Tell me it will be ok -Christmas dinner

[Maryann1975]

We have had some really bad news this week. Fil has terminal cancer and this will be his last Christmas. We (me, dh, 3dc) were hosting Christmas dinner for my family, which would have taken us to 9 people but today I have offered to have dh family round too (they were going to PIL where fil would normally cook). There will now be 19 of us.

I have 2 large ovens, and an induction hob, but only one big enough saucepan (my normal ones are fine for 5, but not 19). Dining room big enough to hold that many although we will struggle for comfy chairs before and after lunch.
One vegetarian, one who won't eat turkey, lots of over eaters and one extremely fussy child.
How on earth do I think about catering for this many. What have I let myself in for, it's going to be hugely stressful isn't it. I think I need a glass of wine just thinking about it. Please tell me it will be ok in the end.

Yes to highdata's idea about a delegated photo taker, that's a lovely idea. I wish we'd known when it was my dad's last Christmas as I'd have love to have taken more photos.

You'll be fine! Nobody expects dinner for 20 to be perfect. As long as there is plenty of food and booze nobody will care if the veg is a bit over etc.

I'm all for ease but would never microwave a Christmas pudding, even if you're having a shop bought one steaming them makes a huge difference to the taste and texture, I'd stick that in a steamer rather than the veg, which do taste better for being microwaved, or could be put in a stack steamer on the hob. But then I love Xmas Pud! I think I'm going to invest in one of those electrical plug in food warmers as well OP for my hungry hoards in the hope of keeping -the veggies warm whilst people help themselves - I normally do this buffet style in the kitchen then everyone takes their plate through to the dining room. (Goes off to google electric steamers!)