticks.
Sliced meats

Lots of little sweet things- brownies, Christmas cake, mince pies (it's Christmas after all )

What ages are you catering for?

I would do cold meats (a lovely glazed baked ham, leftover turkey) with jacket potatoes (easy en masse) and a salad. And all the pickles in the world, obviously. Easy for you, not too much running about, delicious and has a hot element to it.

Over the past few years I have all of my husbands family over on Xmas eve....far too many to seat, ages 2-72.
I do ginger glazed gammon (Nigella)
loaded jackets (Nigella)
kidney bean and pomegranate salad (Nigella)
plus the usual
coleslaw
quiche
pickles etc
Goes down a storm!

Yes yes to cold meats - turkey and ham, cheeses, chutneys, jacket potatoes, a nice salad, butter, crusty bread (par baked baguettes you finish yourself)

Mince pies, brownie bites and a flavoured cream.

It doesn't sound much but make it all excellent quality, make your own chutneys and brownies to show off and people will be very happy.

I did Nigella's lamb shoulder with pomegranate for a large dinner party recently. It was dead easy and you prepare it in advance and bung in oven for several hours. I served with couscous which takes about 5 minutes.

Wow thanks. The nigella lamb sounds amazing! Guess I need to get a nigella cookbook as an early christmas present.

The problem with a sit down meal is that some people will have returned to normal consumption levels by Boxing Day, some will be a bit delicate and will want to do no more than nibble a lettuce leaf and some