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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

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Original poster

Where to put the food

51 replies

fromtheshires · 12/08/2018 10:14

So I'm finally hosting Christmas this year after not being moved house in time last year.

The table is big enough, the food is all spreadsheeted, the freezer in the garage is on and purchasing has ensued to spread the cost.

The problem is, what do we do with the food itself on the day?

My parents have always put the meat onto platters and the trimmings into serving bowls and plonked on the table for everyone to help themselves throughout the meal.

My in laws have always left the food on the island in the kitchen where you grab your food, go through to the dining room and then eat

Both have their merits, the first is easier because you can have a little bit of this and a little bit of that on your plate and just top up as you see fit. The downside is it's a bit like a bun fight for the serving spoons to start off with.

The plate up then sit means the table can be decorated and look nice but once you are done you are done as I consider it rude to then go back up for more as it's in another room.

I'm conflicted because I want the amazing looking Christmas table but I also want to put the food on the table for everyone to just tuck in and not feel like they have to load their plate because they can't get up for more if they want to have some more food.

What do you all do?

OP posts:

bluechameleon · 12/08/2018 10:45

We have a kitchen diner so the table and the kitchen worktops are in the same room, so I have the accompaniments on the table and the bigger stuff on the side. Our table is nowhere near big enough to have all the meat and veg on it. At the PILs they plate up each serving in the kitchen and bring it to the table. I hate it because you get no choice over what you have.

00100001 · 12/08/2018 10:53

On the table is possible.

We spread the veggies out over a few. Owls.

Eg. Sprouts, carrots and peas Together, in 2 serving dishes

IncrediblySturdyPyjamas · 12/08/2018 10:55

We spread the veggies out over a few. Owls.

What a hoot your christmas must be.

This is literally the best christmas post in the history of christmas posts.

Thank you.

MaverickSnoopy · 12/08/2018 10:58

Everything goes on the table in serving dishes. When we had a smaller table it went in the kitchen. When on the table in serving dishes we've never had a bun fight, people only ever take it in turns and pass to one another.

Original poster

fromtheshires · 12/08/2018 11:30

bluechameleon, my grandparents do the same and I hate it as well so that's not an option for us as I like control over what we can eat as well.

mavericksnoopy bun fight was probably the wrong phrase to use. Its more of an everyone going in for the good stuff first like the roasts and pigs in blankets.

The kitchen diner is too small for the number of people coming over hence the need for use of the dining room, which is why the dilemma is happening. If there were a few of us it could easily be on the kitchen worktops but its just not possible :(

OP posts:

hilzilla · 12/08/2018 12:42

Why can't you do both, ie start off with dishes on the table with enough food for first helpings so everyone sits down together- and set out the remaining food as a buffet in the kitchen for second helpings

Ricekrispie22 · 12/08/2018 13:14

could you not put up a temporary table in the corner of the dining room for all of the food?

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 12/08/2018 17:06

I have too many people coming to fit the food onto the table, so I'll have a token holly leaf squashed in the middle as a decoration, and the food goes on a 1950s hostess trolley to one side. It's the only time we use the trolley but it makes me feel very grown up : )

YeTalkShiteHen · 12/08/2018 17:09

Could you do a folding table in the dining room for the food?

CocoLoco87 · 12/08/2018 17:10

Just imagining a table set with Christmas owls

CocoLoco87 · 12/08/2018 17:11

I like the idea of using an island or kitchen worktop for platters and having a nicely decorated table

LadyintheRadiator · 12/08/2018 17:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

NoWordForFluffy · 12/08/2018 17:35

Just have it in the kitchen and tell people to help themselves? It's only rude if that's not the intention!

Alanamackree · 12/08/2018 17:50

could you pass the dishes round the table for everyone to serve, one dish after another so it’s not a free for all, then as they get to the end of the table put them out in the kitchen (or clear a sideboard for them).

I consider it rude to then go back up for more as it's in another room It’s not rude if you, as the hostess, encourage it.

Original poster

fromtheshires · 12/08/2018 17:50

ladyintheradiator I have no issue with people leaving the room for other food at all. Ive re-read my post and I can see where you have come to that, but i meant i feel rude if i have to do it so theres a good chance others would as well. I just dont want people to feel like they are being rude by doing so and wanted a general consensus.

Its the same as when people say help yourself to drinks. Rarely people will do so compared to if the drinks are in the same room and already out.

OP posts:

ClashCityRocker · 12/08/2018 17:56

We have quite a small table, so tend to plate up the turkey, pigs in blankets, Yorkshire pudding and stuffing balls and have the veg on the table.

We do say there's more if you want it, but it does stop the traditional scrummage for the pigs in blankets.

There's never enough pigs in blankets.

GummyGoddess · 12/08/2018 17:59

We bought a hostess trolley for £3 on eBay. Everyone helps themselves and then it goes into the hostess trolley and we beg people to get second helpings.

StylishMummy · 12/08/2018 18:04

We plate up the meat, PIB, roasties and stuffing, then have serving dishes for veg, red cabbage, other spuds and then additional meat and 'good stuff'.
Everyone gets a fair share of the best stuff and can then refill at leisure

ThrownMuse · 12/08/2018 18:08

Owls!

ThrownMuse · 12/08/2018 18:08

I just can't get past the Owls!

supadupapupascupa · 12/08/2018 18:13

you plate up an average dinner for everyone and take it through to the set table. Once most people have finished, bring the leftovers through in bowls (there won't be as many to carry because is already eaten). By the time first sitting is done, around half the table will have had enough and there's less jostling for serving spoons etc.

supadupapupascupa · 12/08/2018 18:15

we have to allocate roast potatoes. we have a history of stealing them off each others plates (all light hearted and a lovely family tradition - in a weird way). you can get around the stolen roasts by licking them!

NapQueen · 12/08/2018 18:16

Put the plates in the kitchen wih the meats, yorkshires (starts a tangent) and stuffing. All veggies and gravy on the main table. As people take their time on the meats those at the table can veggie up one at a time.

Yumyumpigs · 12/08/2018 18:21

How about playing up Turkey and pigs in blankets then having veggies and sides and Owls on the table? Then you could always put more Turkey on a plate and bring it through for 2nds

WooYa · 12/08/2018 18:25

We plates up pigs in blankets (never enough!) and roast potatoes (we 'share' too supadupa) and meat (we have different) then everything else is on the table

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