What would you serve?

[Dementedswan]

On Christmas day I have 14 to cater for including 2 children. I don't have enough seating so serving up a traditional dinner is out. I thought I'd load the table up with Christmas goodies and people could help themselves buffet style.

Would you be happy to be served the following?

Turkey crown
Glazed gammon
Giant sausage roll
Coleslaw
Red cabbage
Pate and warm crusty bread
Festive salad
Roast potatoes
Dips and veg sticks
Tempura king prawns and sweet chilli dip
Smoked salmon blinks
Cheese board
Cranberry sauce

Chocolate reindeer cake
Pavlova
Spiced apple tart and cream

Is this too much, not enough? Or am I missing something?

Thank you if you read all that

Someone just do me an easy menu that will please everyone with minimum cooking time and fuss!

In my experience, the older generation need a chair and table and will find themselves one if necessary, e.g. pulling a chair up against a sideboard etc

The middle generation will want a real seat, and eat off their knees.

Teenagers will perch on chair arms and sofa backs, or stand, or sit on the floor.

Small children will either sit on parents or sit under tables.

I calculate seats accordingly

The biggest issue that I see with your menu is that the meat has to be cut, which is awkward if you don’t have a table. For buffets I would tend to serve food that is bite sized, and not too sloppy.

Is there any way to manage the seating? Get some cheap stools? Ask a few guests to bring a couple of extra chairs. Pick up some folding chairs in ikea?

I would try to seat every adult so how many does your dining room table seat normally. do you have a garden table and chairs you can bring in or even a wallpaper paste table? Covered with a table cloth or even an old sheet would work. If you don’t have enough chairs can any of your guests bring some with them?
Do you have enough plates? If not have a look in your local charity shop as odd plates are pennies to buy. A mix matched set of plates is better than trying to sea off of disposable or you could again ask your guests to bring some along with extra cutlery if needed.

Lay a blacket on the floor for the children with a side table if you have one.
Then just do a normal Christmas lunch. Slice the meat of
Turkey crown
Gammon
Roasties
Roasted veg of parsnips and carrots
Do stuffing in a foil tray so it comes out like flat jacks and then cut into portion sized squares.
Pigs in blankets
Yorkies
And whatever veg you like.
A big jug of gravy

You could either plate it up or lay it out in the kitchen so everyone fills their own plate.
I would probably plate the meat and roasties and the children’s meals then leave everyone to help themselves to the rest but whatever works best for you.

where's the dark turkey meat?, the breast is last to go in our house