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!

Honestly I love a starter I would always have a starter instead of a dessert.

Just as an aside, if it's family coming to yours, do they not offer to bring a starter or pudding?

Yes , but small like pate or melon.

Came on to say what Lizzie said. They should offer to bring food and drink.

In the minority, but I've always had starters. In my family dessert / pudding is served early evening. Often once we've given up and put on the Christmas pj's!

If you stick crisps, olives, pretzels, nuts... that sort of thing out it means no-one gets peckish if dinner ends up running a bit late. They won't be wasted if they aren't eaten 'as a starter'. People shouldn't be hungry on Christmas day!

More like an appetizer about an hour before the main - soda bread with pate, a small bowl of soup, that sort of thing.

But this is because my mum refused to serve dinner before 3 (330 by the time the meat rested and was plated), or breakfast after 10am. We were ravenous by the time dinner was on the table.

Mine (it's my parents) don't offer to bring starters or puddings because we've never really done either in our family. They bring drink, chocolates and the bread sauce as they are the only ones who eat it.