Lots of entertaining over Christmas. Need help with menus!

[InDubiousBattle]

We're having everyone to eat at ours at some point over Christmas! I'm doing Christmas day and have a menu sorted out for that but I also have other events and could do with some ideas please! We have:

Ds's birthday- 10 people over during the day and 7 in the evening. We might be able to overlap some but it will be tight in our house so might need to do lunch and tea.

27th December- 8 adults and 3 children over for the day- might only need to feed them once though.

28th or 29th- 14 (at least) adults, 4 children. Lunch/buffet?

New year's eve- 6 adults and 3 children

Most of these are going to have to be buffets as our table won't be big enough. We have 2 ovens (main and side), a slow cooker (but I really don't know how to use it properly), a small ish freezer (which i'm currently emptying in anticipation)and all the other usual stuff. I'm a bit concerned about the cost of it all- we want to be hospitable but can stretch to massive beef wellingtons/sides of organic salmon!

Is it really rude to ask people to bring a bit of something?

That should read can't stretch to organic sides of salmon!!

Definitely learn how to use your slow cooker!!! Practise making things for family meals such as chilli and stews. If you can pre- make some of these and freeze it will really take the pressure off you.
Other suggestions: hot pork sandwiches (you can do. pulled pork but just sliced roast pork, stuffing and apple sauce in rolls is less work)
If you have left over turkey, you can chop and make coronation turkey (google coronation chicken for recipes)
this lamb tagine is gorgeous, served with this couscous]] (use a bit of paprika if you don't have harissa)
Lasagne is good to make ahead too. Definitely accept all offers of food contributions!

Blimey that sounds like lots of entertaining! I bet it will be lovely fun as well though, if you share the work out a bit.

I don't think people would mind in the slightest bringing a dish or two to help out. I'd personally ask some to bring a starter and some to bring a pud - bottles of booze or juice for the kids welcome too, of course! It's that time of the year where everyone will cheerfully muck in I reckon. Delegate soonish - so they can plan ahead.

Keep buffets simple and hearty. Rice salads, cous cous salads, potato salads to bulk out. Some quiche, cold cuts, a cheeseboard and mince pies. That would do me nicely. Add in lovely breads and extras as finances allow.

Everybody loves a winter soup too in my family. I love spiced butternut squash soup, or lentil, chilli and coconut soup. They keep beautifully and the flavours develop, so they're perfect for making ahead.

I'd do hot dogs and mini burgers for the kids. Again, keep it simple and quick. They'll be too excited to sit still for long!

Your slow cooker will definitely be your friend here. I'm veggie, so I would go for veggie chilli or veggie stew and herby dumplings on a low heat for 4-8 hours. My meat-eaters would do something like a beef casserole and serve with mash or a jacket spud. If there's room in the freezer, make a big lasagne ahead of time, or grab some frozen pizzas and garlic bread. People won't want "the works" for every meal and it's nice to have something easy to prep so you can spend time chatting and hosting.

Most important - enjoy and have a fab time!

Are any of those groups going to be overlapping? So would it matter if you served the same thing at 2 events?

And any dietary issues to watch? Veggie, gluten free, dairy free etc?

I think a lasagna would be a good buffet idea for at least 1 event. Sides of green salad, coleslaw, garlic bread, olives, tomatoes. Lasagne can be made in advance and frozen, to just bake on the day. You could do a separate veggie version if needed.

Slow cooker, could be great to do slow cooked stew/casserole etc, or to just reheat dishes you've made in advance. So stew, beef bourgigne, curries etc could all work well. Stewing meat tends to be cheaper, and tastes delish if done slow and tender, and even better if done in advance and flavours have a chance to "meld" together.

Stew, with mashed potato, side of peas if you need more veg than what's in the stew, and maybe a green salad and French stick could work well.

Chicken and mushrooms in a creamy, white wine (and tarragon is a great herb for this) sauce can be served with mash, rice or pasta - depending on tastes and eats well as a "fork supper" dish. Chicken thighs are better than breast for sauce type meals, and cheaper too. Again, green salad, French stick, maybe coleslaw or potato salad as sides. Also another one that can be frozen to reheat.

Beef bouginonge (sp?) I've already mentioned - serve with mash and maybe some steamed/boiled carrots on the side, French stick, green salad.

Buying part-baked French sticks or batons, and cooking them in the smaller oven to serve fresh and crusty, could work great and save on last minute shopping daily!

Some kind of pork and apples and beans type of stew with mash or rice?

For deserts, I would probably try and think about traybake ideas for a few - brownies with ice cream, bread and butter pudding, stick toffee pudding, etc. And maybe a cheesecake that you can slice for 1, but any leftovers can be served already sliced for the next event?

A big bowl of fruit salad will also be a useful thing to have in the fridge, and that can come out again at a second event.

Is it worth thinking about a cheeseboard?
Or large boxes of chocs that you decant into small bowls on the table for with coffee etc? Or mince pies?

Thanks so much for the ideas!

Biddy, yes the groups are overlapping, it's mainly dp's family and one couple will be coming to all of these.

I think I'll definitely do a lasagne for one of them but I don't think I'll fit a big one in my freezer so could maybe freeze the bolognaise and make it up on the day?

The slow cooker and I fell out after a very disappointing stew! I think I added too much fluid as it was just brown water with bits in. Can you do pulled pork in one? I think for the biggest one pulled pork sandwiches, a cheese board and mince pies might be ok,people are coming at lunchtime and stating for the afternoon. Maybe a chocolate log too.

I get very nervous about asking people to bring stuff.

I would make a list of meals that freeze well, like suggested with lasagne, and fill your freezer!

Curries are an option but if you use cream then rather leave that out and only add on the day you defrost your sauce!

If you don't want to cook in the SC, you can always use it to warm up things already cooked, and keep them warm while serving. Rather than totally losing faith in it.

(Disclaimer - I can make 1 dish - a pork hock with borolotti beans in apple juice thing - in the SC, but I do still manage to use it for heating duty at times).

So much for my idea of making a couple of things twice!!

Definitely don't feel bad about asking for things - is there something that 1 person makes that everyone loves? I would tend to focus on either starter or dessert items, or sides, or drinks/nibbles items, rather than a main element of the meal though.