Christmas night food

[Carrotcakeforbreakfast]

Hello all

This is our first year hosting and I'm a bit apprehensive. I'm not sure why ha.

Anyway we have 12 for Christmas lunch and then today it appears to have been decided that Christmas evening is here and we are hosting to the original 12 and adding another 6.

Other than the obvious cold cuts. What are you fail safe Christmas evening offerings?

It depends what time you eat your dinner as well. We prefer to eat dinner 5 or 6 and I have to wait a couple of hours before desert. If we get cheese and crackers down then it's amazing. We just can't ever manage much after dinner. Dessert is hard enough 😂

We often don't bother with pudding either. Or starters. Just a light breakfast, a huge dinner at about 2 and nibble on chocs later.

When I host I follow the same plan, I just vary the quantities.

12noon Post mass bacon sandwiches and champagne

4pm Main course and pudding with wine

8pm cheese board, crackers, fruit, nuts and chocolates with port/whiskey

Look your not a restaurant. Your already providing lunch for 12

In the evening everyone should bring something. Just provide the basics, stick of French bread, cheese and cold cuts from a packet. Maybe crisps. No simple whipping up a chilli and some baked potatoes ffs. It's your Christmas too. Personally I think they are all CFers to expect you to host Christmas dinner and 18 in the evening without any assistance

We usually have 19 for lunch so again a group effort. As we clear away we set up for tea so table pushed back and we put out biscuits, crackers box of sweets pudding and or dessert left overs, cheese cold meats and rolls and bread. We bung sausage rolls into the oven and that is it. It is a case of help yourself as you want it. We do not have anything like a sit down meal.

Cold turkey and ham
Cheese
Bread, crackers
A vase of celery
Dish of radishes
Tomatoes
Piccalilli
Pickled onions
Branston pickle
Mustard
Homemade chutney
Mayo
Crisps

Honestly I don't mind

The numbers just went higher than I expected. Next year it'll be another family members turn. We just all take it in turns. And everyone will chip in when they're here and I certainly won't be doing any clearing up.

I just wanted a couple of easy ideas and it most definitely won't be another sit down meal affair. I'm not that mad Haha